Stella Swinney graduated from Sydney University in 1933 with honours in Psychology. She was on a Teaching scholarship, but was unable to get a teaching position, as the Government was not employing teachers in that period of the Great Depression. She joined the retail firm and eventually became staff training officer.

After working in that capacity for eight years, she joined the Australian Women's Army Service and reached the rank of Major.

In 1944 she was invited to join the Department of Post-War Reconstruction to assist with the re-establishment of ex-servicewomen. In 1948 she travelled to Britain as interviewing and selection officer and travelled all over the country interviewing people as prospective migrants for Australia.

In 1951 she returned to Australia and worked for two years as secretary of Sydney University Women's Union, then took a position as Training Officer with Bonds Industries. Her next appointment was as Pesonnel Officer for Grace Bros.

In 1962 she was appointed Principal of Duval College, at the University of New England, Armidale, a position she held for ten years, until 1972.

In June 1973, she accepted a postion as Woman's advisor to Mr J. Douglas Anthony leader of the Country Party in Australia to complete a report on the involvement of women in that party, with suggestions for greater participation for women at all levels, including policy-making.

In her retirement in Canberra she was involved with the Returned Services League and the Penguin Club.

Events

1933 - 1937

Assistant to the Staff Training Officer at Farmer & Coy Ltd, Sydney

1937 - 1941

Staff Training Officer at Farmer & Coy Ltd, Sydney

November 1941 - 12 August 1944

Member of the Australian Women's Army Service

May 1943 - 12 August 1944

Assistant Controller of the Australian Women's Army Service New South Wales Line of Command, she held the rank of Major.

Sources used to compile this entry: Alexander, Joseph A (ed.), Who's who in Australia 1944, 12 edn, The Herald and Weekly Times, Melbourne, 1944, 906 pp; Australian Women's Archives Project, From Lady Denman to Katy Gallagher: A Century of Women's Contributions to Canberra, February 2013. Also available at http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/ldkg; Information supplied by Amy Taylor Update re WANS following email from Neil McGrath, 07/06/05 (B. Lemon).