May Bradford: Queensland Aviatrix
by Jennifer Perry
Born in 1897, May Bradford grew up in Rubyvale, on the Gemfields of central western Queensland, and went on to live a life of remarkable variety and adventure. From performing as an acrobat with her family’s travelling troupe to becoming a silent-film actress, accomplished horsewoman, pilot and ground engineer, May continually stepped beyond the boundaries of what was expected of women in the early twentieth century. Her journey took her from the travelling entertainment circuit to the world of aviation, where she carved out a place for herself in a rapidly changing and predominantly male environment. May Bradford: Queensland Aviatrix uncovers the story of a woman whose achievements have largely faded from public memory. Drawing on historical newspapers, archival records and other historical sources, this podcast pieces together May’s life, exploring the opportunities she seized, the challenges she faced and the worl
Episodes
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Ep2: A Childhood of Work and Wonder
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! May Bradford’s childhood was anything but ordinary. Born in 1897, she grew up in Queensland’s central Gemfields, in a family where hard work, enterprise and entertainment were woven into...
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Ep3: Her own Arena.
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! For May Bradford, the show ring offered more than an opportunity to demonstrate her skill as a horsewoman. It was a place where she could take charge, test her abilities and earn recognition…
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Ep4: Changing Roles.
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! May Bradford’s life brought her into the world of silent film, where women could take on different roles and identities. Beyond the screen, however, the expectations placed on women were far...
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Ep5: Charting Her Own Course.
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Aviation offered May Bradford a new horizon, but becoming a pilot was only the beginning. In a field dominated by men, holding a pilot’s licence did not guarantee a woman the opportunity to…
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Ep6: Among the Few.
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In 1936, May Bradford took to the skies in one of Australia’s most significant aviation events: the Brisbane–Adelaide Centenary Air Race. The race attracted pilots prepared to test their…
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Ep7: The Price of Progress.
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! On 24 January 1937, May Bradford’s life came to a tragic end at Mascot aerodrome in Sydney, during a family fun day that brought the excitement of aviation to the public. Her son Frank was…
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Ep8: Epilogue
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! May Bradford’s story is one of ambition, courage and determination, lived at a time when the possibilities for women were changing, but remained far from equal. What can her life tell us about...
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Ep1: When opportunity beckoned.
Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Episode One – Show Notes From the railway towns and dusty hotel bars of early Central Queensland emerged the remarkable beginnings of May Bradford’s life story. In this opening episode, we...
About this show
Born in 1897, May Bradford grew up in Rubyvale, on the Gemfields of central western
Queensland, and went on to live a life of remarkable variety and adventure. From performing
as an acrobat with her family’s travelling troupe to becoming a silent-film actress,
accomplished horsewoman, pilot and ground engineer, May continually stepped beyond the
boundaries of what was expected of women in the early twentieth century. Her journey took
her from the travelling entertainment circuit to the world of aviation, where she carved out a
place for herself in a rapidly changing and predominantly male environment.
May Bradford: Queensland Aviatrix uncovers the story of a woman whose achievements
have largely faded from public memory. Drawing on historical newspapers, archival records
and other historical sources, this podcast pieces together May’s life, exploring the
opportunities she seized, the challenges she faced and the worl
Hosted by
Jennifer Perry
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