Top Essay Awards To Canterbury Women

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 2

Top Essay Awards To Canterbury Women

Two Canterbury women have won the two top awards in a world-wide essay contest for country women. They are Mrs Moana Frizzell, of Cust, and Mrs Beryl Osbahr, of Spencerville.

Mrs Frizzell’s essay was placed first out of 78 entries from 13 countries on the subject “How I Broaden My Horizons by Group Contacts and Study.” Mrs Osbahr’s won out of 53 entries from 13 countries on the subject “Our Children And Their Games.”

The competition is held triennially by the Associated Country Women of the World and judged in London. This year the prizes will be presented at the organisation’s conference to be held in Melbourne.

Mrs Frizzell has a record of nearly 28 years’ service in the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers and has held many executive offices. Mrs Osbahr is secretary of the Spencerville Women’s Institute, formed less than two years ago. Third Previously Mrs Frizzell was placed third in the A C W.W.’s last triennial essay contest and won the WD.F.F. essay cup about three years ago. She is now organiser for the Canterbury North provincial executive of the W.D.F.F. and is also secretary for the North Canterbury District co-ordinating committee of the W.D.F.F. and C.W.I. She is a former president of the Canterbury North provincial executive of the W.D.FJ’. and was a vicepresident of the Canterbury executive before the present North Canterbury executive was formed. She is editor of •’Home and Farm Link," the North Canterbury provincial executive’s publication. “I just could not believe it when I received word that I had won. But I will not be able to go to Melbourne to receive Ute prize.” Mrs Frizzell said last night. Mrs Osbahr said: “I can only say I hope to go to Melbourne, but it may be difficult as I have a young family.” Mrs Osbahr has not been

to Australia, but has a causin in Melbourne she would like to visit. “I was delighted to win the competition mainly because it brings our small institute of 28 members into the picture,” she said. Writing has been Mrs Osbahr’s main hobby for many years. When she lived in Auckland she belonged to the Triad Club, a group of women writers.

In her winning essay Mrs Osbahr compared her own

childhood and the games she played to the games of her own young family. In July last Mrs Osbahr jointly won the Robert Young Cup, awarded by the Dominion Federation of Country Women’s Institutes, with Mrs G. Braid (Tauranga) who was top in the other section (“How I Broaden My Horizons”) among C.WJ. members. These two essays, and those entered by the second and third place-getters in both sections were sent to the A.C.W.W. headquarters in London. Mrs Frizzell’s essay was one of three sent to London from Dominion headquarters of the WJj.F.F.

The Associated Country Women of the World has a link of 34 countries in constituent and corresponding societies.