Girls' Own War Stories

Citation: Girls’ Own War Stories, Australia : Australian Broadcasting Corporation, c2011. (1 DVD)

Summary:  This fifty-five minute documentary focuses on the women of the Land Army as well as the Voluntary Aid Detachment. The absence of a significant proportion of fighting-aged men created openings within the home front that needed to be filled - namely in positions such as code breaking, working in a factory or searchlight operation. There was, however, still a need for women abroad as nurses. With this as a backdrop, Girl's Own War Stories relays the personal accounts of twelve women. It shows the challenges that they faced and the barriers that they had to struggle to overcome. Even the sensibilities and social mores of the time are taken into account and elaborated upon. Further enhancing the experience is the inclusion of archival materials. This work highlights a point in history that would set an important precedent, helping to pave the way for greater employment opportunities for women in Australia.

Time Period(s):  World War II

External Links:

ABC shop page
https://shop.abc.net.au/girls-own-war-stories-dvd

Sydney Morning Herald article
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/girls-own-war-stories-thursday-april-21-20110418-1dkvp.html