And Baa-A-A To You Too!

The Wool Promotion Week attracted very wide interest and drew crowds of thousands to the magnificent displays held in the Gisborne Sheepfarmers' Woolstore in Innes Street. Highlight of the promotion was the story of wool in New Zealand by Godfrey Bowen. Each type of sheep was shown on stage, its wool type explained and other interesting facts given. Then the two wool board models, Michelle Paul and Jenny Higgs, would parade garments made from that wool.

Glamorous Michelle Paul models an evening dress in front of some of the sheep who, incidentally, were most impressed with the results gotten from their fleeces.

Jenny Higgs in a stunning all wool creation

Michelle Paul in an Oriental style slack suit.

Michelle again in a startlingly simple frock.

Mrs Pat Stewart compered the parade. Godfrey Bowen at right.

Beverley Cuthbert won the senior make and model contest.

Linda Carruthers, Dianne Wood and Lorraine Pool were among the make and model finalists.

Rosemary Bruce - another finalist

Jenny Bruce also paraded

Three others also in the finals were Josie van Melsen, Noeline Horne,3, and Patricia Donnelly 2.

Just one of the many magnificent displays at the promotion depicting the many uses to which this valuable New Zealand product can be put.

This wedding dress with a background of Poverty Bay and Young Nick's Head attracted wide attention. It was made completely of wool.

"Spinning, spinning, spinning" -Margaret White (at wheel), Dawn Seymour and Naomi Shanks.

All the items on this stand were over 100 years old, including the dress, tapestries and carpet. All were made from pure wool and came from Poverty Bay homes.

A marvellous range of woollen goods was displayed by the occupational therapy department of the Cook Hospital.

At the Bank of New South Wales, shearing and spinning demonstrations were held during the week. John Moeke of Rotorua, a blade shearing exponent, demonstrates his skill.

Also at the Bank Mrs Elizabeth Read spun the fleeces.

Mrs Pani Whatuira knits from the fleece as Helen, Kowhai and Stuart Cameron look on.

From Makaraka comes Mrs Lydia Rowley who has been spinning for thirty-five years.

Mrs Dorothy Williams, one of the oldest spinners at the promotion, comes from Mangapapa.

Flat out in the Adair's sponsored speed knitting competition are the nine competitors. The first three, from the left, are Colleen Lalor, Ellen Gibson and Jennifer McGrannachan who were third, second and first respectively.

The Woolly West Coasters won the Silver Spinning Wheel for the fastest entry in the spin and knit competition. From left: Pam Fairmaid, Betty Elcock, Ellen Gibson, Beth Mathieson, Colleen Lalor and Joyce Wyatt.

The Mahia team won the Kiwi Craft trophy for knitting from the fleece. From left, in front: Joyce Ormond, Heria Rongo, Pat Cotton (standing in for Mattie Ormond), and at back: Ora Rongo, Margaret Taumata and Joyce King.

Judith Whitley, Christine Hogan and Sharon Hughes were first, second and third in the junior speed knitting..

Jennifer McGrannachan, winner Adair's speed knitting.

Jennifer Williams, winner schoolgirl speed knitting.

Mrs Esther Taylor, the nationally known spinner from Petone, demonstrates her craft at the spinning wheel

Mrs Shirley Hamer, Napier, interested many people as she weaved her loom

Part of one of the large crowds which thronged the demonstrations and displays during the wool promotion. This shot shows the hilarity caused during the male section of the make and model contest.

Mrs Lily Read of Motu was another country woman to demonstrate her craft

Members of the Mahia team put the finishing touches to their entry in the knitted garment straight from the fleece. They won the competition.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 179 : May 21, 1969

And Baa-A-A To You Too!