Here, There and Everywhere Else

All Those Years Ago: Part One

The year 1973 was a truly momentous time for me. Early that year, I'd put in an application for Ansett Airlines of South Australia as an air hostess. That's how the public referred to us back then. Other events in my life included appearing in a TV commercial. Another girl and I were chosen through a drama group I was attending.

Then, the offer of a first interview with the Airlines of South Australia flight supervisor, Anne Munro and another senior hostess. This seemed to go well, although of course I hoped for the second interview, which would mean I was coming closer to achieving my goal.

In late 1972, I had entered the Girl of the Year Quest, run by the then Adelaide Children's Hospital. I worked at the hospital at the time as a clerk in Medical Records and the Emergency counter. At the quest finals, I won a money raiser prize, as well as being one of two girls hand picked to attend the Adelaide Air Hostess Academy. Was that an omen? I never got around to taking up that prize, which I regret now, because in the meantime I was accepted by ASA. Would it have made me a better air hostess? Maybe, but I'll never know.

A few weeks later, I was offered a second interview, this time with Anne Munro and the general manager of ASA, Mr Mick Connelly. It was to take place at the airport.. Again, I felt confident that this interview had gone well,, so I left the airport with high hopes and fingers crossed .

I successfully passed my St Johns First Aid certificate, a prerequisite for joining the airlines.

I also booked a two week holiday in New Zealand. I'd always wanted to go and I thought, if I didn't get accepted by ASA, this holiday would compensate somewhat.

Then it came. The letter from ASA. I was accepted and was going to realise my dream to fly as a career.

I was over the moon and felt as if I was walking on air.

The letter asked me to commence training on the Monday 9thJuly 1973. What to do about my New Zealand trip? I was greedy and wanted both. Fortunately, my kind travel agent did some fancy footwork and managed to book me on a tour that finished on the 7thJuly.

Of course the New Zealand holiday was glorious, with some of the most magnificent scenery I'd ever seen in my life. I've been fortunate enough to be able to return three more times and will always be in love with this marvellous country. The holiday was even more enjoyable, as there was my position at ASA to look forward to. I was proud to say that I was going to become an air hostess. Two other girls on the tour rather sourly commented that air hostesses were just glorified waitresses, which was a common put down in those days. At first glance, I suppose some people might see the job like that, but as I was to discover, it involves so much more. I really didn't care anyway and wondered whether these girls may have just been a teeny bit jealous?

I landed back into Adelaide on the eighth of July, on  a bleak, cold wintry day with fog threatening to close down the airport.

Next morning, the weather had cleared. Today was my big day and was to lead to the most wonderful adventures, at this stage, beyond my imagining.

After getting a ride with my dad into the city, as I wasn't driving then, I caught a suburban bus to the gates of Adelaide Airport and walked all the way to the hostess lounge, which was further than it first appeared. I didn't know then that I could have gone to the Ansett city terminal on North Terrace and caught an Ansett bus, which would have taken me straight to the door of the terminal .However, I was very young (22), eager and more than a bit naïve and it all seemed like part of the adventure.

I'd dressed carefully that morning as naturally I wanted to create a favourable impression to the airport staff. I'd put on a favourite pale blue angora dress and pale blue suede shoes, so thank goodness it wasn't raining.

Many of you will realise that this old Adelaide terminal no longer exists and we had a brand spanking new one in 2006. I also worked there, in the newsagency and gift shop, Newslink, but that's a story for another day.