Maude ‘Lores’ Bonney’s 122nd Birthday

Today’s Doodle celebrates Australian aviator Maude Rose ‘Lores’ Bonney, who was the first woman to fly solo from Australia to England. A pioneer for women in aviation, she completed the 1933 journey in 157 hours of flight time, surviving a groundbreaking voyage fraught with peril as she flew through heavy storms, survived two crashes, and had an encounter with a herd of water buffalo.

A flight with her husband’s cousin in 1928 sparked her desire to become a pilot. By 1931, Lores had dedicated herself to flying, embarking on her first solo flight in a Gipsy Moth biplane named My Little Ship. A record-breaking first flight, it took Lores nearly 15 hours to fly south from Brisbane, Queensland, to meet her father for dinner in Wangaratta, Victoria.

Lores continued to push the boundaries for aviators with each successive flight, and in 1937, Lores became the first person to fly solo from Australia to her birthplace of South Africa. 

With her honorary doctorate from Griffith University, confirmation as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), as well as a Queensland electoral district named after her, Lores’ achievements serve to inspire pilots of the future. Unlike Lores, however, today’s pilots have access to a radio and won’t have to do their own maintenance to get to their destination. 

Doodler Up Close with Matt Cruickshank

Today’s Doodle was created by Doodler Matt Cruickshank.
Below, he shares some thoughts on the making of the Doodle:
 

Q: How did you first learn about Maude “Lores” Bonney? What part of her story do you find most inspiring personally?

A: Only just recently did I come across her story. We like to celebrate well-known and not-so-well-known stories equally. Personally imagining her pioneering adventure in a bi-plane open to the elements was incredible.
 

Q: Is there a particular moment in Maude Bonney’s history that stood out to you the most?

A: Her attitude towards adversity. Even upon crashing and nearly drowning, she patched up the plane and carried on. Such courage and endeavor!
 

Q: Why do you think it’s important to highlight the accomplishments of women in aviation? 

A: I grew up reading boys’ adventure comics about male explorers. Bonney’s accomplishments are straight out of a girls’ adventure comic and are equally as important. She can be an inspiration for everyone.
 

Q: What was your creative approach for the Doodle in celebrating the 122nd Birthday of Maude Rose “Lores” Bonney?

A: Australia is East of the UK, so adding in both countries visually left me with the simple task of connecting Bonney’s journey using animation. Far easier than how she achieved the task.
 

Q: What do you hope people will take away from this Doodle?

A: The thrill of adventure and sticking to the task at hand, something I find hard to do these days. Focus on finishing what you set out to do, one step at a time.

Early concept sketch and draft animation of the Doodle