Celebrating women who inspire: Barbara Wagner’s century of breaking barriers
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate women who challenge barriers, create change, and inspire others to aim higher.
Resthaven Leabrook resident, Miss Barbara Wagner, 101, has done exactly that.
As a child growing up on a remote farm on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, Barbara was encouraged by her father to ‘always aim to be the best you can’. It became the guiding principle of her life.
During World War II, she served in the Australian Army Medical Women’s Service, working alongside respected medical leaders who encouraged her ambition. Determined to continue learning, she later studied accounting and economics at the University of Adelaide while working full-time.
In the 1960s and 70s, working as the Executive Director of the Export Division at Metro Meat Co (a household name at the time and one of the most successful meat processing companies in South Australia), Barbara helped open Australia’s meat export trade with Japan, travelling internationally at a time when few women held senior roles in global business.
‘The trade with Asia was just opening up,’ Barbara says. ‘There was a bit of flak from others that they were sending a woman, but my boss said to everyone “they want us to send the best, and she is the best!”.’
Despite the ringing endorsement, Barabara was still denied the formal title of ‘manager’ because she was a woman.
‘As a female, I wasn’t allowed the title “manager”,’ Barbara says. ‘When I left that position, they gave the job to a man (who didn’t have the experience or education I did) and he became ‘manager’ immediately. It really irked me. It was the only case of discrimination I came up against that I could not change while I was in the role.’
One of the changes Barbara did orchestrate was when she worked at the Newsagents Association of South Australia, representing The News and The Advertiser, and attending the local Chamber of Commerce.
‘I attended the meetings, but to begin with I was not allowed to stay for the lunch because it was deemed to be “just for men”,’ Barbara says. ‘I had that changed – it was definitely discriminatory.’
Beyond her professional achievements, Barbara championed women’s advancement through Soroptimist International, advocating for human rights and gender equality.
Barbara’s life has been defined not only by leadership, but by curiosity and courage. She has travelled to 23 countries in a single year, embraced sport well into her 80s, and in retirement mastered wood carving, tapestry and countless other pursuits.
Reflecting on a century of change, Barbara says she is proud to have witnessed — and contributed to — the progress women have made in the workforce and in public life.
‘It wasn’t easy, making my way in a man’s world,’ Barbara says. ‘But I had very strong male supporters in my working life who always helped me and put me forward. It has been wonderful for me to see how women have gained greater power in the workforce and in government over the years. I have seen many changes over my lifetime and am proud to have played a part in positive change.’
Thank you, Barbara for your remarkable work!