NEWLY elected Sea Lake RSL Sub-Branch president Kerryanne Graham has marked a significant milestone for the branch, becoming the first female president to be elected.
Humbled and honoured by the nomination, Ms Graham has been a trailblazer for most of her life.
She’s never been afraid to break barriers, challenge norms and pave the way for future generations, having first joined the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force in 1979.
She said things were different back then, and the air force was very male-oriented, but that didn’t stop her from pursuing a career path she was destined for.
Following in the footsteps of her great-grandfather, who served in England, Ms Graham said she was looking for job security and something which would enable her “to give back”.
She was 17 years old when she boarded a plane and relocated from New South Wales to Victoria to join the WRAAF.
Upon landing in Melbourne, she was bussed to RAAF Base Laverton where she began her basic training.
“Six weeks later we marched proudly for family and friends as we graduated,” she said.
She had her sights set on becoming an airframe fitter, ensuring aircraft was well maintained and fit to fly.
Despite passing the required exams, she was told it was a male-orientated role.
Determined to push on, she enlisted as a general hand and was posted as support command at the St Kilda headquarters.
However, within six months, Ms Graham’s commanding officer told her she was “wasting her talents running errands” and was advised to re-muster in an administration clerk role.
“I had obtained the rank of Leading Aircraft Woman by this time, so in order to retain my rank on re-muster I had to pass the relevant trade test, which I did,” Ms Graham said.
It was during this time she met and later married her husband, a RAAF serviceman.
“At the time the WRAAF was being incorporated into the RAAF,” Ms Graham said.
“This now meant that servicewomen who married were allowed to remain serving, whereas previously it had meant being discharged.”
Along with her re-muster came a posting to a new base, RAAF Point Cook, where she became the administration clerk at The School of Languages.
“This was where different languages were taught to officers who would go on to become intelligence officers,” Ms Graham said.
She would often travel between Point Cook and Laverton, where English was taught to foreign military members serving in Australia.
Whilst on maternity leave, Ms Graham was advised she had been posted to the Medical Flight School, based at Point Cook.
“At this time my enlistment was about to expire,” she said.
“I was given the option of re-enlistment or to take my discharge.
“Although by now, it was no longer frowned upon to be married, it was not recommended to remain if you had children, as the Air Force did not look upon you as a family unit, so there was no guarantee that a serving married couple would be posted together.”
With this in mind, she was discharged.
Ms Graham said lots had changed since she was first enlisted and these days, family situations would be taken into account.
Despite being discharged, Ms Graham said she thoroughly enjoyed her time with the RAAF and wouldn’t change a thing.
“It was an honour to serve my Queen and country,” she said.
“And to follow in the footsteps of so many women and men who came before me.”
In her newest role, Ms Graham is looking forward to ensuring the local sub-branch continues to prosper.
While many rural RSL clubs face closure, Sea Lake continues to strengthen and maintain its membership base.
“We had a number of new members sign up on Anzac Day,” she said.
With new projects in the pipeline, Ms Graham said the club had recently launched Sea Lake military themed memorabilia, with proceeds being reinjected back into the local community.
“We have also reopened our kitchen and now provide meals every Sunday,” Ms Graham said.
Other projects on the drawing board include finishing the RSL commemorative garden and sourcing funding for an ambulant toilet.
