When the Hipchicks Went to War

Going to a war is just about the last thing on sixteen-year-old Kathys mind. It s the 1960s, there are miniskirts to wear, Beatles and Stones music to listen to and discos to go to. Theres the Vietnam War, of course, but thats way in the background. While training as a hairdresser in Brisbane, Kathy gets a part-time job as a go-go dancer in a city disco. Her protective older brother, Mick, keeps a close eye on her. But when Mick turns twenty, hes drafted, and sent off to the army. That brings the war a lot closer Mick could end up in Vietnam.

Then Kathy sees an advertisement for an audition for a touring entertainment troupe. Full-time entertainment work! She eagerly goes along to the audition with a fellow dancer, Gaynor. It looks like a great job only catch is, the tours in Vietnam. Kathy still wants the job. Kathy and Gaynor are approached by another auditionee, Layla. She suggests theyd have more chance of getting the job as a trio. They have fifteen minutes to put an act together. And they do it. They will now, Layla tells them, be known as the Hipchicks . Their trademark will be their knee-high white boots. They get the job. Vietnam is a total eye opener.

Firstly they re offered a two-week job touring American hospitals. The girls sing for boys wholl have to live without a leg, or an arm, or an eye. And for some boys who wont live at all. Then the real tour begins. The Hipchicks travel around Vietnam in trucks, aircraft and helicopters. They are a raving success. The soldiers start to demand them. Wheres the boots? We want the boots!

The girls cope with heat that rots their wigs and costumes; with travelling every day and performing every night; with the ever-present danger of bullets and bombs. They cope until One night, performing in a remote American-army camp, a soldier with a grudge against his sergeant takes a shot at him. Just one shot. But thats all it takes. And Laylas right in the way.
Kathy and Gaynor, stunned, escort Laylas body home. They don t go back to Vietnam. The Hipchicks are finished. But every year, on one special day, Kathy and Gaynor attend a dawn service at the war memorial. They wear their Hipchick white boots. And they give their own, special Hipchick salute for Layla and they remember when the Hipchicks went to war.