Biography

Hazel Holyman (1899–1992) was born on 17 March 1899 at Launceston, Tasmania, the eldest of four children. Her parents were Frederick Archer Gaunt, clerk, and Mary Emmeline, née Dodery. Hazel was educated at Broadland House. She married Victor Clive Holyman on 22 August 1921 at Christ Church, Longford. Holymay was a master mariner and grandson of the founder of the Tasmanian shipping firm William Holyman & Sons Pty Ltd.

Hazel Holyman was a pioneer of air hostesses in Australia, humorously referred to in later years as Australia’s oldest air hostess. In 1939, she took on the role of recruiting and training new hostesses for Australian National Airlines (ANA) along with other duties relating to the management of the airline, and was renowned for meticulous attention to detail, particularly in regard to personal appearance and correct uniform. She retired in 1955 having seen the number of ANA air hostesses grow from eighteen to two hundred.

Hazel Holyman was actively involved in women’s groups at St. John’s Church, and her embroidery work can be seen in the embroidered cushioning on the bishop's seat in the sanctuary.

In retirement, she was very much involved in a club for former hostesses. She was appointed AM in 1980 and  in 1988 received an Advance Australia Award for her services to aviation. She died on 14 November 1992 at Launceston.