ACT Heritage Library Manuscript Collections
HMSS 0445 Waltons 1979 Quest of Quests Beauty Contest
Scope and Content Notes
| Call Number | HMSS 0445 |
|---|---|
| Collection | Waltons 1979 Quest of Quests Beauty Contest |
| Date Range | 1979 |
| Quantity | 0.01m (1 wallet) |
| Access Conditions | open |
| Copying Conditions | with attribution |
| Related Collections |
John Robert Walton founded the Australian department store chain Waltons. The chain of stores operated from 1951 to 1987 and were located throughout the country, including Canberra at the then Monaro Mall in the City. Waltons was associated with the Quest of Quests Beauty Contest for several years, including sponsoring the event, and employing the finalists for in-store fashion parades.
The Waltons 1979 Quest of Quests final was held at Albert Hall on 19 September. The event was attended by then Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser and his wife, Tamie Fraser; the Governor General Sir Zelman Cowen and his wife, Lady Cowen; and some two hundred guests. Other notable attendees included Hollywood actress Carol Lynley, in the capacity as judge, and Princess Esther Kamatari of Burundi.
The competition, made up of twelve finalists, was won by Jodie Day, aged seventeen, of Brisbane. Day won entry into the Miss World competition in London as Australia’s representative, a new car and $1,000. Other winners included Lorraine McGrady, winner of Miss Asia Australia title; Joanne Bacon, winner of Miss Young International title; and Debbie Newsome, winner of Miss International title.
The controversy generated by the Miss World pageant, particularly for its promotion of the bikini, affected the event at Albert Hall. It was objected to by several women’s organisations, such as the Women’s Electoral Lobby. Some particularly objected to the event being held in Canberra, a place for the recognition of serious national achievement. However The Canberra Times report of the final being televised focused on the boost to tourism with the then Minister for the Capital Territory, Mr Ellicott, reported saying "having the finals in Canberra was a very good promotion for the ACT" (The Canberra Times,19 September 1979, p.9). The article further adds that the finalists would be broadcasted visiting tourist venues in the ACT during the televised program.
This collection of colour photographs capture how Albert Hall was set up to accommodate the event, a number of significant guests who attended and proceedings of the event, including the winning competitors.
Bibliography
1979, ‘Three million to watch quest final,’ The Canberra Times, 19 September, p. 9.
Rees, J. 1979, ‘Jodie Day is off to seek the world title,’ The Australian Women’s Weekly, 10 October 1979, p. 14-15.
Waltons (department store), 9 March 2016, Wikipedia, URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waltons_(department_store), Accessed 27 April 2016.
Box List
IMAGE | DESCRIPTION | Quantity | SIZE in cm |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Man in uniform standing outside marquee near Albert Hall before event | 1 photo | 12.5 x 17.5 |
2 | Balloons over side entrance to Albert Hall | 1 photo | 12.5 x 17.5 |
3-4 | Tamie Fraser meeting unidentified dignitary, with Malcolm Fraser and others in background | 2 photos | 12.5 x 17.5 |
5-6 | Interior of marquee set up with refreshments | 2 photos | 12.5 x 17.5 |
7-8 | Red carpet in entrance way with ballroom in background | 2 photos | 13 x 17.5 |
9-10 | Crowd entering ballroom set up with stage and dining tables | 2 photos | 13 x 17.5 |
11 | Crowd watching Master of Ceremonies on stage | 1 photo | 10.5 x 9 |
12-14 | Unidentified contestants on stage | 3 photos | 9 x 9 |
15 | Miss Western Australia, Master of Ceremonies and other contestants on stage | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
16 | Miss New South Wales Debbie Newsome, Master of Ceremonies and other contestants on stage | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
17 | Miss New South Wales Debbie Newsome and Master of Ceremonies on stage | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
18 | Miss Queensland Jodie Day on stage with Master of Ceremonies | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
19-20 | Master of Ceremonies interviewing unidentified contestant | 2 photos | 9 x 9 |
21-22 | Princess Esther Kamatari being interviewed by Master of Ceremonies | 2 photos | 9 x 9 |
23 | Princess Esther Kamatari on runway | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
24 | Debbi Newsome and escort on runway | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
25 | Unidentified contestant and escort approach runway | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
26 | Unidentified contestant and escort on runway with others in background | 3 photos | 9 x 9 |
29 | Joanne Bacon and escort on runway with others in background | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
30 | Jodie Day and escort on runway with others in background | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
31 | View of Joanne Bacon being awarded Miss Young International | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
32 | Lorraine McGrady being awarded Miss Asia Australia | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
33 | Debbie Newsome on runway after being awarded Miss International | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
34 | Jodie Day after being awarded winner of Miss World competition | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
35 | Jodie Day is presented with winner’s sash by Silvana Suarez | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
36-37 | Silvana Suarez crowns Jodie Day winner of pageant | 2 photos | 9 x 9 |
38-39 | Jodie Day wearing winner's sash, crown and robe on runway | 2 photos | 9 x 9 |
40 | Jodie Day, Joanne Bacon, Debbie Newsome and Lorraine McGrady on runway | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
41 | View of Master of Ceremonies on stage | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
42 | Master of ceremonies on stage | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
43 | Unidentified contestants carrying flag of Western Australia | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
44-45 | Unidentified contestant carrying flag of New South Wales | 2 photos | 9 x 9 |
46 | Jodie Day wearing crown and sash | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
47-48 | Jodie Day wearing winner’s articles with unidentified man | 2 photos | 9 x 9 |
49 | Joanne Bacon and Lorraine Grady converse on stage after winning | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
50 | Jodie Day seated in throne after winning Miss World Australia with one hand on crown | 1 photo | 9 x 9 |
51 | Jodie Day adjusts crown after winning with both hands | 1 photo | 9 x 5 |
52 | Jodie Day blowing kiss after winning | 1 photo | 9 x 5 |
53 | Jodie Day seated in throne after winning Miss World Australia with both hands in lap | 1 photo | 9 x 5 |
54 | Jodie day wearing winner's sash, crown and robe | 1 photo | 9 x 5 |
55 | Jodie Day adjusts crown after winning with one hand | 1 photo | 9 x 5 |
56 | Jodie Day seated in throne after winning Miss World Australia with cape over right shoulder facing left | 1 photo | 9 x 5 |
57 | Jodie Day seated in throne after winning Miss World Australia with cape over right shoulder facing front | 1 photo | 9 x 5 |
58 | Photographer taking picture of Jodie Day seated on throne | 1 photo | 9 x 5 |
Man in uniform standing outside marquee near Albert Hall before event
Man in uniform standing outside marquee near Albert Hall before event
Man in uniform standing outside marquee near Albert Hall before event