An incredible story is behind the recovery of this 1945 Graceful Girl Trophy which arrived in our office last week (Feb 2024). In 1943, the Ballarat Patriotic Eisteddfod planned to host the ‘Most Graceful Physical Culture’ section but were delayed due to the war. The section returned in 1945 under the Royal South Street Banner and the winner Yvonne Smith, took home this trophy as presented by Captains McNeill and Treleaven of the U. S. Marines. When Yvonne passed away after a long life, she gave her treasured trophy to her friend. After the friend passed, a neighbor noticed the tarnished trophy in a skip bin, and realising its significance, returned it to the Royal South Street Society! Our archives team were able to find this lovely photograph of Yvonne holding the trophy at the presentation. What a story!
Not only is Royal South Street Society still running Graceful Girl, but 2024 is the 100th Year Anniversary of this iconically Australian premier competition for Calisthenics.
Notes from our archives team
Bag 2623 – Most Graceful Physical Culture Girl – Yvonne Smith
1943 – Ballarat Patriotic Eisteddfod – Event MGPCG, Sat 16th October
Trophy put up by 2 US Marines – Captains McNeill and Treleaven of the Allied Forces
Section unable to run in 1943 due to travel restrictions during WWII
1945 – Event run as part of the South Street Competition – Winner – Yvonne Smith
Captains JD McNeil and L Treleavey, US Marine Corps.
Newspaper article refers to them as “majors”
Yvonne Smith lived until recently, on her own.
She passed away and left items to a neighbor who had looked after her.
When the neighbor passed away, her items were put into a skip with the trophy left out, on top.
Another neighbor collected it and offered it to the RSSS.
Gratefully received.
