Perth College News

A Remarkable Old Girl: Irene Dean-Williams

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Perth College

2 May 2024

Community

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Irene Selina Dean-Williams was a trailblazing aviator, known for her ground-breaking achievements in the field of aviation. Born Selina Irene Schmidt on July 12, 1903, in Warracknabeal, Victoria, she was the third daughter of John August and Selina Matilda Schmidt. Tragically, her father passed away in 1904, and her mother remarried Harry Dean-Williams in 1910. Irene and her sisters adopted their stepfather’s surname, becoming known as the Dean-Williams family.

Dean-Williams’ passion for aviation ignited early on, fuelled by her adventurous spirit and determination. In 1931, she earned her private pilot’s license, a remarkable feat for a woman of her time. This achievement was made possible by her mother’s support, who purchased a bi-plane for her, and the guidance of renowned aviator Harry “Cannon-Ball” Baker, who provided flight instruction.

One of Dean-Williams’ most notable accomplishments came 94 years ago, in April and May of 1932 when she was sponsored by the Berlei Clothing Company for a historic flight from Sydney, New South Wales to Maylands Aerodrome in Perth. This journey not only showcased her piloting skills but also broke barriers, demonstrating that women could excel in the male-dominated field of aviation.

“We notice with pride the achievement of Irene Dean-Williams. As everyone knows, she has just returned from Sydney in her light aeroplane, being the first woman to fly across Australia. We have succeeded in procuring the photograph of her taken at Maylands upon her return. We offer her our warmest congratulations.

Irene Dean-Williams left Western Australia on Sunday, March 27, 1932, and reached Sydney on April 21. She began her return journey on April 21, and arrived at Maylands on Monday, May 2. She has promised us a more detailed account of her voyage later.

The return trip took four and a half days, which stands as a record, and Irene has the honour of having been the first woman pilot to fly solo from Sydney to Perth.”

Myola (1932), Of Interest To Old Girls, page 20.

The photo above was probably taken at Tammin, WA on 2 May 1932 where Irene had just landed in her Moth after completing a trans-Australian solo record-breaking flight for a woman aviator.

Her mother had been flown out from Maylands to meet her by Mr. Baker in a club Moth. Due to bad weather, she did not complete her solo flight to Maylands until the following day. -UJH became a RACWA club aircraft itself in 1937 and was then sold to a private party in Kalgoorlie before passing to the Western Australian Goldfields Aero Club, also of that city. It was impressed into service during WWII as A7-77.

http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austu/austu/VH-UJH.html accessed 28 Feb 2024

Upon her return to Western Australia, Dean-Williams continued to push boundaries, obtaining her commercial pilot’s license. Her dedication and passion for flying were evident in her pursuit of excellence in the skies.

In 1942, Irene married William McGushion, however, her remarkable life was tragically cut short when she succumbed to cancer in July 1946. She was laid to rest alongside her parents in Northam, Western Australia, leaving behind a legacy of courage, perseverance, and pioneering spirit in aviation history.

In 2017, her legacy was further honoured with the naming of a building at Perth Airport. The Irene Dean-Williams Building stands as a testament to her pioneering achievements in aviation and her significant contributions to Western Australia’s aviation history. This recognition not only immortalizes her name but also serves as an enduring reminder of her ground-breaking accomplishments, inspiring future generations of aviators and trailblazers. The building’s dedication to Irene Dean-Williams symbolizes the lasting impact of her passion, determination, and indomitable spirit in shaping the course of aviation history in Australia, and of course that Perth College Girl became yet another Remarkable Woman!