Eleanor Manning
Encyclopedia
Eleanor Manning OBE (1906-03-21 - 1986-11-21) was a member of the Women's Australian National Services and became the most senior officer of the Australian Women's Army Service
(AWAS) in the State of New South Wales
. Manning was active in Girl Guiding both in Australia
and internationally.
Born in 1906, Manning was the daughter of Sir Henry and Lady Manning.
When the Australian Women's Army Service was established in October 1941, Manning was appointed Assistant Controller, Eastern Command with the rank of Major. After attending the first Officers Training School held at Yarra Junction, Victoria
in November 1941, she returned to Sydney
and commenced duty at Headquarters Victoria Barracks, Sydney. She and her staff were responsible for the recruitment and initial training of all AWAS enlistments in New South Wales. In 1943, Manning became Deputy Controller to the Controller, Colonel Sybil Irving
MBE of the AWAS, at their Headquarters in Melbourne.
Manning also served as Commanding Officer at the Australian Women's Services Officers' School, Darley, Victoria. This post combined the training of both the AWAS and the Australian Army Medical Women Service Officers.
In 1946, Manning and three other Girl Guides went to Malaya to serve with the Guide International Service (GIS) to work on post war rehabilitation. In 1955, she became Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Australia (1955–1962) and later a member of the World Committee of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
(1960–1969). Manning became Australian International Commissioner and was a driving force in the establishment of Sangam.
Manning was awarded the Beaver (1938), Silver Fish
(1954), O.B.E. (1959) for services as Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Australia, King George VI Coronation Medal
and the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
.
Australian Women's Army Service
The Australian Women's Army Service or "AWAS" was a women's service established on 13 August 1941 to "release men from certain military duties for employment in fighting units".-Formation / Structure:...
(AWAS) in the State of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. Manning was active in Girl Guiding both in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and internationally.
Born in 1906, Manning was the daughter of Sir Henry and Lady Manning.
When the Australian Women's Army Service was established in October 1941, Manning was appointed Assistant Controller, Eastern Command with the rank of Major. After attending the first Officers Training School held at Yarra Junction, Victoria
Yarra Junction, Victoria
Yarra Junction is a town in Victoria, Australia, east from Melbourne's central business district. It sits at the junction of the Yarra and Little Yarra Rivers. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Yarra Ranges...
in November 1941, she returned to Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and commenced duty at Headquarters Victoria Barracks, Sydney. She and her staff were responsible for the recruitment and initial training of all AWAS enlistments in New South Wales. In 1943, Manning became Deputy Controller to the Controller, Colonel Sybil Irving
Sybil Irving
Sybil Howy Irving MBE was the founder and controller of the Australian Women's Army Service during World War II. She served in this position from 1941 to 1946 and was active in charity and social organisations until she was aged 74.-Social work:Irving was born on 25 February 1897 at Victoria...
MBE of the AWAS, at their Headquarters in Melbourne.
Manning also served as Commanding Officer at the Australian Women's Services Officers' School, Darley, Victoria. This post combined the training of both the AWAS and the Australian Army Medical Women Service Officers.
In 1946, Manning and three other Girl Guides went to Malaya to serve with the Guide International Service (GIS) to work on post war rehabilitation. In 1955, she became Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Australia (1955–1962) and later a member of the World Committee of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is a global association supporting the female-oriented and female-only Scouting organizations in 145 countries. It was established in 1928 and has its headquarters in London, England. It is the counterpart of the World Organization of the Scout...
(1960–1969). Manning became Australian International Commissioner and was a driving force in the establishment of Sangam.
Manning was awarded the Beaver (1938), Silver Fish
Silver Fish
The Silver Fish is the highest adult award in Girlguiding UK. It is awarded for outstanding service to Girlguiding UK combined with service to world Guiding...
(1954), O.B.E. (1959) for services as Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Australia, King George VI Coronation Medal
King George VI Coronation Medal
The King George VI Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of King George VI.-Issue:For Coronation and Jubilee medals, the practice up until 1977 was that United Kingdom authorities decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to each of...
and the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal was a commemorative medal made to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.-Issue:For Coronation and Jubilee medals, the practice up until 1977 was that United Kingdom authorities decided on a total number to be produced, then allocated a proportion to...
.
Eleanor Manning Training Fund
The Eleanor Manning Training Fund provides financial assistance to Australian Girl Guide trainers attending selected training events in the Asia-Pacific Region of WAGGGS. This reflects Manning's concern with the development of Guiding in this region.External links
- Eleanor Manning at the Australian Women’s Archives Project