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Miss Australia reigns supreme at Melbourne Museum!
The glamour and the golden years of the Miss Australia competition are explored in a new exhibition opening at Melbourne Museum on 11 October 2007.
Did you know that the first competition to find Australia’s most beautiful woman was won by Victoria’s own Alice Buckridge in 1908? Or that, in 1993, debate over the inclusion of men arose with the entry of Mr Damian Taylor into the quest? Miss Australia: A Nation’s Quest traces the history of the competition, from its beginnings as a magazine promotion in 1908, to its ascendancy as a national cultural event and its end in 2000. “Miss Australia at different times was a beauty queen, an advocate for the disabled, a trade ambassador and a fundraiser,” according to National Museum of Australia senior curator Sophie Jensen. “But across the years Miss Australia was always been representative of an ‘ideal’ Australian woman, and this changing notion of ideal womanhood reflects much broader changes in history and society.”
The Miss Australia exhibition traces the quest’s popularity, which peaked in the 1950s and 1960s, when the national winners were front page news. The exhibition includes crowns, gowns and other iconic regalia which were part of the competition’s history, along with historic photographs and footage of key Miss Australia moments.
The Miss Australia exhibition also follows the competition’s changing fortunes, as it faced challenges from feminist and lobby groups for the disabled, declining public interest and participation levels and the debate over whether men should take part.
“The Miss Australia competition was one of the most powerful icons created in the history of Australian charitable endeavour, raising more than $90 million for cerebral palsy,” comments Brett Dunlop, Manager, Melbourne Museum.
“The objects from the competition that I’m looking forward to seeing include the ‘Stop the Miss Victoria Quest’ protest poster from 1984, along with one of Phyllis Von Alwyn’s prizes for winning the 1927 quest – an ostrich feather cape. I also hope to see some of our visitors re-enacting the announcement of the winner – gasps of surprise, air-kisses all around and a few fixed smiles over clenched teeth!”
Miss Australia: A Nation’s Quest is a travelling exhibition developed and presented by the National Museum of Australia.
Melbourne Museum
11 October 2007 – 6 April 2008
Included in Museum entry. Adults $6, children and concession FREE
For further information ph 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au
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