English
In this first installment of Women's History Month spotlights, we highlight Florence Violet McKenzie , a woman who broke barriers in electrical engineering and technical education. As the first female electrical engineer in Australia, she played a critical role in advancing women's participation in technical fields, with other contributions in electrical work, wartime training, and technical education for women.
A portrait of McKenzie, part of an album of portraits of early members of the Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps.
'Mademoiselle Edison' Gets Her Start
McKenzie’s interest in electronics began early . She reportedly experimented with wiring at home and, despite financial barriers that prevented her from enrolling in technical courses, she set up her own electrical contracting business in 1918.
Working for her business as an apprentice, she eventually had enough practical experience to meet the requirements for a diploma in electrical engineering from Sydney Technical College. This officially made her Australia’s first female electrical engineer, and she was dubbed "Mademoiselle Edison" as a result.
McKenzie’s electrical shop circa 1928. Her maiden name, "Wallace," is listed on the shop.
McKenzie quickly applied her skills in the industry. In 1921, she opened a radio sales and repair shop in Sydney’s Royal Arcade, which became known as "the oldest radio shop in town." The shop became a key hub for early radio enthusiasts and an essential resource for the growing radio technology market in Australia.
A year later, in 1922, she became the first woman in Australia to obtain an amateur radio operator’s license, call sign VK2GA. By 1924, she had also earned certification as a radio telegraphist and was the first female member of the Wireless Institute of Australia. In the years that followed, McKenzie actively contributed to Australia’s growing radio community by providing repair services, designing circuits, and mentoring aspiring radio operators. This earned her widespread respect, even among male counterparts who were initially skeptical of her capabilities.
Training Women in Technical Fields
McKenzie fundamentally believed that all women should have access to technical education in Australia. In 1934, she founded the Electrical Association for Women (EAW), an organization that taught women how to use electrical appliances. The EAW also provided structured courses on electrical theory and safety, empowering women to handle household wiring and electrical repairs.
This was revolutionary at a time when electrical knowledge was considered solely a man's domain. In 1936, she published the EAW Cookery Book, Australia’s first guide to electric cooking, which educated women on how to safely and efficiently use electric stoves and appliances. In 1938, she expanded her educational outreach with The Electric Imps, a book aimed at teaching children about electricity through engaging stories and illustrations.
A room of the Electrical Association for Women, circa 1936.
Seeing the potential for women to work in technical fields, McKenzie extended her advocacy beyond household technology and actively trained women in electrical and radio communication skills. This laid the fundamental groundwork for greater female participation in Australia’s technical workforce, something that would prove to be invaluable just a few years later with the outbreak of World War II.
The Founding of WESC and WRANS
McKenzie’s influence grew significantly during the war. In 1938, she joined the Australian Women’s Flying Club and trained women pilots in Morse code, a then-essential skill for military aviation. Recognizing the urgent need for communication specialists, she founded the Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps (WESC) in early 1939, offering free courses in Morse code and signaling. By the start of the war, she had trained nearly 1,000 women.
McKenzie’s trainees proved so effective that she persuaded the Naval Board in 1941 to accept 14 of her graduates, forming the foundation of the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service (WRANS). This marked the first time women were formally integrated into naval signaling roles. Throughout the war, McKenzie trained approximately 12,000 servicemen and women in signaling techniques, including Morse code, visual signaling, and international code.
The Ripple Effects of McKenzie's Achievements
McKenzie's contributions didn’t go unnoticed. She was appointed an honorary flight officer in the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force in 1941, making her one of the few women with an official military designation. In recognition of her wartime service, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1950. In 1980, a plaque was dedicated to her at Mariners’ Church, Flying Angel House in Sydney, honoring her contributions to Australian defense and technical education.
McKenzie’s influence extended beyond her lifetime. Her trainees went on to become instructors themselves, ensuring that her knowledge and methods were passed down through generations. Many of the women she trained later took on roles in engineering, radio communications, and aviation, breaking further barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
McKenzie passed away in May 1982 at the age of 91 in Sydney, Australia.
