Cate McGregor is a former Captain in the Royal Australian Air Force . She spent 40 years in the army , most of those under the name Malcolm . In 2012 , she quit ' functioning ' as a man and lived as a woman . She threatened to resign from the office when her transformation became public . Her resignation was refused by former Chief of Army David Morrison . McGregor believes her Abbott was n't given the credit he deserved for publicly supporting her and risking a wedge within his own party . She addressed the National Defence Club on Wednesday as part of a women in media series .
Cate McGregor is a Group Captain in the Royal Australian Air Force . She spent 40 years in the army , most of those under the name Malcolm . In 2012 , McGregor stopped 'functioning ' as a man and lived as a woman . She tried to resign from the office when her transformation became public . Her resignation was refused by former Chief of Army David Morrison . McGregor believes Mr Abbott was n't given the credit he deserved for publicly embracing her and risking a wedge within his own party . She addressed the National Press Club on Wednesday as part of a women in media series .