SALUTING THEIR SERVICE on ROTTNEST ISLAND

The Rottnest Voluntary Guides Association (RVGA) will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) first deployment of women to Rottnest Island during World War 2 with a special weekend, this coming Saturday and Sunday, 8 and 9 October 2022 between 10am and 3pm each day at historic Kingstown Barracks, Rottnest Island.

Not everyone knows about the military history of Rottnest and the part Rottnest played in the defence of Western Australia.

Rotto was part of Fortress Fremantle the combined coastal defences protecting Fremantle harbour and its submarine base during WW2. The women deployed to Rotto carried out a variety of technical tasks to assist with this defence.

Other services to be embraced in this commemoration will be the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS), Women’s Australian Auxiliary Airforce (WAAAF) and the Australian Army Nursing Services (AANS).

This weekend’s event, sponsored by Rottnest Island Authority, will highlight the rich military history Rottnest offers and explain the important role women played in it. Soon after the Second World War began, women from all over Australia signed up to serve their country. They moved into roles supporting Australia’s military activities, roles that had previously been undertaken by men. This change in roles also changed the way Australian women were represented in the media of the times.

The event will start on Saturday at 10 am with a welcoming ceremony. Saturday afternoon and Sunday will be more family focussed with interactive activities using key communication techniques from the war. Island visitors will have an opportunity to try their hand at using Semaphore Flags, send messages using morse code and operate signal lamps.

Throughout the weekend there will be interpretive displays activities and guided tours at Bickley Battery.

The RVGA hope you will come along and explore the important role Women played on Rottnest Island during WW2

While you’re here –