Now in its 29th year the Senior Queen Competition celebrates the contribution of all women in the Central Otago district.
 

We invite the community to sponsor a friend, a family member, someone from a club or group - a woman 60+ years and older who you feel is that someone special who has made a contribution or made a difference and deserves recognition.

The 2023 Winning Senior Queens

 

Senior Queen winner Robyn Marshall (left) with runner up Anne Dougherty.

The 2024 Alexandra Blossom Festival Senior Queen has been crowned.

Five incredible women nominated by clubs and individuals were vying for the title of the Blossom Festival Senior Queen - but only one could reign supreme.

The women were introduced to the Senior Queen judges - Senior Queen founder Liz Pratt, Contact Energy representative Michelle Bastiaansen and Tall Poppy Real Estate Central Otago owner Peter Hishon -  at a special High Tea last week, leaving the judges with a very difficult decision.

Today the winner and runner up were announced at the Senior Queen Crowning - a special afternoon to celebrate the women.  
 
The crowning is the first official event to take place on the Alexandra Blossom Festival programme.

 Community members and supporters packed into the Alexandra District Club for the event which included a fashion show by Alexandra business Flying with Birds and modeled by members of the Clyde and Districts Lions Club, and afternoon tea.

 Clyde and Districts Lions Club nominee Robyn Marshall was crowned Senior Queen, with Anne Dougherty, representing Alexandra Petanque, named first runner up.

Robyn said being crowned the winner was “quite unbelievable really’’.

“There were so many fabulous people I was up against . . . and I couldn’t believe it.  But it is lovely,’’ she said.

“This is just absolutely amazing seeing all these people here [at the crowning], it’s just the community all coming together for Blossom Festival.’’

A new addition to the Crowning this year was the introduction of the People’s Choice, with people voting as they entered. That honour was taken out by Jo Ireland, nominated by Alexandra Senior Citizens.

Senior Queen People’s Choice winner was Jo Ireland of Alexandra Senior Citizens.

Alexandra Blossom Festival event manager Martin McPherson said the crowning of the Senior Queen was a “wonderful’’ way to start the festival’s 67th celebrations.

The Senior Queen has been a fixture in the Alexandra Blossom Festival since 1996, celebrating the wonderful senior women in our community and their contribution.

 

Why get involved:
We seek nominations of women who want to have some fun, be involved in Blossom Festival and relish the opportunity of being Queen for the Day. As someone who nominates your choice for Festival Senior Queen you too will have an opportunity to be part of the fun.

Requirements:

• A ready smile
• A willingness to participate and enjoy the occasion and generally be a “good sort”
• You, her nominator is invited to be her guest and companion to share in the fun and festivities.

Past Winners Reviews:

"It was a really happy uplifting experience for me”.  
- Esther McKay, Queen in 2017.

“I was proud to represent the Club which nominated me. I met wonderful ladies in the competition. It was a great programme which led me to meeting more interesting people”
- Maureen Bush. Queen in  2014.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the occasion and would encourage all women to take part”
- Jennifer Bowie. Queen in 2009.