Australian Dress Register

Females officially entering into the Queensland Police Force is not only a significant story in the gender history of Queensland, but represents the social and historical progression of the Queensland Police. The Queensland Policewoman's summer uniform was the first uniform to be assigned to women in Queensland. The short, drab olive green dress came with a belt to gather the waist and add a more feminine flair. It is not a decorative piece, its main function was to act as an everyday uniform for policewomen during the summer months. It is straight-cut, fastened by concealed buttons and takes its shape from the stitching. There is some evidence of alterations indicating that the dress has, at one stage, been worn. The buttons from the waist down are different and are sewn onto the dress using different coloured thread. The hook and eye at the waist is also broken further indicating wear. Despite this, the dress is in a good condition. The fabric is still a vibrant green colour and it is complete with a belt. The condition of the uniform is significant in itself. As the drab olive uniform was phased out in favour of the navy blue uniforms in 1971, it is also significant that one of the original olive green uniforms has survived as it was not manufactured over a long period of time.

The period of history that this uniform represents is where its real value and significance can be found. Prior to 1965, women wore civilian clothing as they were not formally recognized by the Queensland Police Force. In 1965, however, this changed as a group of young women were granted power of arrest and were allowed to participate in traditional training and law programs. Most importantly, they could receive a rank in the force and Elizabeth Rose Boyle achieved the rank of Sergeant Second Class in 1965. By 1970 there were twenty-seven policewomen in Queensland. Women had entered into police roles in Germany in 1905 and followed by America in 1910. The uniform, therefore, represents Queensland's coming of age in the gender history of policing. It is a physical representation of acceptance. Women were now able to be accepted into the Police Force. Although the Force was not yet gender-equal, this uniform represents the important first step that was made towards a more equal Police Force. 

Author: Virginia Gordon and Rebecca Lush, 20 August 2014.

Slightly above the knee-length, short-sleeved, olive green dress, probably synthetic. The dress can be roughly divided into the top, gathered waist and skirt which flows straight from the waist. The colour is described in the police commissioner reports as "drab" olive green. On the top half of the dress are three silver 'Queen's Crown' buttons running down the centre. They have Queensland Police Force inscribed on them. Smaller versions of these silver buttons are found at the bottom of each sleeve. These buttons are located on small cuffs at the bottom of the sleeve. The collar is not stiff but soft and is the same green colour as the dress. There are four holes in the centre at the front of the collar which were used to secure the registered number badges as seen in the 1965-1970 photograph of the uniform. This uniform displays badge PW 83. The PW stands for Police Woman. These badges were used to distinguish female policewomen from their male colleagues. At the waist of the dress are belt loops and a belt which is the same colour as the dress. Just below the waist are two pockets either side of the dress. Following down from the waist are four concealed buttons in the centre of the dress. On the back of the dress above the waist is a slit in the back and gathering either side into the slit.