Nancy Bentliegh

People reading my earlier posts may have been wondering what Nancy Bentleigh is.

It's the latest picture book I've illustrated and was written by Tracey Hawkins.
Everyone should buy it, because it's fabulous!

It really is a wonderful little piece of hidden Australian history. It's all about how a 6 year old girl became the first female member of the Australian Navy. True story - promise.

Nancy Bentley was bitten by a snake on the shores of Port Arthur in Tasmania. There was no medical help nearby so Nancy’s father rowed her out to the HMAS Sydney in the bay.
In 1920 women were not allowed on naval vessels. In order to comply with regulations Nancy Bentley was enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy. Nancy was six years of age and the first female to be inducted into the Royal Australian Navy. The Navy looked after her for eight days before discharging her because she was ‘required by her parents’.
A moving and fascinating true story.