Jean Burns and Nancy Bird Walton in 2006
Within my continued research into Australian Women pioneering in aviation came across Ms. Burns who was the first Australian woman to parachute in Australia, and remarkably held the title of youngest female pilot of 15 years which is a great achievement! While not as widely known, nor praised as her counter part Mrs. Nancy Bird-Walton and her involvement in both the flying medical service and AWPA this does not down play her achievements which continue to showcase the tenacity and fearlessness of Australian women.
As Mrs. Burns was the first woman in Australia to parachute at the age of 17, she’d originally planned to jump at the age of 16! However, Mrs. Burns elected to wait as the price of a parachute was very expensive which at the time was 80 pounds which is roughly around 100 AUD today, if not more. After all, I’m a switchboard operator not a mathematical genius! As Ms. Burns continued to work on her jumping and parachuting abilities, she was threatened with arrest if she attempted again. This fortunately did not come to pass but continues to showcase the tenacity and independence of Australian women against the discrimination of female aviators during the 20th century, towards the end of her life, Ms. Burns met with Nancy Bird-Walton for the first time 2006 although they’d been aware of each other for many years.
Her legacy of tenacity and determination in her works, from the threat of arrest to the various injuries that she endured during her many jumps never failed to daunt her.
Ms. Burns remains an important figure for early female aviators in Australia and deserves to have her achievements not be contained to a street name or simply left to gather dust.
Submitted by Dayna Scott
