Historical information

This is a set of 12 photographs of the Army Survey Regiment’s winning entrant in the Miss Golden North Charity Queen quest - 2LT Kathie Ryan, taken on three occasions in 1985. The following article was compiled by the unit summarising her campaign. ‘On Friday 20 September 1985, 2LT Kathie Ryan of the Army Survey Regiment, Bendigo, faced a selection panel of a different kind. Kathie is an entrant in this years Miss Australia Quest and is sponsored by her unit. Together with seven other girls from Central Victora, Kathie vied for the Regional Title of Miss Golden North, held on 20 September 1985. With enthusiastic shouts of joy from the members of the Regiment present, Kathie Ryan was crowned Miss Golden North 1986. She is now one of 19 finalists contesting the title “Miss Victoria 1986”. “It has been a very rewarding experience being involved in raising money for such a worthwhile cause” said Kathie. “Organisations such as the Spastic Society, have a very important role in helping people with disabilities. To be involved with this society has been both enjoyable and a great learning experience”. The aim of the Miss Australia Quest is to raise funds for the Spastic Society of Australia. Kathie entered the Quest in March then, together with her committee, started to raise money. Over the next seven months, many fund-raising activities were conducted. These included an Open Day at the Army Survey Regiment, a Bingo night, several raffles, and several tin shakes in the streets of Bendigo as well a participating in several of the functions organised at a Regional or State level in the name of the Spastic Society. The total raised this year was in excess of $11,500. The Army Survey Regiment has now had 3 entrants in the Miss Australia Quest since 1981 and has raised over $23,000 for the Spastic Society in that time’ An abbreviated article with photo 6593.4P was published on page 12 of the Army Newspaper on 28 November 1985. Two articles with photographs were published in the Bendigo Advertiser Newspaper on 23 September and 30 October 1985. Clippings from these newspapers, a detailed breakdown of the funds raised during the campaign and the Army Survey Regiment’s Open Day Administrative Instruction are stored with these photographs. The Open Day was held on the weekend of 24-25 August 1985. Activities included static displays of armoured vehicles, map production displays, Army recruiting displays historical tours of Fortuna Villa, refreshments including Devonshire Teas, craft stalls, live music and children's rides.

Physical description

This is a set of 12 photographs of the Army Survey Regiment’s winning entrant in the Miss Golden North Quest - 2LT Kathie Ryan, taken on three occasions in 1985. The photographs were printed on photographic paper and are part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The colour and black and white photographs were scanned at 300 dpi. Included in this set are negatives of photo 6593.4P, 6593.5P and 6593.6P.

.1) - Photo, black & white, Open Day 23-24 Aug 1985. Unidentified visitor on APC vehicle.
.2) - Photo, black & white, Open Day 23-24 Aug 1985. Unidentified pipe band performs in front of APC vehicle.
.3) - Photo, black & white, Open Day 23-24 Aug 1985. View of Fortuna Villa.
.4) - Photo, black & white, Miss Australia Quest Presentation at All seasons Motor Inn 20 Sep 1985. 2LT Kathie Ryan crowned Miss Golden North Queen by former holder of the title Miss Celine Hull. Unidentified compere in background.
.5) - Photo, black & white, Miss Australia Quest Presentation at All seasons Motor Inn 20 Sep 1985. 2LT Kathie Ryan reacts winning the Miss Golden North Queen. Winner of the Miss Golden North Charity Queen title Miss Noelene Earle is on her right.
.6) - Photo, black & white, Miss Australia Quest Presentation at All seasons Motor Inn 20 Sep 1985. Title winners L to R: Miss Golden North Charity Queen - Noelene Earle, Miss North-West/Sunraysia & Charity Queen – Jo-Anne Collier and Miss Golden North Queen - 2LT Kathie Ryan.
.7) & .8) - Photo, colour, Miss Australia Quest Presentation at All seasons Motor Inn 20 Sep 1985. 2LT Kathie Ryan is escorted to the ceremony dais by LT Greg Oaten.
.9) - Photo, colour, Miss Australia Quest Presentation at All seasons Motor Inn 20 Sep 1985. 2LT Kathie Ryan with her escorts L to R: LT Greg Oaten and CAPT Neil Taylor.
.10) - Photo, colour, Miss Australia Quest Presentation at All seasons Motor Inn 20 Sep 1985. Miss Golden North Queen 2LT Kathie Ryan with her organising committee L to R: SPR Sherri (Dally) Burke, WO2 Pat Lumsden, RSM WO1 Bob Mason, 2LT Kathie Ryan, MAJ Alex McLennan - President, SPR Gae (Robinson) Amato – Secretary, CPL Mick Minchin – Treasurer.
.11) - Photo, colour, 1985. MAJ Alex McLennan presents 2LT Kathie Ryan with the Miss Golden North Queen prizes she had won at a celebration BBQ. In background L to R: SPR Wally Twidale, unidentified, SPR Dave Lambton-Young, SPR Jann (Caithness) Lambton-Young, unidentified, Mrs Pam Mason, WO2 Pat Lumsden.
.12) - Photo, colour, 1985. L to R: MAJ Alex McLennan, Miss Golden North Queen 1985 Miss Celine Hull, CO LTCOL Jorge Gruszka, CPL Mick Minchin, Miss Golden North Queen 1986 2LT Kathie Ryan. 2x unidentified ladies in background double exposure.

Inscriptions & markings

‘Miss Australia Quest 1985' annotated on cover sleeve.
.7P to .11P – names annotated on back of photographs.
’15 October 1985’ annotated on back of photographs .7P to .9P is probably incorrect, based on other reports and newspaper articles.