Liverpool hails official naming of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport
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4 March 2019
Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller has welcomed the official naming of Western Sydney Airport after Nancy-Bird Walton, Australia’s first female pilot licensed to carry passengers.
“I’m so pleased with this announcement. I was fortunate enough to meet Nancy-Bird Walton on a number of occasions,” Mayor Waller said. “It was such an honour, she’s a trailblazer, but was humble enough to share her adventures with me.”
The choice of name – Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport was fitting for many reasons, Mayor Waller said.
Nancy-Bird Walton
“I suggested our new airport be named after her many times. Nancy-Bird Walton did things differently. She was undoubtedly brave being Australia’s first female pilot.
“She was tough too, leaving school at 13 to assist the family. By 17 she was learning to fly.”
“We too are doing things differently. Liverpool is the Gateway City to Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and Sydney is paying attention to us now as Sydney’s Third CBD. We’re going to be the engine for this city in future thinking and in action.
“We are also roughly equidistant between Kingsford Smith Airport and Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport.
“Nancy-Bird Walton was taught to fly by Charles Kingsford Smith, the first person to fly across the mid-Pacific, so there is lots of symmetry there.”
Mayor Waller said she was proud to lead a city that puts gender equality in practice.
“Only 3 per cent of Australia’s commercial airline pilots are female,” she said. “Young women should not be discouraged by these statistics, there are plenty of opportunities available.
“Council is actively involved in organising events that provide information about careers in aviation to young women, such as the Making the Connection: Girls in Aviation where female pilots spoke about their experiences in the field.”
“As women in leadership positions, we hold great responsibility in the decisions we make and the legacy we leave behind,” she said.