Robin Miller

Robin Elizabeth Miller (born 8 September 1940 – 7 December 1975), known as "The Sugar Bird Lady", was an Australian aviator and nurse. The name "The Sugar Bird Lady" was given to her by outback Aboriginal children during her work combatting polio. She died of cancer at the age of 35.

Biography Robin Elizabeth Miller was born on 8 September 1940 in Subiaco, Perth. Her mother was the writer Dame Mary Durack, and her father was an aviator, Captain Horrie Miller.

After obtaining a private pilot licence and a commercial flying licence while training as a nurse, she approached the Western Australian Department of Health to ask permission to fly to northern Western Australia to carry out a vaccination programme.

Miller died of cancer on 7 December 1975 in South Perth, aged 35. Following her death, her husband set up a A$50,000 memorial foundation to help nurses acquire flying licences.

She is remembered fondly in Perth, Western Australia; as well as the large memorial in Jandakot Airport, there is also a seminar room in the Royal Perth Hospital named after her, in addition to a road at Perth Airport: Sugarbird Lady Road.

Quotes Memorial to The Sugar Bird Lady at Jandakot Airport, Perth, Western Australia, unveiled in 1978. (Replica Mooney Super 21) Two quotes from ABC's "George Negus Tonight" described her flying prowess:

Nancy Bird (a friend):

Michael Page (publisher):

Awards Diploma of Merit — Associazione Nazionale Infermieri, Italy (1969) Nancy Bird (Walton) Award — Australia's woman pilot of the year (1970) Paul Tissandier Diploma — Federation Aeronautique Internationale (posthumous) Brabazon Cup — Women Pilots' Association of Great Britain (posthumous)