Fleet Air Arm Museum, Australia

11/09/2026

Nowra Christian School came to visit the museum and had a wonderful time participating in one of our classroom activities.
We love it when schools can come and learn through interaction with our collection

10/09/2026

In 1939, the Women's Emergency Signal Corps (WESC) was formed by Florence Violet McKenzie, Australia's first certified electrical engineer. Mrs Mac, as she became known, was responding to the impending threat of war by training women to work as radio operators. She proposed integrating the WESC into the and, after some persistence, the first WRANS were enlisted in April 1941.

The WRANS were stationed at HMAS Harman in the ACT. Many contributed to a world-wide communications network supporting the Commonwealth and its allies. Others conducted signals intelligence duties for Fleet Radio Unit Melbourne (FRUMEL). The women worked shifts ensuring that radio communications were maintained 24 hours a day. Harman's communications facilities formed the most powerful wireless base in the British Empire and the largest naval station in the Southern Hemisphere.

By the end of the war, the WRANS boasted over 3000 members, with 109 graduating as officers. They didn't just work as signal operators, they were also administrators, recruiters, mechanics, journalists, messengers, and educators.

The WRANS were disbanded in 1948 but reinstated with the advent of the Korean War just a few years later. Women have been a part of the ever since.

Learn more about the story of the WRANS at the Women in Navy exhibition currently open at the Fleet Air Arm Museum

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25/08/2026

When you come to see at the FAAM, you won't just see the stories of famous women. There's a timeline of women's achievements in the Royal Australian Navy that will just keep growing. We're always collecting more stories too, so leave your story in the book under the timeline and become a part of Navy heritage.
If you can't make it to the museum, then send an email to [email protected] and we'll make sure it's included.

12/08/2026

Ruby Boye (1891-1990) grew up in Sydney and moved to Tulagi, in the Solomon Islands, when she married Sydney Jones in 1919. Later they moved to Vanikoro Island, in the Santa Cruz group, where Sydney ran the Vanikoro Timber Company.

At the outbreak of WWII, the company's radio operator taught Ruby how to use the radio and transmit voice messages before he left for Australia to join the RAAF. Ruby taught herself Morse code, took over the radio, and joined the Coastwatchers.

In May 1942, the Japanese occupied Tulagi and Guadalcanal. Invasion of Santa Cruz felt imminent and most European inhabitants evacuated. Ruby and Sydney elected to stay. Ruby continued to relay messages between Coastwatchers reporting enemy activity and sent daily weather reports.

Being civilians, the Coastwatchers risked being arrested as spies if they were ever caught assisting the allies. The Royal Australian Navy, therefore, granted them rank as a protection. In July 1943, Ruby was appointed Third Officer, WRANS.

Ruby's daily routine involved trudging through mud, and across a river four times a day to make her radio reports. She also helped the locals to manage food shortages and medical care.

The Japanese were aware of Ruby and sent threatening messages to her. This didn't deter her though, and she even took some pride at having got under their skin.

Ruby only left Vanikoro in 1947 when Sydney became seriously ill. She lived out the remainder of her days in Australia where she died at age 99 in 1990.

Ruby Boye is featured in the exhibition, Women in Navy, currently showing at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

24/07/2026

Don't forget to come see the Women in Navy exhibition. Open until November.

15/07/2026

Nancy Bentley was six-years-old, in 1920, when she became the first female enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy, and the youngest recruit ever.

Nancy had been playing with her brothers near her home in Port Arthur, Tasmania, when she was bitten by a snake. The nearest doctor was four hours away by horse and buggy and her father was afraid she wouldn't make it that far. So, he made the quick decision to take her to nearby Carnarvon Bay where HMAS Sydney was anchored.

Commanding Officer, Henry Cayley, wanted to help but Navy rules prohibited him letting women on board the ship. Thinking quickly, he enlisted Nancy with the number 000001 and designation "Mascot", enlisted "'til fed up".

Nancy was on board Sydney for eight days, during which time she was doted on by the ship's crew. They made her a uniform and brought her with them to Hobart where they went to the cinema.
She was discharged on 23 November 1920, with the reason given "being required by her parents".

Nancy always remembered her time on HMAS Sydney fondly and often talked about the VIP treatment she received.

In 1986, Nancy became a lifetime member of the HMAS Sydney Association - an honour only extended to those who have served on one of the five ships named Sydney.

Nancy Bentley is featured in the exhibition Women in Navy currently showing at the Fleet Air Arm Museum.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/women-in-navy-exhibition-tickets-1991884184215?aff=oddtdtcreator

12/06/2026

We have a new exhibition opening at the museum.

Women in Navy tells the story of women's service in the Royal Australian Navy, as serving members, trail blazers, record-setters, family members and leaders.

The exhibition will be open to the public from the 3rd of July and will run until the end of the year.

Don't miss it!

31/03/2026

The Easter long weekend and school holidays are upon us! The FAAM will be open from 10 to 4 on all public holidays and then Tuesday to Sunday from 7 April to 19 April.

We look forward to seeing you there.

20/03/2026

20/03/2026

Good morning Sydney! There's going to be a good show on the harbour today.