4 This ANZAC Day, the VRC is proud to announce the Sybil Irving Trophy, a new race named in honour of Colonel Sybil Irving who was instrumental in the development of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS). Sybil Irving directed the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) from its inception in 1941 through to its demobilisation at the end of 1946, as Controller, Lieutenant-Colonel and then Colonel – the only Australian woman in the Second World War to achieve this rank. When a revamped Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps was created in 1951, Sybil Irving became Honorary Colonel. Under her supervision during war, the AWAS played a crucial part. At its peak it enlisted 20,000 women from 18 to 45 years into full-time non-combat roles. In Sybil Irving’s words, ‘An AWAS girl is a soldier, doing her best for her country, just as the men are. She frees up a man to go and fight.’ AWAS responsibilities encompassed a wide range including ordnance, electrical, mechanical, and transport duties. In 1945, AWAS personnel served in New Guinea. COLONEL SYBIL HOWY IRVING MBE (1897-1973) BY ANDREW LEMON
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