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

War at Our Door

Author: Irene Drummond

Citation:  Drummond, Irene. War at Our Door, Glen Waverley, Vic. : Sid Harta Publishers, 2011.

Summary:  This book is a panoramic take on life during World War II that is vast in scope and serves as the debut for the author, Irene Drummond. One portion of the book deals with the women of the Land Army. They have been deployed to the Queensland outback, providing voluntary assistance to property-owners (whose children and employees are absent due to the war). This is just one aspect of the tapestry that this work weaves. Those opposed to the idea of fighting are incorporated. The plight of prisoners of war is explored, as is the recuperation of soldiers that have come back home. Camaraderie is one of the major, overarching themes of this novel. Courage is another. The book serves as an example to readers of how people can come together during a tumultuous time. In other words, it is "an uplifting story of the courage of the Australian Land Army Girls in the face of adversity." - Front Cover.

Time Period(s):  World War II.

External Links:

Publisher's page
http://sidharta.com/title/War_at_Our_Door

Information about the author
http://sidharta.com/author/Irene_Drummond