Chris Crewther (Dunkley, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about my constituent Flying Officer Dorothy Foley— service number 500454—who sadly passed away earlier this month at the age of 97. Mrs Foley, formerly Maroney, was born on 18 March 1920 in Melbourne. On 27 September 1943, Dorothy enlisted for the Royal Australian Air Force at St Kilda. Dorothy was sent to England to aid in the treatment of injured RAF and RAAF pilots, with a particular focus on burn injuries. Dorothy's husband, John, has a framed letter from Sir Robert Menzies to the British government requesting Dorothy be granted every assistance in her treatment of WWII air force casualties.

Dorothy also has a very interesting family history in the electorate of Dunkley. Her brother, Dr Stewart Maroney, had his doctor's surgery in the building in which my electorate office resides while he was in partnership with Dr Plowman Jr.

Dorothy spent the latter part of her life in Mount Eliza with her husband, John. In 2016 she was the guest of honour at the Mount Eliza Anzac Day service as the oldest decorated Air Force officer on the Mornington Peninsula. Today we remember Dorothy and acknowledge her incredible service to her community and country. Lest we forget.