The founding organisers of the Alexandra Blossom Festival Senior Queen competition are stepping aside, with universal thanks given to their service to the iconic event. 

Founding organiser Liz Pratt, along with Billie Tohill and Suzette Battrick have proved themselves to be true Queens, championing the Contact Alexandra Blossom Festival Senior Queen competition for 25 years.

Liz Pratt founded the competition with her late sister-in-law Pam Love in 1996 to recognise the contribution many older women made to the wider community and since then it has become a core part of the Alexandra Blossom Festival.

Liz has been a driving force behind the Senior Queen, covering all aspects of the competition from liaising with clubs to gather entries, organising judges and through to the grand finale event each year - The Occasion - where the Senior Queen is crowned.

With all the extra time Liz will now have she is looking forward to being able to play tennis - a passion she didn’t have time for during the months of organising each year.

Billie Tohill has been instrumental in arranging the entertainment for The Occasion. 

From musical numbers, choirs, dance items and more, Billie has provided a variety of items, showcasing the incredible talent our district has to offer, from children through to the RSA Gentlemen singers.

(From Left) Suze, Billie Tohill, Blossom Festival committee member Rachel Vellacott, event manager Martin McPherson and Liz Pratt at high tea on Wednesday. 

Billie says she has special memories of the children performing as part of the entertainment each year.

Suzette Battrick’s association with the Senior Queen began with the local Lions Club before becoming involved in behind the scenes organising.

She says her favourite memories were of being with the ladies who have contributed so much to the community, and the joy they experienced being part of the Senior Queen.

Alexandra Blossom Festival event manager Martin McPerson says for 25 years the three ladies had been showcasing the deeds of others and it was time for them to be celebrated.

“For 25 years the ladies have celebrated the unsung heroes in our community, but they are the true Queens.  Their passion and commitment to the Senior Queen has been outstanding and we are so thankful,” he says.

In a gesture of thanks, the ladies were celebrated at a special high tea at the Courthouse Cafe in Alexandra, each receiving a special gift from the festival committee.

The Alexandra Blossom Festival committee is now seeking expressions of interest from people wanting to be involved in the organisation of the Senior Queen Competition.

Interested parties can contact festival event manager Martin McPherson at [email protected]

Photos: Shannon Thomson.