On Thursday, former secretary of the NSW branch of the Australian Women’s Land Army, Margaret Messer, presented the old uniform to five Griffith veterans who would have worn one like it more than 70 years ago.

Lola Smellie, Esme Wirth, Kath Savage, Gwen Chilvers and June Gulloni accepted the gift on behalf of the museum.

The trip back to Griffith follows after one in April when Mrs Messer, whose own mother was a member of the Land Army and worked in Griffith for around six months, handed over a special banner.

Mrs Messer said she was happy to make the latest presentation to add to the growing collection, which recognises the important role the women played in Griffith during World War II.

“It’s a real privilege to come here to Griffith because the museum is keeping such an important memory alive,” she said.

“It is worn when marching on Anzac Day now.

“It took many years to get permission to march, the part these women played in the war efforts was not acknowledged for a long time.”

The uniform includes an olive green blazer, with a pocket emblem featuring a sheath of wheat in the design and a white skirt.

During the short ceremony museum committee member Theo Bollen said it was a great honour to accept the uniform.

“The last time when Margaret was here in April we promised we’d make sure what the Land Army did for Griffith was not forgotten,” he said.

“Since then we have been busy compiling a record of names of all the girls who came here to help, some stayed for a very short while, but others like the five here today stayed.

“They were made of tough stuff and still are.”

Many of the women who worked on the land during the Second World War spent time on Griffith properties.