Violet McKenzie, Australia’s First Female Electrician from Austi.

Mrs Mac Pioneering Engineer, Teacher and Wartime Legend 

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Florence Violet McKenzie (Mrs Mac)

1890-1982

‘Violet McKenzie, Australia’s First Female Electrician from Austi.’

Lived in Austinmer, Went to Thirroul Public School (Florence Wallace)

Won a scholarship to Sydney Girls High School, (travelled by train)

Australia’s First Female Electrical Engineer (Sydney Technical College)

Radio Sales and Repair shop, Royal Arcade Sydney

Married Cecil McKenzie then known as Violet McKenzie

First Australian Female Radio Telegraphist

First Female Member of the Wireless Institute of Australia

First woman to hold an Amateur Radio Licence in Australia

Founded the Electrical Association for Women (Australia)

Published the First woman’s guide for Cooking with Electricity

Published an Electrical Education guide for children

Corresponded regularly with Albert Einstein

Joined the Australian Women’s Flying Club, learned Morse Code

Formed the Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps

Trained over 3000 women in signals (Volunteer)

By 1945 she had trained over 12,000 men in Morse Code

Trained the First 14 women to start the WRANS

Was appointed an OBE in 1950

She continued scientific study, reading, gardening and jam making