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| First for fashion By Andrew Stackpool Volume 49, No. 03, March 08, 2007 |
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IF YOU are a female Air Force member who needs advice about some item of uniform or have a great idea on how the whole thing could be changed, WOFF Irene Leurs is the person to contact. Late last year, WOFF Leurs from Air Force Headquarters made history when she was the first airwoman to be appointed as the Air Force’s Service Women’s Adviser (SWA). The position was created in the early 1990s to provide advice to the Air Force Non-Operational Clothing Steering Committee on female uniform issue and to establish a point of contact for female members who had queries or suggestions regarding dress matters. Until then it was filled by a female senior commissioned officer. “I am the first airwoman to fill the role,” WOFF Leurs said. “It is a secondary appointment for me. I report to the Deputy Director Uniforms, WGCDR Terry Curtain. The position sponsor is DCOORD-AF, GPCAPT Anne Borzycki.” WOFF Leurs was appointed after WGCDR Curtain and previous incumbent WGCDR Kathryn Dunn decided that the position did not necessarily need to be filled by a senior commissioned officer but, rather, any female with a broad career base and extensive Service knowledge. That was where WOFF Leurs came in. “WGCDR Dunn chose me to succeed her as the next SWA,” she said. “I think she was pleased with my commitment to ensuring the uniform is worn correctly and that all females should be represented by a suitable role model. “I was very surprised to be selected as I believed you had to be a senior officer. I haven’t done anything like this before but I am very happy to take on the responsibility the role entails.” WOFF Leurs enlisted in 1988 and has enjoyed many postings around Australia, as well as a short posting to Butterworth in 2000. She has undertaken many roles and most recently was involved in the PMKeyS project. She travelled quite extensively to facilitate training on PMKeyS to the wider Air Force clerical community. She said the job would provide her with many challenges. “Previous SWA’s have been responsible for many changes to the female uniform over the last 10 to 15 years and some changes have resulted in much easier to wear garments, particularly for laundering and ironing,” she said. “The current Manual of Dress is a little antiquated and has contradictory instructions on the wearing of certain female uniform items. One of my major tasks is to re-write the publication (in consultation with DD-UNIF and the Canberra Area WOD) and produce a manual that is easier to read and follow.” WOFF Leurs said that all female members can contact her by email or telephone, however, she stresses that they should not go outside their chain of command. “Members should first approach their supervisors when any clarification of the Manual of Dress is required. I realise that some members may have civilian supervisors, so it may not always be possible to seek their advice on a uniform issue. Uniforms are an essential part of the military ethos and reinforce the self-discipline and high standards we have maintained as Air Force members,” she said. “Standardisation and pride in wearing the uniform are key elements in ensuring we look professional and our customs and traditions are preserved. “I realise the uniform may not be a ‘perfect fit’ for everybody. I’m more than happy to listen to any suggestions for changes to the current dress/accoutrement standards. However, cost, serviceability and practicality are always issues which must be considered. “While we try to keep the uniform updated, we must still maintain a conservative style indicative of our role in the Australian community. I can’t see us going back to wearing flares and platforms any time soon.” WOFF Irene Leurs can be contacted by calling (02) 6265 7642 or emailing irene.leurs@defence.gov.au |
