Hilda Hope McMaugh

Hilda Hope McMaugh
Hilda Hope McMaugh (1919)
Born	Caroline Hilda Hope McMaugh (1885-03-11)11 March 1885 Kempsey, New South Wales
Died	30 March 1981(1981-03-30) (aged 96) Uralla, New South Wales
Occupation	Nurse
Years active	1916–1950
Known for	First Australian woman to gain a pilot's licence Founding St Elmo's Private Hospital
Aviation career
First flight	October 1919
Famous flights	Test flight 15 November 1919
Flight license	15 November 1919 Northolt Aerodrome

Hilda Hope McMaugh (11 March 1885 – 30 March 1981) was an Australian nurse and pilot. She was the first Australian woman to qualify as a pilot, receiving her certificate from the Royal Aero Club in England on 15 November 1919.

After completing her nursing training at Tamworth District Hospital, McMaugh enlisted with the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) in 1916. The following year she was posted to Cairo with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). For her services during the First World War, she received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

After Armistice McMaugh went to London, where she earned a driving licence from Britain's Royal Automobile Club, and then after one month's training in a Centaur IV aircraft at Northolt Aerodrome, she gained a pilot's licence.

In 1920, McMaugh returned to her home town Uralla, in New South Wales. There, three years later, she established St Elmo's Private Hospital, where she ran the place as its matron for nearly 30 years. Her name is one of 850 inscribed on a memorial in Central Park, Armidale. A retirement home, the McMaugh Gardens Retirement Home, is named after her.