Irene Dean-Williams
Irene Dean-Williams | |
|---|---|
Irene Dean-Williams in Adelaide, April 1932 during her Perth–Sydney record-breaking flight | |
| Aviation career | |
| Full name | Irene Dean-Williams |
| First flight | 1931 |
| Famous flights | first woman to fly between Perth and Sydney return in 1932 |
Irene Selina Dean-Williams (12 July 1903 – 3 July 1946) was a pioneer aviator. She was the first woman to obtain a commercial pilot license and became the first woman pilot to own an aircraft in Western Australia.[1] She is best known for making a record-breaking flight from Perth to Sydney.
Early life and education
Dean-Williams was born Selina Irene Schmidt at Warracknabeal, Victoria on 12 July 1903.[2] Her father died a year later and, following her mother's remarriage to Harry Dean-Williams in 1910, she and her sisters adopted their stepfather’s surname. After the family moved to Perth, Western Australia, she was educated at Perth College in Mount Lawley.[2]
Career
Dean-Williams obtained her private pilot’s licence on 30 May 1931.[3] She then obtained a commercial pilot’s licence in late 1932. Her mother bought her a bi-plane and the renowned Harry “Cannon-Ball” Baker gave her flight instruction.
In 1932 she made a record-breaking flight. She was the first woman to fly between Perth and Sydney return. Sponsored by Berlei Clothing Company, Dean-Williams left Perth on 27 March 1932 arriving in Sydney on 20 April 1932. Her return flight left Sydney eight days later. Flying at 80 miles per hour she returned to Perth on 27 April 1932.[4]
Personal
Dean-Williams married Lance Corporal William John McGushion on 16 May 1942.[5]
She died of cancer on 3 July 1946[6] and was buried in Northam Cemetery.[7]
Legacy
A building is named after Dean-Williams at Perth Airport.[8]
A collection of her papers was donated to the J.S.Battye Library of West Australian History in 2008.[6]
References
- ^ "DEAN-WILLIAMS, Irene Selina". National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame. National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Trailblazing Aviator Irene Dean-Williams' Record Sydney–Perth Flight". Perth College. 2 May 2024. Archived from the original on 5 August 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- ^ "DEAN-WILLIAMS, Irene Selina - 12/7/1903 | Women's Museum of Australia". wmoa.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ "MISS DEAN-WILLIAMS". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 29, 431. New South Wales, Australia. 3 May 1932. p. 9. Retrieved 15 April 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Wedding: McGushion–Dean-Williams". The Weekly Gazette. Vol. XIV, no. 890. Western Australia. 5 June 1942. p. 1. Retrieved 28 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b "DEAN-WILLIAMS, Irene, 1903–1946" (PDF). State Library of Western Australia. Western Australian Government. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Family Notices". The Daily News. Vol. LXIV, no. 22, 225. Western Australia. 3 July 1946. p. 7 (Home Edition). Retrieved 28 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Shield, Helen (8 March 2017). "$8 million upgrade brings lease turnaround joy". The West Australian. The West Australian. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.