Wool Festival Queen 1954
YVONNE COVENTRY CROWNED QUEEN OF WOOL FESTIVAL
£990 Raised for Anglican Church
Great Southern Herald
3 December, 1954
Months of organisation came to an end on Tuesday when Miss Yvonne Coventry was crowned Queen of the Wool Festival with due pomp and ceremony at the Wool Ball held in the Katanning Town Hall. The Festival resulted in £989/17/4 being raised for the St. Andrew’s Church, Katanning.
The contest created great interest as the lead was continually changing in the past months. The selection of a queen was made on a voting system, each vote representing a penny, the proceeds going to the Anglican Church.
At the Ball, a table was set up in the corner to receive the votes and a continual stream of people went to the polls to register their choice. The progressive tallies were shown on a black board on the stage.
At the conclusion of open voting at 10 p.m., Miss Ruth Langley of Nyabing was the outright leader with 38,043 votes. Miss Pam Meyers of Broomehill was second with 33,040 and Miss Coventry third with 31,393. After half an hour of silent voting, during which time no results were given the total rose to a staggering amount.
At 10.30 p.m. a carpet was laid down the centre of the hall and the contestants made their entry. Heralded by the traditional fanfare of trumpets the contestants were escorted by two small attendants, appropriately dressed.
After mounting the stage, the “Chief Electoral Officer” Mr C. E. Courtis, announced the winner and the final voting results. A total of 204,364 votes had been cast, representing £851/10/4. 101,476 votes had been lodged in the final half hour. Of this total Miss Coventry had registered 75,234 votes, Miss Langley 65,550 and Miss Meyers 63,580.
Mr Courtis then asked Mr C. B. Ball, Chairman of the Australian Wool Bureau, to crown the Queen.
In his address Mr Ball said he was very honoured to be able to perform this function, firstly because wool was the mainstay of the district and functions of this nature were of great benefit to the industry as well all the district. The second reason, he said, was it associated him with three very beautiful girls.
He congratulated the girls on their fine effort and also the Anglican Church for the excellent management of the function. He then crowned Miss Coventry with a gold crown, presented to her by a liveried page boy.
Called to the microphone, Miss Coventry found difficulty in speaking, but expressed her surprise at being selected. She thanked all who had helped her in any way and congratulated the other contestants. The three contestants were then joined by their partners and danced one circuit of the hall before going to supper with the official party.
Miss Coventry was dressed in white figured organdie with a white nylon yoke and white accessories. She was partnered by Mr Ray Baxter. Miss Langley wore a white marquisette off-the-shoulder gown with a very full skirt, a shoulder spray and white accessories. She was accompanied by Mr Ron Keay. Miss Meyers wore a white tulle over satin gown with spangled bodice, a sweetheart neckline and cap sleeves and white accessories. Miss Meyers was partnered by Mr Maurice Marshall.
The ball was well supported and door takings of £138/7/0 were added to the proceeds of the Festival.
I would love to see a photograph of each of these young ladies if anyone has any to share.
Click the image above
Wool Festival Queen. Wool Festival Queen. Wool Festival Queen.