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The 'Lake Ellesmere Monster'
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Description
TitleThe 'Lake Ellesmere Monster'
DescriptionA magnificent eel costume named the 'Lake Ellesmere Monster' worn by several members of either the Ellesmere or the Waihora Country Girls club.
Country Girls clubs for women between the ages of 14 and 30 ran throughout New Zealand from the 1930s to the 1970s.
Aside from annual conferences, the Federation of Country Girls arranged national debating contests, field days, educational courses and industrial visits designed to promote fellowship and expand the horizons of young rural women. They were a mixture of training for practical country life and lively social events. Community fundraising was also a feature of club activity. From the mid-1960s, international exchanges were also offered to members of Country Girls.
Country Girls clubs were the female equivalent of Young Farmers Clubs, which later accepted women as members. As they got older, members of Young Farmers could join the Federated Farmers, while Country Girls moved up to the Women's Division of Federation Farmers (now known as Rural Women).Datec1950s-1960sSourceEllesmere Historical Society: EHS 5262, EHS 5261, EHS 5260
DescriptionA magnificent eel costume named the 'Lake Ellesmere Monster' worn by several members of either the Ellesmere or the Waihora Country Girls club.Country Girls clubs for women between the ages of 14 and 30 ran throughout New Zealand from the 1930s to the 1970s.
Aside from annual conferences, the Federation of Country Girls arranged national debating contests, field days, educational courses and industrial visits designed to promote fellowship and expand the horizons of young rural women. They were a mixture of training for practical country life and lively social events. Community fundraising was also a feature of club activity. From the mid-1960s, international exchanges were also offered to members of Country Girls.
Country Girls clubs were the female equivalent of Young Farmers Clubs, which later accepted women as members. As they got older, members of Young Farmers could join the Federated Farmers, while Country Girls moved up to the Women's Division of Federation Farmers (now known as Rural Women).
Datec1950s-1960sSourceEllesmere Historical Society: EHS 5262, EHS 5261, EHS 5260Connections
CollectionThe Creation of Tuna
Attribution
Researched BySarah DavyWritten BySarah davy
Written BySarah davy
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The 'Lake Ellesmere Monster' (c1950s-1960s). Selwyn Stories, accessed 24/08/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/6315