Judith Cox
Kelvin Grove has featured prominently in Judith Cox’s life. Her first home was on Victoria Park Road, her grandfather owned the Kelvin Grove butcher shop and she was later posted to Gona Barracks as the last 1 WRAAC Company Adjutant Quartermaster.
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Transcript
Full Circle
A few years ago, I attended a performance of Zigzag Street at the new La Boite Theatre, and parked in Victoria Street. I was now in familiar territory, as 51 Victoria Street had been my first home. My grandparents lived in Eureka Street, and my grandfather, Alec McConnell, owned the butcher shop on nearby Kelvin Grove Road. As I walked towards the theatre, I had time to reflect on the past. In 1961, I was a foundation student of Kelvin Grove High School. I later worked at Department of Army, Victoria Barracks, before heading overseas in 1968. Upon my return home, I worked at Ira Berk at Herston. Restless and seeking a challenge, I applied and was accepted for WRAAC Officer Cadet School, graduating in November 1972. After two years in Townsville, I was posted to 1 WRAAC Company at Gona Barracks, Kelvin Grove as Adjutant Quartermaster. I viewed this appointment with some trepidation as I had been told many stories about working with ‘Weekend Warriors’. Contrary to predictions, I thoroughly enjoyed my posting and found the women of 1 WRAAC Company enthusiastic, hardworking and fun loving. Sadly, this unit which had been responsible for training all female army reserve recruits, non-commissioned officers, and officers in Queensland, was disbanded on 31 May 1976. It was the end of an era. Integrated training and wider career opportunities followed. Back at La Boite, I looked out over the former parade ground and remnants of the old Gona Barracks. I could still picture a polished, well disciplined 1 WRAAC Company on parade. I felt privileged to be the last Adjutant Quartermaster of the unit and remembered with fondness my connections to Kelvin Grove.