On Ventia's National Clothing Store Services (NCSS) contract, a standard service is bespoke uniform tailoring. This service steps up a notch (pun intended) as our tailors prepare the Anzac Day ceremonial uniforms for the Australian Defence Force.

This job takes months of dedicated effort, and our tailors are hard at work from January making alterations, sewing on rank, updating members medals and manufacturing ribbon bars.  

^{Anzac Day is an important day in the Defence calendar and our tailors work hard to ensure the ceremonial uniforms reflect the respect that both Defence and Ventia have for our ANZACs.}
 

Anzac Day is a day of remembrance to commemorate the Australian and New Zealand troops that have lost their lives in war, it mirrors the date that ANZAC troops landed at Gallipoli in 1915. It is an important day in the Defence calendar and our tailors work hard to ensure the ceremonial uniforms reflect the respect that both Defence and Ventia have for our ANZACs. 

The uniforms you see worn proudly on Anzac Day are the culmination of months of hard work and we are always proud to see that on display when we watch the many Defence members marching in parades and attending local Anzac Day ceremonies on 25 April.  

Linda Dorman and Karen Rigby, Tailors at our RAAF Richmond Store say, "It is the pinnacle of our work to see Defence members march in their uniform, the uniform we have tailored. It's so special seeing them wear that uniform with such pride".

^{Khalida Ahmad with a ceremonial jacket and medals at HMAS Kuttabul.} 

Our 30+ Clothing Stores around Australia log more than 115,000 tailoring tasks for alterations and fittings in preparation for Anzac Day ceremonies. This equates to around 5,750 hours of work as they tailor uniforms for all services up to and including the most senior ranks in the ADF.

One store, at HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney have tailored over 260 ceremonial jackets since January like the ones pictured above.    

"It is indeed a busy time of year, but we love it" says Linda Dorman from RAAF Richmond.  

I am thankful for the sacrifice, past and present that Defence members have made for our country. I think of this often when I am working on the uniforms.

^{Tailor at RAAF Richmond Store, Linda Dorman with two Defence members at RAAF Richmond.}

^{Top image: Yusra Syed, Tailor at HMAS Kuttabul Clothing Store prepares a ceremonial jacket.}