Eight flags will be displayed to honour eight women from Bayside who served in war: Elsie Barker, Ruby Beard, Lilian Brennan, Nancy Cartwright, Gwendolen Cohen, Eileen Fazakerley, Gwendoline Gregory, and Nita Hayes.

Learn more about each of these women below.

Elsie Maud Barker, 98744 RAAF Corporal WWII, Botany

Elsie joined the WAAAF in July 1942, at 18 years old. On enrollment, Elsie was enlisted as a trainee cook and was later remustered to cook. Elsie was discharged from service in December 1944.

Lilian May Brennan, 109876 RAAF Aircraftwoman WWII, Botany

Lilian enlisted into the WAAAF August 1943 at age 19. Lilian served as a fabric worker until her discharge in October 1946.

Gwendoline Lorna Gregory, 92550 RAAF Corporal WWII, Bexley

Gwendoline enlisted in October 1941, at the age of 18. Gwendoline worked as a clerk, posted across a number of depots until being discharged in March 1944.Gwendolen Mary Cohen, 93620 RAAF Corporal WWII, Ramsgate

Gwendolen was a Ramsgate resident when she enlisted in the WAAAF April 1942 at 18 years of age. Gwendolen served in the WAAAF as a clerk general, a clerk and a recorder. Gwendolen married Leon Cohen (35742), a wireless operator in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1944. She was working at Air Defence HQ Sydney when she was discharged January 1946.

Eileen Theresa Fazakerley, 93622 RAAF Corporal WWII, Bexley

Eileen enlisted into the WAAAF at 21 years of age. Eileen served as a clerk general and a clerk. Eileen was discharged from service in September 1945. 

Ruby Violet Gladys Beard, 106700 RAAF Corporal WWII, Sans Souci

Ruby enlisted into the WAAAF October 1942 at the age of 26. Ruby joined the WAAAF, where she worked as a storekeeper and an equipment assistant. Ruby was married to Flight Lieutenant Warwick Brian Poulton (402752) of the 122 Squadron.Ruby was posted at 2 Stores Depot Waterloo upon her discharged in July 1945. 

Nancy Lauraine/Lorraine Cartwright, 107813 RAAF Sergeant WWII, Eastlakes

Nancy was 18 when she enlisted into the WAAAF in November 1942. Nancy worked as a cypher assistant within the WAAAF. Nancy was a sergeant in the Telecommunications and Communications Unit and posted at Melbourne Wireless/Telegraphic Station at the time she requested to be discharged from service in August 1944. 

Nita Mary Hayes, 109150 RAAF Corporal WWII, Brighton Le Sands

Nita was 24 years old when she enlisted into the WAAAF April 1943, she worked as a cypher assistant. Her husband, George Rennie Hayes (N26002) had enlisted into the Army in August 1940 and was called up for full time duty in October 1940 until being discharged December 1942. Nita was a corporal, posted at Air Force Headquarters Melbourne when she was discharged in September 1946.