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Wings of Change: The inside story of Australia's first female Green Beret Commando and her fight for change
Robyn's story is one of resilience, overcoming adversity, empowering others and driving positive change. She tells of a childhood dogged by domestic violence; a promising athletics career; 35 years as a professional soldier who helped vulnerable women and children in war zones. Her determination and self-belief saw her complete the gruelling Commando selection course and become the first woman in Australia to wear the coveted Green Beret. She faced her mortality - both on the battlefield and also unexpectedly in civilian life. A compelling, brave and inspirational memoir with a message!
162 pages, Paperback
Published December 23, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 5, 2023
At one stage in this book, Robyn Fellowes describes her encounter with a bunch of bandits with machetes, whilst deployed in East Timor. Without a word, she moves her shirt to reveal a pistol. They immediately flee.
This book, in total, is a bit like that moment. Fellowes is the master of cooly dropping bombshell information. She recounts her extraordinary life in a clear, simple yet understated way. However, the subjects she discusses are serious and significant, while she herself is an impressive historical figure.
I might warn you now, the book is not only about Australian military history, but it is also a story about females and violence.
An ex-Australian Army Officer myself, I had only heard of Robyn Fellowes but never met her. I wish I had!
She was spoken of in hushed terms as a figure of great courage. In around 1999 word eventually got out, not through official mechanisms - but through the grapevine, that three women had passed the Commando Selection Course. It seemed to have been deliberately kept low key, as was the later decision to cease allowing women to do the course (because apparently Army couldn’t later employ them.) Women across the Army engaged in a collective eyeroll – frustrated, and disappointed on these women’s behalf.
At last, we have the story of what happened, and to what many will recognise as the risk adverse and short-signted decision-making at the time. Partly to Army's credit, but mostly due to the role of Colonel Amanda Fielding, Fellowes is given many more opportunities to show her mettle. And she delivers. We see a cool-headed, strong and capable Officer turn her hand to all variety of complex situations and navigate to successful outcomes.
The book begins with descriptions of her early life and domestic violence in the home. The book ends with some shocking statistics and information of the epidemic of sexual violence in conflict in Sudan and the lack of skill-sets and capabilities to deal with it. Throughout she reflects on women’s security; women’s role in security forces; and in security planning and discussions. Her story telling and clear explanations for the operational need for a range of capabilities to deal with women’s security, or whole of society security solutions, is more convincing than most policy documents on these matters. In fact, she got it well before policy makers put pen to paper on these issues.
It is clear that Fellowes understands women’s security from multiple levels and that her own experiences, and that of her mother, gave her the strength but also compassion, insight and drive to make change. She is a champion athlete, an Amazonian like figure and a grounded, wise, shrewd operational commander. She makes stands on issues that matter and also shows great tact.
While Fellowes' own story is inspiring, the book is also, as she rightly points out, a story of missed opportunities and institutional slowness to respond to the changing operational environment. Service people will relate to the highs of service life, the disconnection many feel on discharge and some the physical costs of service life – injuries and chronic pain. She overcomes these challenges with her trademark guts.
Things have changed greatly, but the story of this pioneering and heroic female Officer is one all Australian service people, and those interested in Australian military history, should know about.
This book, in total, is a bit like that moment. Fellowes is the master of cooly dropping bombshell information. She recounts her extraordinary life in a clear, simple yet understated way. However, the subjects she discusses are serious and significant, while she herself is an impressive historical figure.
I might warn you now, the book is not only about Australian military history, but it is also a story about females and violence.
An ex-Australian Army Officer myself, I had only heard of Robyn Fellowes but never met her. I wish I had!
She was spoken of in hushed terms as a figure of great courage. In around 1999 word eventually got out, not through official mechanisms - but through the grapevine, that three women had passed the Commando Selection Course. It seemed to have been deliberately kept low key, as was the later decision to cease allowing women to do the course (because apparently Army couldn’t later employ them.) Women across the Army engaged in a collective eyeroll – frustrated, and disappointed on these women’s behalf.
At last, we have the story of what happened, and to what many will recognise as the risk adverse and short-signted decision-making at the time. Partly to Army's credit, but mostly due to the role of Colonel Amanda Fielding, Fellowes is given many more opportunities to show her mettle. And she delivers. We see a cool-headed, strong and capable Officer turn her hand to all variety of complex situations and navigate to successful outcomes.
The book begins with descriptions of her early life and domestic violence in the home. The book ends with some shocking statistics and information of the epidemic of sexual violence in conflict in Sudan and the lack of skill-sets and capabilities to deal with it. Throughout she reflects on women’s security; women’s role in security forces; and in security planning and discussions. Her story telling and clear explanations for the operational need for a range of capabilities to deal with women’s security, or whole of society security solutions, is more convincing than most policy documents on these matters. In fact, she got it well before policy makers put pen to paper on these issues.
It is clear that Fellowes understands women’s security from multiple levels and that her own experiences, and that of her mother, gave her the strength but also compassion, insight and drive to make change. She is a champion athlete, an Amazonian like figure and a grounded, wise, shrewd operational commander. She makes stands on issues that matter and also shows great tact.
While Fellowes' own story is inspiring, the book is also, as she rightly points out, a story of missed opportunities and institutional slowness to respond to the changing operational environment. Service people will relate to the highs of service life, the disconnection many feel on discharge and some the physical costs of service life – injuries and chronic pain. She overcomes these challenges with her trademark guts.
Things have changed greatly, but the story of this pioneering and heroic female Officer is one all Australian service people, and those interested in Australian military history, should know about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2023
The best memoir with a message I have ever read. The book had me from the start - I could not put it down. Robyn’s honest and riveting account of her life from growing up on a farm and domestic violence - all shaping her military career where she again faced challenge after challenge - overcoming them where she could. Being the first women to be presented a commando green beret - constantly facing archaic male leadership - demonstrating time after time the benefits of women’s inclusion in all roles in the ADF and their necessary roles in conflicts around the world where women’s voices need to be found and heard - and continue to be supported. Robyn highlighted to me how much more needs to be done - a true pioneer who is now part of military history! Worthy of a movie!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews