CHERRY BLOSSOM QUEEN

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27907, 2 March 1956, Page 2

CHERRY BLOSSOM QUEEN

N.S.W. Girl Visits Christchurch TOUR AS PART OF PRIZE FOR CONTEST About 400 cherry orchards were situated in the district of Orange, New South Wales, and in October they were in full bloom when the cherry blossom festival was held, said Miss Audrey Beasley, who arrived in Christchurch yesterday on the first stage of a 16 days' tour of New Zealand. The tour was part of the-prize she won when she was acclaimed queen of the cherry blossom festival. She is 21.

The festival had been held each October for the last eight years, Miss Beasley said. Last year and this year, proceeds from the queen contest were given to help to build an Olympic-length swimming pool in Orange. It was hoped to open the pool officially next year. More money was still required for it, and she thought proceeds from next year’s cherry blossom carnival would also be given to the pool fund. The queen contest was not a beauty contest. Miss Beasley said. “We didn't have to get into bathing suits or parade before judges,” she said. The six queen candidates were nominated by certain clubs. She was the Chamber of Commerce candidate. The festival lasted for a week, but the queen contest, which was concerned with raising money, started some months before. Just before the festival, candidates were interviewed by a panel of judges, who gave points for general knowledge, a dress sense, and personality. In addition to winning the trip, Miss Beasley was given £5O towards a wardrobe for the trip, and as she was the queen candidate who raised most money for the carnival, she won another prize of £5O. That was the inspiration for her father’s trip too, she said. Her mother had been given a trip as chaperon. Interest in Aviation Miss Beasley has travelled by air in Australia on smaller planes, but the trip yesterday was her first on a large plane. “It was a wonderful trip,” she said. “I’d love to learn to fly.” She had joined the aero club in Orange some time ago, but at that time had not had the opportunity to take lessons in flying. She has travelled in most of the States of Australia, and her hobbies include theatrical work. She is a member of the Orange Dramatic Society, and just before leaving this year played the leading role of Billie Dawn in “Eorn Yesterday.” In Orange, Miss Beasley works in a frock shop owned by a friend, and she also acts as a mannequin there. Shortly after her return to Australia, she will take part in a novel mannequin parade which the owner of her shop is organising at a cocktail party at a new bowling club in the district. This morning. Miss Beasley will attend a reception to be given by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.) and on Saturday, accompanied by her parents, Mr and Mrs A. E. Beasley, she will leave for Mount Cook. Her itinerary will include Lake Wanaka, Queenstown. Milford Sound, Lake Te Anau, and Dunedin.