Today I completed one of my Storyteller sessions with the amazing Jeannette. These are sessions I started this year, which allows my photography to showcase special people who should be recognised for their inspiring stories.

Jeannette made history in the 80's as she was the first female officer to join the NSW Mounted police. She paved the way for so many other women to become mounties, through her determination, skill & horsemanship.

This is Jeannettes story...

In 1980 I was at Uni doing Ag science. Basically waiting until I was old enough to join Victoria Police and the mounted section there in those days you had to be 21.

I attended a Pony Club camp at Condobolin NSW as an Instructor.

Also instructing at the camp was an ex mounties and a current serving mounted officer.

Both encouraged me to apply to NSW Police and said that they could no longer stop females from joining the mounted section of you were able to pass all the required medical and physical tests.

So, in June 1980 I went to Police Headquarters in Sydney.

I passed all the mandatory tests. I was then told to attend the Mounted Section that afternoon to do a riding test. I had to borrow some jodhpurs and shirt and buy some boots as I did not expect to be doing a riding test on this visit.

So off I went and met the OIC we talked and then started on the testing firstly with bridling and saddling a horse. Then to the bull ring. There I completed a number of riding assessments. Which in included riding with a saddle and also bareback. Jumping over 44gallon drums..

A number of the mounties were present and lined around the outside of the bullring.

You can probably imagine some of the comments.

I rode well enough to pass the tests.

After this I went into to academy on 19th January 1981 where I completed my initial training and in April, I was stationed at Waverley Police.

I performed duties there until my transfer to the mounted unit in June 1982.

Upon arriving at the mounted unit I was the only female officer. There were no change areas or female toilets in that area, and I had to use the facilities in the drill staff offices on the other side of the academy.

I was included into the usual practices of the unit. To start with I was mainly rostered on day shift which would include feeding and stable duties.

Then you would either ride out to centennial Park as a troop to exercise the horses. Other times you would stay and ride in the bullring.

Afternoons usually consisted of taking a horse out either by yourself or with someone else and walking around the local area to educate them on traffic crowds etc.

After a few weeks I was issued with my "boots".

Once I had received my boots, I would also be rostered to perform traffic duties at the local school crossing. As time went on I was also rostered to perform duties in the Rocks and Kings cross on weekends..

As you could imagine back in 1982 there were not many women within the NSW Police. Being in the mounted unit came with some challenges being the only female.

It was not easy.

Unfortunately I was only in the unit for 5 months.

It was not my choice to leave. I continued in the Police for a total of 28yrs before being medically retired due to a workplace injury.

Last year was the 200yr anniversary of the NSW mounted police. The longest continually running mounted police unit in the world.

It was great to speak with a number of ex and current mounties and at last year's events.

I am very proud of my achievements and being able to have the way for more female officers to join the mounted section.

The tide has changed over the last 44yrs from me being the only female of 35 in the unit to it now being 90% females.