“Miss Canterbury,” 1971

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32531, 15 February 1971, Page 6

“Miss Canterbury,” 1971

An 18-year-old Christchurch girl, Miss Cheryl Hopkins, is the “Miss Canterbury,” 1971. She was awarded the title on Saturday evening at a function organised by the Christchurch Jaycees.

The “Miss Photogenic” title was awarded to Miss Wendy Swiggs, "Miss Personality,” chosen by the contestants, is Miss Catherine McPhail.

Third place was given to Miss Mary Askin, of Hinds, and second place to Miss Elaine Fisher, from North Christchurch. Then with a roll of drums Miss Hopkins was announced the winner and was crowned with the silver and blue crown by the 1970 “Miss Canterbury,” Miss Shona Lewis. Probably the audience’s favourite, the tall blonde, Miss Hopkins, was congratulated with a firm round of applause by the hundreds of people in the hall. Formal dress With most of the audience in formal dress it was a gay and glittering occasion matched by the contestants’ final appearance in evening gowns. Miss Hopkins looked very chic in a full length flowing crepe dress which featured a low V neck and was slightly gathered under the bust with a tie trim. Her long full sleeves were gathered into deep cuffs. Miss Fisher wore a sleeve- ; less red crepe gown with cross-over panels back and i front in a Grecian style, l while the third place-getter, ■Miss Askin, wore a bright maroon ribbed dress styled [with a low round neck and! i sheer sleeves, in the same l I colour. Before their final and for-| mal appearance when thei girls had to answer questions! put to them by Mr Joe Cote, ( they paraded in street-wear ( and swim-wear. Midis were the choice of i only one or two contestants! in the street-wear parade but! hats, mostly with large! brims, made a pleasant and! unexpected appearance on the scene.

White one-piece bathing (suits were the most popular (.colour and style for the I swim-wear parade.

Fashion parade

I Entertainment between the (girls’ appearances came from a fashion parade of winter styles accompanied by- soft rock music, from Miss Macleod, the chief sponsor of the contest.

Christine Smith and Tap lHeperi also entertained with some vocal numbers during the evening. Prizes for a pick the winner contest and the best dressed member of the audience were awarded by the president of the Christchurch Jaycee, Mr S. Hackwell.

Mr I. Harrison, convenor of the “Miss Canterbury” contest announced the final places and, assisted by his committee of 14 and the president, he presented the 15 finalists with bouquets. The show was compered by Mrs P. Wallace and the judges were Messrs N. Arrow, I. Penrose, R. Stewart and Mesdames J. Harnett and M. Baird.

In a short interview after

the contest Miss Hopkins was somewhat speechless except to say she found it “overwhelming.” “1 didn’t think I had a chance,” was her response as to whether she thought she had a good chance of winning. “I was very nervous throughout the contest.” She is the daughter of Mrs and Mr A. T. Hopkins of Withells Road, Christchurch, and has a brother and sister younger than herself. Educated at Riccarton High (School Miss Hopkins has (worked for the last 18 months (as a bank clerk and manager’s typist at the Australian and I New Zealand bank in Riccarton.

! Art, fashion, dressmaking, reading, popular music, ballet, and modem dancing are |Miss Hopkins’s interests and I hobbies.

Her prizes include $3OO in (cash, fashion clothing to the value of $l5O, a return air trip for Rotorua via Mount ICook, a maxi coat, hosiery and an insurance policy. She will also receive honorary membership of the Christchurch Jaycees for 1971. Proceeds from the contest will go to Birthwright. The photograph shows Miss Hopkins, flanked by the second place-getter, Miss Fisher (right), and the third placegetter (Miss Mary Askin).