168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø

B 1910 D 1994

At 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s 1923-1927; Prefect

After graduating from 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s, Audrey Craig (nee Herring) worked as a journalist before becoming one of the early female pioneers keen to serve, joining the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Airforce (WAAAF), the largest of the Second World War’s women’s services.

At 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s, Audrey was a talented sportswoman playing hockey and tennis and, in the pool, swimming and diving. She was school champion for three consecutive years between 1925 and 1927. Not unlike today, her blazer was adorned with her achievements displaying badges for basketball, diving, tennis, high jumping and running. Audrey was also in the school play and was a Prefect in her final year at school.

While at school, Audrey had a love of English and reading. In fact, she once boldly told a teacher how to correctly pronounce a word. After responding that he’d look it up, Audrey feared she would be in trouble for speaking up; however, thankfully, the teacher confirmed she was in fact quite right!

Her love of English and books nurtured at 168¿ª½±¹ÙÍø’s led Audrey to become a journalist. She worked at the Courier Mail in Brisbane and also wrote for the Women’s Weekly. In 1937 she moved to London to work at Associated Press on Fleet Street.

A year later and with the impending World War II, Audrey returned to Brisbane and working at the Courier Mail. At the same time, she commenced what would become the beginnings of her lifelong commitment to giving, volunteering at the Red Cross Cafe and cooking breakfasts at the United Services Men’s Club.

She then went on to join the WAAAF and in that same year completed the number one administrative course at Methodist Ladies College in Kew, Victoria. During her time in the service she was promoted through the ranks and before being discharged held one of the most senior leadership positions within the organisation. In 1943 she was appointed Deputy Director WAAAF and later, in 1946, just five years after the WAAAF was established, Wing Officer Audrey Herring was appointed to the high-ranking position of Staff Officer in Charge of the WAAAF – Acting Director becoming responsible for all WAAAF matters.   

In 1947, Audrey was recruited by Sir Keith Murdoch to become the women’s editor for the Herald and Weekly Times. She left the company in 1948 to marry Squadron Leader John Craig and the couple moved to Western Australia.

In Perth, Audrey continued to devote her time to giving becoming involved with and supporting several community services. She was a member of the Western Australian branch of the Save the Children Fund and sponsored children from destitute backgrounds for 35 years. She was also a board member of the Western Australian Hospital Benefits Fund for 15 years as well as being a friend of the Royal Perth Hospital for 25 years and a financial supporter of the Bible Society of Australia.