You think that women may have tough lives today and in many ways they do.

Well, here is a story that will give you an idea of what women were up against 80 years ago.

My mother, Elva Walker, as she was in 1945, had received a good education. 

My grandparents could afford this as Elva was an only child.

At the outbreak of the Second World War most of the men in the Kiama local government area joined up for some sort of military service. 

That meant jobs that had been traditionally done by men had to be taken up by women. 

This was common around the world.

Elva went to work in the Gerringong bank which was in the building on the western side of the road where the pedestrian crossing is now.

It was one of the highest buildings in the town. 

As well as working in the bank, she also had to devote an hour a day to climbing onto the roof with her friend Helen, who was a teacher at the school. 

Donning a steel helmet like the one the soldiers used, they used binoculars for the hour, trying to spot Japanese planes as a prelude to an invasion. 

I know this might sound like a “Dad’s Army” story but it was deadly serious for a time during the war.

When the war finished, the men returned. 

In 1946 Elva received a “pleasantly worded” letter from the bank that basically stated that, even though her work had been first class, she was now out of a job. 

It wished her the very best in any career she might undertake in the future. 

What career that may be is not speculated.

I was invited to a pleasant afternoon tea at The Bugle office recently and a number of professional workers from various neighbouring businesses were in attendance. 

There were more women than men.

The opportunities for women these days to have a full and satisfying career in any field are so much better than the olden days. 

Very often women were forced to “retire” from their occupation when they got married in professions such as teaching.