Gaby Kennard

Gaby Kennard (born 1944, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) was the first Australian woman to circumnavigate the globe by airplane.

Early life When she was 18 she found out that her natural father was a fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. He was killed in an aircraft accident near Amberley air base, Ipswich on July 17, 1943, shortly after she was conceived.

Career She completed her commercial pilot's licence in 1984 and her multi-engine instrument rating in 1987. Kennard followed Amelia Earhart's route as much as possible.

She is married to Neville Kennard and has a daughter and son.

Recognition In 2008 Kennard was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia

Kennard has also been awarded the Australian Geographic Spirit of Adventure Award and the Nancy Bird Walton Trophy for Outstanding Achievement by a Woman of Australasia.