Darwin, NT. 1945. An informal group of members of the Australian Women's Army Services (AWAS) model their improvised costumes for a musical comedy and revue. The revue "Blue Horizon" was organised by the Australian Army Amenities Service and produced by Alan Cairnes and Dudley Simpson. NF482322 Lieutenant (Lt) Elva Baikie, as Amenities Officer for the Australian Women's Service was involved with organising the dancers. Left to right: Joy Graham; Barbara Hutchison, Marjorie Graham; Anne Steeles; Peggy Pentland; Jean Outteridge and Trixie Mayall. Anne Steeles was the singer and the remaining girls were the "ladies of the ballet". Note the barely disguised army shoes that the dancers had to wear. (Donor E. Batt) dancers.

Mrs Batt was a ballet mistress who enlisted as an Army Amenities officer in 1943 in the Northern Territory.She discusses the entertainment provided by the army for the troops: revues, dances. She mentions conditions in Darwin during the war,including the general feeling of the population: tedium, neglect by the rest of the country. The civilian population in Perth felt isolated and had a harder time as regards rationing than did the service personnel.Mrs Batt comments that entertainers were very important to keep up the morale of the troops.

Physical description: (/Colour/Sound ) Betacam SP/colour/sound

Lieutenant (Lt) Elva Baikie, Amenities Officer for the Army women's services (including the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS), Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) and Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS)). Lt Baikie encouraged the women to brighten up their barracks by supplying material for bedspreads, floor stain, rugs and paint, along with the motto `Make your barracks spell HOME'. Lt Baikie also organised a musical comedy and a revue in the Darwin area, with the girls who took part improvising their costumes. Lt Baikie also organised sporting matches and a Combined Services Swimming Carnival held in the Darwin Baths. (Donor E. Batt)

BAIKIE ELVA MAY : Service Number - NF482322 : Date of birth - 14 Sep 1920 : Place of birth - SYDNEY NSW : Place of enlistment - VICTORIA BARRACKS SYDNEY : Next of Kin - BAIKIE JAMES