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Pioneering Australian pilot Deborah Lawrie has seen her legendary battle with Ansett turned into a stage play.
Lawrie, who paved the way for female commercial pilots in Australia with her landmark High Court win over Ansett in 1979-80 and still flies for Virgin, recently attended a preview show of the play FLY GIRL at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre ahead of its opening on 22 October.
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The play, written by Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore, dramatises Lawrie’s “turbulent journey to becoming Australia’s first female commercial airline pilot”.
“Watching my battle on the stage has brought home to me just how hard that battle was,” Lawrie said in a video for LinkedIn.
“I never think of myself as a trailblazer, but as time’s gone on, I think the impact of what I did fighting a battle against discrimination that’s more seen now as trailblazing. So, I’m getting used to the role, let’s just say.”
In a note on the Ensemble Theatre’s website, Hegney and Moore said they had been “amazed and dumbfounded” to initially learn of Lawrie’s story.
“In the late 70s, at just 25 years old, Deborah Lawrie withstood the most unbelievable pressure for more than 18 months to become the first person to win a case under the Sex Discrimination Act. Her win paved the way for all Australian working women,” they said.
“Deb is a trailblazer in the true sense of the word. Over the last few years, we have had the privilege of getting to know the woman behind the legend.
“Deb is quietly formidable, unpretentious, witty and has more humility than one would expect from someone who has had such a profound effect on the world. She has been gracious and abundantly generous in sharing her life story with us.”
Dave Emerson, chief executive of Virgin Australia, said Lawrie is an “inspiration” to everyone at the airline.
“We feel incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our team and to cheer her on as her remarkable story is brought to life,” he said.
“Deborah has paved a path for women in aviation and FLY GIRL is a celebration of her incredible legacy and fighting spirit.
“Her story is celebrated at Virgin Australia and throughout the aviation community, and we are thrilled to see it inspire even more people when it takes the stage this month.”
FLY GIRL runs at the Ensemble Theatre until 22 November.
