From a young age, Robin Miller dreams of piloting a plane, but her father, Horrie Miller, laughs at the idea because it’s unheard of for a woman to fly a plane. Horrie is an aviator and co-founder of MacRobertson—Miller Airlines. Robin’s mother is the renowned author Mary Durack. Robin often falls asleep to the sound of her typewriter.
In 1945, Horrie buys a bungalow in Broome to reduce travel and build up his business following the war. The family stay in Perth and Horrie travels down from time to time. Robin spends the school holidays in Broome, flying with her father.
After Robin finishes school, she has the opportunity to help a sick patient on one of her father’s flights. She decides to become a nurse. During her training, she learns she can apply for a government subsidy to have flying lessons. In 1962, Robin successfully completes her nursing training, including midwifery, as well as gaining a private pilot’s licence. Robin commences work at the Royal Perth Hospital but still dreams of becoming a commercial pilot. She applies for a Commonwealth scholarship, which is granted. For the next four years, she studies while working full time as a surgery nurse. She qualifies as a commercial pilot in 1968, but no one wants to employ a female pilot.
Robin gets an opportunity when a more effective polio vaccine, Sabin, becomes available. The government health commissioner is looking for ways to deliver the vaccine to remote communities. Robin offers to deliver the vaccines by air. Over the next two years, Robin flies to many remote communities in the Western Australian outback. She becomes known as the Sugarbird Lady as the Sabin is delivered to children on sugar cubes.
Robin won many awards and is a role model for adventurous young women. She leaves behind an amazing legacy.
Dianne Wolfer writes an engaging biography about a young woman determined to help others, written for older primary school students and young adults.
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