History: Marlborough’s Queen of the Air Race

WENDY SIMONSEN AND PAUL DAVIDSON, Marlborough Historical Society

1953 marked 50 years since the Wright brothers flew the first ever aeroplane and launched the aviation era. Anniversary celebrations included an International Air Race from London to Christchurch, in which New Zealand’s only entry was a Handley Page Hastings transport aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

The Canterbury International Air Race Council also planned a competition to find the “Queen of the Air Race”. The candidates for this honour were women aged between 21 and 27 years old, with good health and a secondary education level.

The judges were looking for experience in serving supper or teas, previous work as a receptionist or similar role, and an interest in sports. Nursing experience and the ability to speak French were listed as helpful but not essential, and she must have parents’ permission to fly.

Ten ladies from Auckland to Southland entered the competition, being flown to Christchurch by the Air Race Council. The winning “Queen” would attend the prize-giving to the winning aircrews by Governor-General Sir Willoughby Norrie.

Rather than parade in swimsuits, the candidates were to be judged on their merits, personality, character and common sense by a panel of six judges including well-known radio personalities Selwyn Toogood and Aunt Daisy.

Marlborough’s entry was Miss Shirley Cutler, the senior director of a Blenheim kindergarten.

The International Air Race and Air Queen contests took off in October 1953. The Race was won by a Royal Air Force Canberra bomber piloted by Flight Lieutenant Roland (Monty) Burton. It was the first flight from the United Kingdom to New Zealand to be completed in under 24 hours – by just 10 minutes.

Our Air Force did not do so well, only getting as far as Ceylon (Sri Lanka) before weather and engine failure ended its race.

Marlborough’s Air Queen entry did somewhat better. When Aunt Daisy announced the winners at the Majestic Theatre, Shirley Cutler took third prize – a 50-pound voucher and a handbag from a Christchurch store. Miss Patricia Lloyd of Dunedin became the winning “International Air Race Queen”.

When asked by compere Selwyn Toogood how she felt about her success Shirley could only reply - “I am speechless!” But she remains a small Marlborough part of the great Air Race of 1953.