Double talk ironed out

THE likeness is uncanny.

Dawn Crichlow and her doppelganger Leanne Schultz look so similar that for a year people working across the road from Leanne’s Southport factory thought Dawn had opened up shop making ironing board covers.

“People were going around saying I’m making ironing board covers,” the Southport councillor said.

“I don’t even own an iron and they reckon I’m creating ironing board mania. Leanne goes to my bowls club (Southport) and she just looks like me.”

Leanne and husband Graham run Sewroo, which they started in 1999.

The couple make ironing board covers and accessories including wash bags and supply all Sofitel hotels in Australia and New Zealand.

The products are popular, with customers placing orders worth up to $10,000 each month through sewroo.com.au.

Leanne said she had become used to being mistaken for Dawn.

“It happens everywhere, including Southport Little Theatre where I volunteer,” she said. “I find it quite funny. “I never heard anyone say it and then all of a sudden it seemed everyone was pointing it out.

“People are always saying, ‘You look like that councillor’.”

Leanne said it started soon after she moved into the Southport factory.

A new cafe was opening across the road and Dawn was seen having a look around.

Then the cafe workers saw Leanne at the Sewroo shop and thought the veteran councillor had gone in for a career change.

Dawn is keeping philosophical about the whole situation.

“There is only one other ugly person like me on the Gold Coast and that is Leanne,” she joked.

As for Leanne, she is keeping mum on perhaps taking Dawn’s place when she retires.

“I don’t know if Dawn would like that,” she said.

“I’d have to spend too long waiting for her to retire.”