“Miss Canterbury" Contest Attracts Large Crowds

Press, Volume C, Issue 29402, 3 January 1961, Page 10

“Miss Canterbury" Contest Attracts Large Crowds

“I don’t know where I am —I just haven’t realised it yet,” said Miss Susan Kellaway, who yesterday won the “Miss Canterbury” title at a bathing beauty contest at the New Brighton centennial carnival. A large crowd attended.

Miss Kellaway, aged 20, a doctor’s receptionist, entered the competition because her father dared her to. “He is very pleased that I have won,” she said.

“In the first round of the contest I was terrified.'* said Miss Kellaway. “In the second round I felt better, and thought that now I had gone so far I might as well complete the contest.” When asked for her vital statistics, Miss Kellaway said: “I don’t know. I will have to ask my mother." Her statistics are 35-20-35. Included in the first prize are trips to Auckland and Tauranga. Miss Kellaway, who returned last

October from Australia and the Far East, said that she had never been to either Auckland or Tauranga, and welcomed the opportunity. Last evening many friends and relatives who had heard of Miss Kellaway’s success in the contest gathered at her home to congratulate her and celebrate her win.

The first prize includes £ 100 in cash, a week’s holiday in Auckland with return air fare and accommodation paid, a swimsuit, a beauty case valued at llgns, six beauty treatments, a permanent wave, a studio photograph, a modelling course, a handbag, a long-playing record, a suitcase, shoes, and dry cleaning vouchers. The competition was run in two sections. At 2 pm. the six contestants paraded before a panel of four judges, Messrs J. Ambrose. P. Long. R. Claxton end Mrs S. McGavick. About 3.30 p.m. they paraded before a different panel of judges. Messrs D. Elliott, Martin Barriball, and W. Raines. The points awarded by both panels of judges were used to decide the winner. There were six contestants: “Miss New Brighton” (Miss Eleanor Kirkwood, aged 19): “Miss Riverama” (Miss Susan Kellaway, aged 20); “Miss Pines Beach” (Miss Marcia Sheppard, aged 19': “Miss South Brighton” (Miss Graine McConnol, aged 16); "Miss Waikuku” . (Miss Yvonne Meikle, aged 20): and “Miss Leithfield” (Miss Zelda Kissell, aged 17). Miss Kirkwood, of New Brighton. who was awared the second prize, received £25 in cash, a modelling course. £lO worth of cosmetics, a swimsuit, a hair treatment, towels, slippers, and some dry cleaning vouchers. Miss McConnol, the winner of the third prize, received £lO. a modelling course, a hair treatment. £5 worth of cosmetics, slippers, soap, and dry cleaning vouchers. Miss Kirkwood, who came second. won the final of the “Miss New Brighton” contest at the New Brighton centennial carnival on Saturday. Miss Kirkwood, who is a bookkeeping machinist and a model, won the “Miss South Brighton” and “Miss Canterbury" contests last summer, and was also “Queen of Industry.” The beauty contest was compered by the radio personality. Happi Hill, who also assisted in the awarding of the prizes. Miss Kellaway will fly to Tauranga to compete for the “Miss New Zealand" title on January 5 She will fly to Auckland for her week’s holiday on January 14. In Auckland she will have radio and television interviews and will be a guest of honour at the Auckland birthday carnival.