Historical information

Identification has been given as follows: LHS 'page': Jeff Holland (?); RHS 'page': Derek Manley; Queen: Leila Hanslow; young women L to R: Olwyn Powys, Hazel Bodley, Mary Clucas (nee Holborn), Connie Eastwood. Girls: L - Barbara Fair; R - Unknown. Gentlemen not identified.
The Queen Carnival was a fundraiser for the Holy Trinity Tennis Club. The Queen Carnival Coronation was held in the Canterbury Memorial Hall on 11 June 1940.
Mrs F Eastwood was the trainer and the Honorary Secretary of the tennis club.
The donor Mary Holborn married Geoffrey Stroud Clucas in 1946 in Surrey Hills.

Significance

The photo documents a social fundraising practice common in the early 20th century. Queen carnivals were also popular in New Zealand. In both countries they were particularly common during World War I and in the years after, when they were used to raise funds for returned soldiers. The first such carnival is believed to have been held in Napier, New Zealand, in 1913. The carnivals were not always annual events, and were held in various locations throughout a year.

Physical description

Black and white group photo of 6 men, 5 women, 2 girls and 2 boys in formal and / or mock-Elizabethan costume mounted on cardboard which has been roughly trimmed. The Queen is seated in the centre and the 2 young girls are seated either side and slightly in front of her. The 2 'pages' and the men and other women are standing evenly divided either side of her. The photo appears to have been taken in a hall.

Inscriptions & markings

REAR: "Holy Trinity Tennis Club Queen Carnival / June 11 / 1940 / M Clucas / 33 Jurang St / Balwyn"