When you meet Gillian Whan OAM, in this episode of The Courage to Lead Interview Series, you’re immediately struck by her warmth, humour, and a deep well of lived experience. At 90 years young, Gillian has lived a life that could fill several books — from wartime childhood memories in rural England to nursing, political campaigning, radio broadcasting, theatre stage management, and decades of community service.
Childhood in Wartime England – The Day Gillian Whan Saw Churchill
Born in the tiny village of Witcham, near Ely, Gillian Whan began school at the age of four — the same year World War II broke out. Gas masks were part of daily life, air raid drills were routine, and the flat Fenlands around her were dotted with RAF airfields.
One of her earliest and most vivid memories came in 1945 when she was taken to London for the Victory Parade.
“I was so small that a policeman let me stand in front of him to see better. I saw Winston Churchill — he got a bigger cheer than the Royal Family — and I’ll never forget the feeling of hope that day.”
Finding Calm Leadership in the Hospital Ward
Gillian Whan’s first memories of leadership came during her nursing training in England. The senior nursing sisters were calm in crisis, deeply compassionate with grieving families, and meticulous in their standards. “They were great role models,” she recalls, “and they knew exactly what to do in an emergency.”
After qualifying, Gillian nursed in Norfolk, working under the old starched-uniform system, before a conversation with a fellow nurse planted the seed for an adventure.
The Ten Pound Pom Adventure of Gillian Whan
In 1958, Gillian Whan and her friend Daphne applied under the “Ten Pound Pom” assisted passage scheme. For a fare of £10, they could migrate to Australia for a two-year work contract. The Suez Canal was closed at the time, so their ship — the Orontes — took a longer route via Las Palmas and Cape Town.
Shipboard life was lively but basic: six young women crammed into a cabin deep in the bowels of the ship, washing strung across the room, and evenings spent in the lounge swapping stories. The heat in the tropics was stifling, and Gillian’s first taste of passionfruit ended with her carefully removing all the seeds, not realising they were edible.
Cape Town left a mark for a different reason — her first confronting experience of apartheid. “There were two of everything — one for blacks, one for whites — and it just didn’t feel right.”
After six weeks at sea, the Orontes steamed into Sydney Harbour. “Seeing the Harbour Bridge for the first time was unforgettable.” From there, they took a train to Canberra — a small, quiet city of tree-lined streets — to begin work at the brand-new Canberra Hospital.
Life in Canberra – Love, Family, and Politics
After a year in Canberra, Gillian Whan travelled around Australia, nursed in Melbourne and Tasmania, and eventually returned to England. It was there, at a pyjama party in Leeds, that she met Bob Whan — an Australian studying for his PhD. Within weeks, they were engaged.
Returning to Australia in 1963 while six months pregnant, Gillian Whan endured the long voyage alone. “I think people thought I was being sent to the colonies,” she laughs. Her mother, convinced she’d never see her again, stood on the dock in her yellow hat waving until the ship was out of sight.
Bob met her in Sydney and drove her to his parents’ farm in Majigonga, Victoria. Shortly after, they moved to Canberra where Gillian gave birth to their first child in the sweltering January heat — without air conditioning and without Bob, who missed the birth.
Two children, Stephen and Susan, followed, along with Bob’s growing political involvement. In 1972, Gillian campaigned alongside him during the Gough Whitlam election — a time she remembers with great pride.
“We had wonderful policies — bringing troops home from Vietnam, making university free, and establishing Medibank. Gough was a true leader. Walking into a packed Queanbeyan hall with people cheering and handing us bunches of thyme with the words ‘It’s Time’ — it felt like history in the making.”
Gillian Whan: Never a Bystander – Leadership in Many Forms
Gillian Whan’s belief in active participation saw her serve twice as President of the Woden Valley VIEW Club, raising funds for The Smith Family and hosting high-profile speakers.
She also became a volunteer broadcaster with community radio station 2XX in Canberra, hosting programs that featured interviews with local theatre actors, union representatives, and playing music from her own eclectic record collection. She learned the technical side too — cueing vinyl records perfectly, watching the clock to hit the news on time, and even splicing audio tape by hand.
Her voice was also heard on a specialist service reading newspapers and magazines for people with vision impairments. “I loved finding stories they’d enjoy — often from National Geographic — and bringing them to life over the air.”
Behind the Curtain – Stage Management at Canberra Repertory
Drawn to the theatre, Gillian Whan trained as a stage manager with Canberra Repertory Theatre. She attended every rehearsal, marked scripts with lighting and sound cues, and on performance nights called the show — giving the “Go” for each scene change, lighting shift, or sound effect.
Productions ranged from The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie to the ambitious Peter Pan, which required flying the title character across the stage — a major feat for a small amateur company. “It was a big responsibility, but I loved being backstage, making it all happen.”
History, Gardens, and the Joy of Family
After moving to Sydney, Gillian Whan immersed herself in the Kogarah Historical Society, serving as President and now Secretary. She has overseen strategic planning, grant applications, and a speaker program that draws capacity crowds — all sustained by the famously improved afternoon teas.
She also helped establish a local community garden and participated in bushcare projects, continuing her philosophy of never being a spectator.
The Joys of Being a Grandmother for Gillian Whan
For Gillian Whan, family has been both anchor and joy. She beams when talking about her four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren:
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Lachie – Stephen’s eldest, a talented performer turned economist and political analyst, who calls his grandmother “Triple G” (Great Grandma Gillian). He shares her love of theatre and has a strong creative streak.
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Georgie – Susan’s daughter, a lawyer currently working in London, with fond memories of her grandmother’s care during childhood illnesses.
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Maddie – Stephen’s daughter, a drama teacher with a young daughter of her own, Elizabeth Violet, giving Gillian the delight of great-grandmotherhood.
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Jamie – Susan’s youngest, a patisserie chef and accomplished skier, now building her own cake business, French Whisk.
Gillian Whan is proud of their varied paths and admires their determination to pursue their passions — whether in the arts, law, teaching, hospitality, or sport.
She maintains close bonds with them all, with daughter Susan calling every day and Stephen visiting often. Holidays together, from New Zealand to Tasmania, are a treasured tradition.
“It’s all care and no responsibility,” Gillian laughs, “but the love goes both ways. I’m very lucky.”
A Life Well Lived
From wartime England to the campaign trail with Gough Whitlam, from the bowels of a migrant ship to the backstage of a theatre, Gillian Whan’s life has been a masterclass in participation, adaptability, and leadership.
Gillian Whan, her OAM is not just an honour — it’s a recognition of a life lived in service to others.
“I used to think in the ’70s that we could leave a better world. I still believe we can, if we lead with tolerance and respect.”