Visit to Townsville makes Dot's year

Volume 48, No. 20, November 2, 2006

By FLGOFF Tanya Carter

IT was a trip down memory lane for No 27 (City of Townsville) Squadron recently when it hosted a former WRAAF, 82-year-old Dorothy Laurie, at RAAF Base Townsville.

MEMORIES: Dorothy Laurie (centre) with members of 27SQN.  Photo by CPL Shane Gidall

Dorothy and her daughter Kaye joined in with 27SQN CO SQNLDR Geoff Kimmins and other squadron members for a morning filled with esprit de corps and war stories from Dorothy’s years as a clerk in the WRAAF.

Dorothy joined the WRAAF in 1943 aged 19 and completed her six-week recruit training course at Sandgate in Brisbane.

She was first posted to clerical duties at the local HQ where she ran the clothing store responsible for kitting out new airmen.

SQNLDR Kimmins said that Dorothy’s visit highlighted the continuity of Air Force values and traditions.

“For all those who made contact and listened to Dorothy, it was a case of the more things change, the more they stay the same,” he said.

“Overcoming obstacles and making best use of what was available was a recurring theme, as was looking out for one another. We still pride ourselves on doing this today. Dorothy has also reminded us that values were around then, it was inherent in our people.”

At 82, she still walks the Sydney Harbour Bridge five times a week and travels north to Townsville annually to enjoy its warmer winter weather. “I felt a bit nervous when I first arrived at the mess, but the people I met soon made me feel at home,” Dorothy said. “This visit has made my year.”

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