'Garage girls' vital in WWII efforts honoured in Australia Day Awards
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In times of turmoil, honour and glory are thought to be reserved for those who are seen on the front lines.
However, the recent Australia Day awards prove that those behind the scenes can, and should, receive recognition for their hard work and dedication as well.
In the garage of a Brisbane suburban mansion that served as an undercover base some eighty years ago at the height of the Second World War, three brave women were among those who put their skills to the test with every keystroke.
Coral Hinds, Joyce Grace, and Ailsa Hale were among a group of codebreakers working on hugely important war efforts at the Central Bureau — and almost a century later, they have finally been rewarded for their diligence.
The women, now aged between 98 and 100, were awarded the Australian Intelligence Medal in recognition of their service during World War II when they worked around the clock deciphering encrypted messages from German and Japanese forces in order to assist Allied victories in the Pacific.
Most notable among their contributions was in the Battle of Midway of June 1942, an encounter won by Allied forces which is credited for stopping further Japanese expansion in the Pacific.
Furthermore, their invaluable efforts to the cause have been credited as part of the intelligence that led to the shooting down of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto while on a routine inspection tour of bases in 1943.
Yamamoto was an incredibly significant figure in the Imperial Japanese Navy fleet who is said to have advocated in Japan for the infamous attack on Pearl Harbour two years earlier in 1941.
Hinds, now 98, fondly recalled her days as a 'Garage Girl' and said she was proud of the recognition finally coming to light.
‘It’s quite unexpected,’ she admitted.
‘All the time I worked with the Central Bureau, I’ve met some wonderful girls. It’s those girls that I’m still friends with and, knowing that they have the same thoughts about privacy and work and all those things we held so dear in our work, that’s the thing I remember most.’
The activities of the Central Bureau and the entire network of Allied intelligence groups at large are said to have led to the earlier end of the Second World War.
However, due to the highly sensitive matter of their work, the efforts of the so-called Garage Girls were kept secret for decades after the war.
'(Our work was) very hush-hush,' Hinds said, as she remembered decoding messages sent in five-letter groups.
‘There were some very important messages, but we didn’t always know how important they were.’
The Australian Intelligence Medal was awarded to Grace just five weeks before her centennial birthday.
Rachel Noble, the current Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) — Australia's builder and defender of national security networks — said there was no more fitting tribute to the legacy of the 'Garage Girls'.
‘The Australian Intelligence Medal rightly recognises the significance of their service and sacrifice to signals intelligence and Australia’s war effort,’ she said.
‘The enduring legacy of the “Garage Girls” continues today. They are our modern-day heroines and an inspiration to our people.’
‘As ASD celebrates its 75th anniversary year, we still stand on their shoulders.
‘The work they did in harsh conditions shortened the war and no doubt saved many lives. It is humbling for us all to finally see their incredible achievements recognised.’
The Seniors Discount Club is one with Australia in honouring Coral Hinds, Joyce Grace and Ailsa Hale for their remarkable service. Their contributions will forever be remembered.
You can find out more about Australia’s World War II Garage Girls in this 2021 episode of The Project, which features Hines and Grace.
Source: YouTube/The Project
You can also read more about who was recognised as Australia’s 2023 Senior of the Year here!
So, what is your reaction to the efforts of Hines, Joyce, and Hale being honoured decades after their service?
Tell us your thoughts below!
However, the recent Australia Day awards prove that those behind the scenes can, and should, receive recognition for their hard work and dedication as well.
In the garage of a Brisbane suburban mansion that served as an undercover base some eighty years ago at the height of the Second World War, three brave women were among those who put their skills to the test with every keystroke.
Coral Hinds, Joyce Grace, and Ailsa Hale were among a group of codebreakers working on hugely important war efforts at the Central Bureau — and almost a century later, they have finally been rewarded for their diligence.
The women, now aged between 98 and 100, were awarded the Australian Intelligence Medal in recognition of their service during World War II when they worked around the clock deciphering encrypted messages from German and Japanese forces in order to assist Allied victories in the Pacific.
Most notable among their contributions was in the Battle of Midway of June 1942, an encounter won by Allied forces which is credited for stopping further Japanese expansion in the Pacific.
Women were called upon by the Australian Government to serve either in the army or in factories during World War II, Hinds said in 2021. Image Credit: YouTube/The Project
Furthermore, their invaluable efforts to the cause have been credited as part of the intelligence that led to the shooting down of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto while on a routine inspection tour of bases in 1943.
Yamamoto was an incredibly significant figure in the Imperial Japanese Navy fleet who is said to have advocated in Japan for the infamous attack on Pearl Harbour two years earlier in 1941.
Hinds, now 98, fondly recalled her days as a 'Garage Girl' and said she was proud of the recognition finally coming to light.
‘It’s quite unexpected,’ she admitted.
‘All the time I worked with the Central Bureau, I’ve met some wonderful girls. It’s those girls that I’m still friends with and, knowing that they have the same thoughts about privacy and work and all those things we held so dear in our work, that’s the thing I remember most.’
The activities of the Central Bureau and the entire network of Allied intelligence groups at large are said to have led to the earlier end of the Second World War.
However, due to the highly sensitive matter of their work, the efforts of the so-called Garage Girls were kept secret for decades after the war.
'(Our work was) very hush-hush,' Hinds said, as she remembered decoding messages sent in five-letter groups.
‘There were some very important messages, but we didn’t always know how important they were.’
The Australian Intelligence Medal was awarded to Grace just five weeks before her centennial birthday.
In the 1940s, Hines joined Australia’s war effort at just 18 years old. Image Credit: YouTube/The Project
Rachel Noble, the current Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) — Australia's builder and defender of national security networks — said there was no more fitting tribute to the legacy of the 'Garage Girls'.
‘The Australian Intelligence Medal rightly recognises the significance of their service and sacrifice to signals intelligence and Australia’s war effort,’ she said.
‘The enduring legacy of the “Garage Girls” continues today. They are our modern-day heroines and an inspiration to our people.’
‘As ASD celebrates its 75th anniversary year, we still stand on their shoulders.
‘The work they did in harsh conditions shortened the war and no doubt saved many lives. It is humbling for us all to finally see their incredible achievements recognised.’
The Seniors Discount Club is one with Australia in honouring Coral Hinds, Joyce Grace and Ailsa Hale for their remarkable service. Their contributions will forever be remembered.
You can find out more about Australia’s World War II Garage Girls in this 2021 episode of The Project, which features Hines and Grace.
Source: YouTube/The Project
You can also read more about who was recognised as Australia’s 2023 Senior of the Year here!
So, what is your reaction to the efforts of Hines, Joyce, and Hale being honoured decades after their service?
Tell us your thoughts below!
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