I flew with Gaby Kennard in the late 90s (I was checking her out on a Maule as I recall, maybe a BFR?). I found her very low key and humble despite her achievements. She wouldn't remember me but I know I added footnotes next to those flights in my log book to expand who the name "Kennard" was as I thought she was pretty cool and felt proud to have had the chance to have flown with her. My brush with fame
Also met Nancy Bird years ago west of Bourke at a bush strip near Ford's Bridge - she came as guest of honour to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the town (which at that time consisted of a pub, 3 houses and a tennis court - a speck in a vast expanse of red dirt and mulga). She had used that strip at times during her career, at a time when there were no real services to assist if you got yourself into trouble out there, certainly no nav aids other than a map and a watch. She was a larger than life character even in her old age