Mary Anne Whiting

Wing Commander Mary Anne Whiting works in our History and Heritage Branch and she’s sure seen her fair share of #AusAirForce history first hand in her almost 50 years of service.

Born in Ipswich Mary Anne Whiting undertook a secretarial course at Kangaroo Point TAFE after finishing school at Year 10, the start of a varied career that has taken her around the world achieving many firsts in the process.

Starting work with a Breakfast Creek manufacturing company before “adjusting” her age to earn $75 a fortnight with an insurance company, Mary Anne Whiting has had an outstanding career in the ADF with the Royal Australian Air Force where she has had three different careers.

An airwoman, a senior non-commissioned officer and officer, Wing Commander Whiting’s career has been influenced by having great role models.

“Although I have been with the Air Force for a long time, to be honest with you I have not done anything extraordinary,” said Wing Commander Whiting.

“I owe my longevity in Air Force to three things - my timing has always been good; there have been times when I was in the right place at the right time; but more importantly many of the great experiences I have had is because I had terrific bosses and role models who gave me opportunities and then let me get on with the job.

“I have also been very fortunate to have many good people who have weaved their way in and out of my life and career,” she said.

Wing Commander Whiting’s career has seen her, on a number of occasions, a close bystander to historic events such as attending the Canonisation of Australia’s first Saint - a woman – Saint Mary of the Cross, (Sr. Mary MacKillop).

Today Wing Commander Whiting holds a very senior position in the Air Force’s History and Heritage Branch.

“Completing my fulltime service, I now work as a reservist as Deputy Director Community Engagement,” Wing Commander Whiting said.

“Under the leadership of the Director General Air Force History and Heritage Branch, I am responsible for advising the Branch on all aspects of external and internal communications relating to Air Force history and heritage, by promoting an awareness of Air Force history and heritage as a core value.

“I am also responsible for developing, executing and evaluating communications approaches designed to inform Air Force personnel, special interest groups, and the public of the roles, activities and work being undertaken by the Branch to promote and preserve Air Force history and heritage,” she said.