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My love of aviation sprung to life around 1979, when at 11 yrs old I was a Junior Jetter on a flight with Ansett from Melbourne to Perth. On my return to Melbourne, I still remember looking out the window, gazing forward, to see the TAA 727 in front on decent into Melbourne, followed by my Ansett 727.
Early 1970s Ticket and Boarding Pass. 
Those were the days of the Domestic Two Airline Policy. TAA and Ansett had to have similar aircraft, with the same passenger capacity, and similar flight schedules. You would remember if a TAA Boeing 727 is taking off, an Ansett 727 is not too far behind, and vice versa. However the similarities stopped when it came to the staff uniforms and accessories. It is here, the Airline would choose who would dress their staff, to be worn in the Aussie skies.
Having a family whom had lived in all parts of Australia in the 1970's and 80's, the early teen years for me, included regular trips from West to East and vice versa.
I was in awe of the Hostesses, and how they would go about the job of safety demonstrations, food service and general care and friendliness to the passengers. Most of all, I loved the uniforms.
On a second flight in the early 80's, I started to keep my serviettes, plastic economy cutlery, magazine, and my ticket. The TAA colour scheme was "the Camel hump" navy blue and yellow, and Ansett had the white fuselage with the 'shooting stars'. On the return, flying on one of TAA's new A300's, VH-TAC, I was given a tour of the flight deck. Camera in hand, I was amazed at my first look in the A300 cockpit. The deck crew were so friendly, and the Flight Attendants wearing the Merco Davron uniforms, could not do enough for me, even taking a photo of me in the cockpit.
 1985 Ticket and Boarding Pass.
Well into the late 80's, I was becoming more fascinated with Flight Attendants, and collected anything in relation to a career in airlines. I would collect magazine articles, adverts from newspapers, news clippings, pictures and stories that related to Airline Attendants. I would watch shows presenting the career of Flight Attendants, and even started collecting aircraft models. I bought Ansett models, and this grew to Qantas ones, and a TAA Airbus. Soon my bedroom had Australian Airliner posters, adverts, plastic carry bags, and stickers; and even my set of models were proudly on display. The type you could only purchase from the Airlines offices.
During 1984 to 1989 I would always take a trip out to the Perth Domestic airport. Behind glass, that divided the viewing area from the tarmac, was the best place to watch the crews at work. Seeing the crew in a group walking too, or from the aircraft. This spot was especially good to watch all the goings on around the aircraft. The uniforms of the time, TAA's Merco Davron uniform had now been replaced with the navy blue and dove grey suits made by Covers Design. The Covers uniform had epaulettes on jackets and blouses, I loved the mix and match of this uniform. Ansett had the Weiss navy blue suits with spot blouses, and a navy blue placement stripe pattern. And Qantas with its Pucci and Stewart Baker designed Peter Herro uniform. And from 1987 the Yves Saint Laurent uniform for Qantas.
1991 came along and I was working at the Hyatt Hotel in Perth. I would still come into contact with the crews, in the Hotel. It was great to see the updates. Australian Airlines updated its Covers Design uniform from navy blue and grey, to olivewood and blue. Ansett maintained relations with Peter and Adelle Weiss, and updates occured here; staying with the navy blue spots and stripes on blouses and dresses, and red accent colours in the hat band and accessories. Qantas updated their uniform with its merger with Australian Airlines. Yves St Laurent was retired and the George Gross and Harry Who designed uniform appeared.
In my late 20's I would venture across to the Perth International Airport to watch the International Cabin Crews get on and off the shuttle buses. I loved seeing the Thai, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and other crew wearing their uniforms. Perth domestic terminals was redesigned, the outside viewing area and glass divider are long gone, and their was no more up close view with the parked aircraft and Air Crews.
I decided to start collecting my own uniforms from the 80's to the mid 1990s; My favourite uniforms, from my favourite Aussie Airlines, from my favourite two decades. Air travel was so much different during these years, and collecting these uniforms and the memorabilia brings back memories of a time gone by in Aussie Aviation (I miss the Boeing 727, the Airbus A300 and the Fokker F28). I still have a few more favourite uniforms to find, and when I find them, they shall be placed on this website for all to see and be reminded.
*My 1999 Fokker F28 farewell Ticket, and Boarding Pass.
In 1999 I started with Ansett as a Reservations Officer. I was so happy to get a job within an Airline, and working within Ansett allowed me to attend the Ansett Fokker F28 Farewell. *The F28 was being retired and I was glad to be at the event that sadly marked the ending of the last of my three favourite aircraft (In 1997 the Boeing 727 was retired from Ansett). My time with Ansett ended with 17000 other staff on the morning of the 14th September 2001; the very same morning, on Ansett Boeing 767 (VH-RMG) from Perth to Melbourne using my accrued days off to visit my gran and friends.
My Ansett staff ID.
On arrival into Melbourne at 05.30am on the 14th September 2001, all on board are shocked and saddened to be told over the PA System, 'that Ansett is under administration, and their will be no more Ansett flights'. It was bizzarre that I should be on board the last 767 flight, and I kept my boarding pass from this flight (see boarding pass below). Ansett Mark 2 was short lived and used the Airbus A320 Skystar only. I got back into aviation for a stint with Qantas, at the Qantas Club in Perth.
My Boarding Pass, for the last Ansett flight on the 14th September 2001.
In 2002, I managed to grab a pair of Ansett aircraft seats from Ansett Supply in Melbourne. One from the 1980's and the other from the 1990's; Including an Ansett single food service trolley, life jackets, and much more. These are displayed on this website for a reminder of days gone by.
In Summary:
I have collected, swapped, purchased, travelled, and ebayed Aussie Airline pieces to get it to the point it is today. And with the joy of collecting, is the joy of displaying my collection. Having it on view in my spare room for me alone to see is great for me, but no one else sees them. I am happy to be able to share the collection through this website.
I don't have all the Aussie Airline uniforms from the last 4 decades, just some of my favourites. But as a collector I thrive on the hunt, the search, and the hope, that someone out there will see my collection, and have that missing Aussie Airline uniform I am searching for.
I hope you enjoy the Website.
  PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR NEW ITEMS ADDED TO THE COLLECTION.
Click 'PLAY' to hear the tune -"I Still Call Australia Home". Sung by the Australian Girls & Boys Choir, in 2001. |
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