On the 28 July 1914 a war broke out in Europe that would change the course of history. A complex web of alliances and minor conflicts dragged in over 27 different countries from around the world in a conflict that was said to end all conflicts. Australia was one of these nations that as a result, sent tens of thousands of it’s men off to fight. The Great War, as it is often known as, had a profound effect on the homefront in Australia. For the first time women were beginning to take up a substantial portion of the work force, a portion that continued to grow during the post war years. As many of Australia’s big economic connections in Europe were cut, Australia had to fend for itself developing into one of the major metal exporters in Asia-Pacific area.…show more content… Around 420,000 or 38.7% of men between the ages of 18 and 44 made the journey to Europe to fight, this left a sizeable hole in the workforce of able bodied men. More women joined the workforce in traditional womens sectors such as clothing, food and printing however there were also women entering less traditional sectors such as administration and teaching. By the end of the war the amount of women in the workforce had risen from 24% to 37% However unions, fearing that they would have to lower wages, were unwilling to let women enter the traditionally male sectors of the workforce. Women also wanted to assist in the war effort, many sought to become involved in munitions production, cooking for the troops and interpretation however the government did not allow this. Women then began to create their own ways to help the war effort. The Australian Red Cross and The Womens National League are two examples of groups created by women to support their men fighting in Europe. Many women who started working during the war stayed in the workforce after the war, their position in the workforce continuing to