A park in Campbell has been named after Violet McKenzie, or ‘Mrs Mac’ – the woman who trained thousands in Morse code, visual signalling and international code during World War II.

The park is located behind the Campbell shops, between White Crescent and Blamey Place.

Violet McKenzie was a pioneer in Australian radio and electrical engineering.

She was committed to technical education and training, especially for women.

McKenzie also established a wireless shop in the Royal Arcade, Sydney.

In the 1930s, she began the Electrical Association for Women and wrote the first ‘all-electric cookbook’.

In addition, she established the Women’s Emergency Signalling Corps in 1939, and campaigned to have her female trainees accepted into the Navy, which was all male at the time.

Her voluntary work led to the establishment of the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service, (WRANS).

The name Violet McKenzie Park was selected following community consultation held last year.

An information sign was unveiled this week by with representatives from the Royal Australian Navy and WRANS ACT in attendance.

The ACT Government would like to thank the local community that has adopted the park and helps maintain it.

^{Violet McKenzie's voluntary work led to the establishment of the Women’s Royal Australian Naval Service, (WRANS).}

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