Famous Australians - Nancy Wake

                                             

"I hate wars and violence, but if they come I don't see why we women should just wave our men a proud goodbye and then knit them balaclavas."

As part of our  Australian History studies this year we are studying certain famous Australians. This week we read about Nancy Wake, female spy during World War 2. I really enjoyed learning about her life exploits which seemed both daring and courageous. I love learning about women who live extraordinary lives!

  ~ THE WHITE MOUSE ~

Nancy Wake, known by her enemies as the ‘White Mouse’ was an independent, determined beauty from North Sydney. Sparked with the thrill of travel when she was just 18, she arrived at London in 1933. From there she moved to Paris and received employment as a journalist. Soon she met and wed the rich Henri Fioccen (who was fourteen years older) with whom she lived in luxury and comfort until he was summoned to fight for the war. Nancy, in her eagerness to aid the war effort, taught herself to drive an ambulance.

When the Vichy Government gained power Nancy signed up with the Resistance and aided by her witty charm and intelligence, she conquered many challenging missions and collected valuable information. The Gestapo awarded her the nick-name ‘White Mouse’ because of her sensational ability to slip out of seemingly impossible traps. In 1943 her husband, sensing danger, imploringly urged her to flee France. Nancy crossed the rugged mountain border into Spain on foot within 47 hours and with no provisions, before reaching London and long sought safety. In London she joined the SOE (Special Operations Executive) where she was trained in explosives, surveillance, disarmament and even how to murder someone with her bare hands. Her unique, bubbly disposition was never dampened even in the most challenging situations. After completing the SOE course Nancy parachuted back into France with her determination, spirit and courage in tact.

After the War her bravery was rewarded with many prestigious medals. In 1949 she returned to her home country, Australia where she lived comfortably with her second husband until 2001 when she moved back to London….. forever a heroine.

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Since writing this I've found out Nancy was actually born in New Zealand and moved to Australia with her family when she was just 2 years old. In fact my auntie who lives in Auckland just told me that her own grandfather was a cousin to Nancy Wake. How amazing is that! 

Julia Morgan - a woman in the world of architecture.

In my last post, which centred upon architecture in photography, I began with a quote by Julia Morgan. It stated, "Architecture is a visual art and the buildings think for themselves", I was intrigued by this motto and researched it's creator; Julia Morgan. Apparently she was an American architect, the most important woman architect of her time. She lived during the early twentieth century and was the first woman to graduate from the University of California's Civil Engineering Program. She successfully conquered many difficulties for women in the fields of architecture and Engineering at a time before women could even vote.

Julia discovered her love for architecture from her cousin, and since she was introduced to the career she determinedly launched herself against the countless obstacles that barred her way. She continued her studies in Paris, becoming the first female student of Ecole des Beaux-Arts, which was recognised as the finest architect school of that time. Julia loved to design buildings that blended into the environment and surroundings, she never married, instead choosing to devote her time and concentration to her studies. Julia designed between six hundred to seven hundred buildings within the Californian district of the United States, leaving her masterpieces as both an enduring mark in the history of  female architects, and inspiration to women in general.

If you would like to read more about the life of Julia Morgan, or to view some of the buildings she designed, go here.
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