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From queen of agriculture to miss showgirl: Embodying rurality in twentieth‐century Australia
Citation
Darian-Smith, K, From queen of agriculture to miss showgirl: Embodying rurality in twentieth‐century Australia, Journal of Australian Studies, 25, (71) pp. 17-31. ISSN 1444-3058 (2001) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
© 2018 Informa UK Limited
DOI: doi:10.1080/14443050109387717
Abstract
The judging of the inaugural Victorian Miss Showgirl competition was held on
Thursday 19 September 1957 in Centenary Hall at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
Crowds gathered to see almost a hundred entrants parade the narrow stage to
exhibit their 'personality, dress sense and grooming'. This state-wide competition
was organised by the Victorian Royal Agricultural Society as a new 'highlight of
the show', and was promoted by its co-sponsor, the Sun-News-Pictorial, as being
'open to all single girls between 16 and 25 years of age' whose photos met the
approval of the newspaper's General Manager. The Sun carried photos of each
'heat' winner, with nine women eventually, chosen for the final parade on Show
Day. Kay Nielsen, an 18 year-old shop assistant from the Melbourne suburb of
Thornbury was awarded the title. Next day, the Sun's front cover described 'Kay'
as 'a brunette with green eyes', gave her height, weight and 'vital statistics', and
reported that she 'smiled through tears' as she received her sash and £250 prize.
Ms Nielsen was obviously a popular winner; she later became Miss Victoria as an
entrant in the Miss Australia contest (a competition also sponsored by the Sun).
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | history, Australia |
Research Division: | History, Heritage and Archaeology |
Research Group: | Historical studies |
Research Field: | Australian history |
Objective Division: | Culture and Society |
Objective Group: | Understanding past societies |
Objective Field: | Understanding Australia's past |
UTAS Author: | Darian-Smith, K (Professor Kate Darian-Smith) |
ID Code: | 124246 |
Year Published: | 2001 |
Deposited By: | College Office - CALE |
Deposited On: | 2018-02-14 |
Last Modified: | 2018-04-20 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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