Gail Hughes Chosen as Mrs East Coast

Disbelief and then realisation brought conflicting emotions to the face of Mrs Gail Hughes when it was announced that she had won the Mrs East Coast title at the area final of the Mrs New Zealand contest. The final of the contest, organised by Plunket and G.H.B., was held before a packed audience in the War Memorial Hall. Contestants paraded twice, the first time in casual wear, and the second in day wear. At their first appearance the entrants were asked two or three questions by compere Stuart Stubbs. Mrs Janet Bodle announced each contestant and gave the audience details about them. At their second appearance the judges made their final decisions.

An elated Gail Hughes after the announcement.

Mixed emotions follow. Gail's interests include fashion, squash, music, reading, sewing and experimental cooking. She is the eldest daughter of George and Tib" Geddes.

For her day wear appearance Mrs Hughes wore a kingfisher blue wool jersey A-line frock with three-quarter sleeves and a wide brimmed soft felt hat in the same shade. She carried pigskin gloves and handbag and wore matching shoes. Other contestants are pictured on the following pages in their day wear outfits. Their interests are also listed.

Gail Hughes receives her prize voucher from one of the judges, Mr Ian Vernazoni

Another judge; the Mayoress, Mrs Nita Barker, places the sash for Mrs Hughes

Second in the contest was Mrs Liz Barns-Graham. Old gold woollen coat dress, tan accessories. Horse riding, tennis, swimming, music and cooking.

Mrs Phyllis Rickard was third. Orange-red spice pure wool dress, black accessories. Hockey, tennis, cooking and composing songs.

Mrs Lillian Stevens was the only entrant from Tolaga Bay. Houndstooth check suit in tones of cerise, jade and purple in pure wool, navy accessories. Travel, fashion, knitting and reading are her interests.

Judges Mr Ian Vernazoni, Mrs Mary McLachlan and Mrs Barker.

Comperes Stuart Stubbs and Janet Bodle.

Entertainment was provided by the Neill Quintette – Lionel, Beverley, Phillipa, Robyn and Sally (front) Left, and Regency Chauvel

Mrs Dinah Brown – wedgwood blue wool frock, navy accessories. Gardening, knitting, sewing, tennis and cooking.

Mrs Pat Flockhart – whipped cream toned wool jersey tailored frock, vandyke brown accessories, Sewing, gardening, floral work and Continental cooking.

Mrs Ruth Nepe – mauve all wool coat frock with pink and mauve blouse, navy accessories. Own sewing, and follows her husband's sporting interests (swimming, football and tennis). Likes cooking new dishes.

Mrs Liz Forrest – black and white fun-fur coat and hat, black and white accessories. Water skiing, Continental cooking, sewing and tropical fish.

Mrs Diane Grant – bone coloured wool gaberdine suit, burgundy and cream accessories. Interior decorating in her new home, gardening, sewing, music and cooking.

Mrs Joy Mcintosh – Prussian blue wool suit, bone gloves, pigskin shoes and bag. Grafts her own patterns, sewing, music and pottery.

Mrs Remonde Bartie – pure wool frock in black, red, green and tan tonings, black shoes, off-white gloves and red felt hat. Enjoys walking in the country, golf, and is concerned with the needs of elderly folk.

Mrs Elizabeth Twigley – French grey and beige check dress and jacket, pig skin accessories, bright rust felt hat. Dressmaking, cooking new recipes, and outings with her husband and family of six.

Mrs Rangi Kemp - red corduroy pinafore frock, white blouse, white bag and gloves, red shoes. Crochet work, soft toy making, cooking and gardening.

Mrs Jenny Mossman – dark brown pure wool suit, matching bag and pig skin gloves. Sewing, tennis, golf and family activities.

Mrs Evelyn Johnson – Chinese white wool dress, navy accessories. Continental cooking, "country and western" music, old-time and ballroom dancing.

Mrs Jean MacDonald – pure wool suit in houndstooth check ofcapri and muted green tonings, black accessories. Gardening, dressmaking, millinery and cooking.

Mrs Gillian Lister – turquoise crimplene A-line frock under turquoise tailored coat, black accessories. Cooking good wholesome meals, sewing for self and family, W.I. and church activities at Patutahi.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 193 : July 15, 1970

Gail Hughes Chosen as Mrs East Coast