Pat Riggs

Pat Riggs or Shirley Patricia Riggs (21 February 1921 – 12 March 1998) was an Australian woman who worked as a newspaper editor for The Macleay Argus and shire councillor for the Kempsey Shire Council.

During World War II she served with the Australian Women's Army Service serving, in part, as an officer and program manager for the Australian Broadcasting Control Unit producing propaganda. At the age of 16 she saved a man from drowning and was recognised for her heroism.

After completing high school Riggs attended business college in Sydney and, upon its completion, returned to Kempsey where she worked as a secretary at the local community radio station 2KM for the next two years. This ended when, on 26 January 1942 she enlisted in the Australian Women's Army Service; this decision came soon after the Japanese entered World War II. For an unknown reason, as she was eligible despite the change, Riggs changed her date of birth when she enlisted to 21 February 1920; this was one year older than she was.

Australian Women's Army Service In the Australian Women's Army Service Riggs first performed administrative training and regimental duties and worked across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. She was promoted to acting corporal in March 1942 and, from around this time, began editing the Weekly Whine (a weekly publication) and Off Parade (a monthly publication). Both of these were publications for servicewomen. This was, in part, for her advocacy for rural journalism and her belief in the importance of a strong rural press which was not only relevant to local readers but also in keeping metropolitan newspaper honest and accountable of their reporting of the goings on in regional locations.