Gawlers Ugliest Man Competition (1940)

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Type of thing	event
Date made or found	{{#set:Date approximate=No}}1940

RED CROSS 'UGLY MAN' COMPETITION NEAR CLOSE

Wally. Paternoster leading to date.

Keen interest is being shown in the 'Ugly Man' competition, which will close on Friday evening, 20th. December. There will be a crowning ceremony when the successful candidate has been elected. Competitive games , sale of sweets, icecream and cool drinks will help to swell the funds of the respective candidates. Mr. Graue's allotment adjoining his shop in Murray St. has been chosen for the final night's effort and it is hoped that all Circle members and their friends will assemble to give ail possible assistance, 'towards bringing the competition to a successful conclusion Scores to date are as follows: Mr. W. Paternoster 5674, Mr. P, Beadnall 4899, Mr. C. J. Wilksch 4847, Mr. A. J. Higgins 2800, Mr. W. Antwis 2708, Mr. E. J. Foord 2323, Mr. E. Allwood 1725, Dr. J. Covernton 1333

Bunyip Friday 27 December 1940, page 1

GAWLER'S UGLIEST MAN.

Mr. P. W. C Beadnall imputed and Proclaimed.

PROCLAMATION

Your attention, loyal citizens of the great metropolis of Gawler, within which are incorporated the mighty cities of Willaston, Sandy Creek and The Belt. We are gathered together for the all-important purpose of crowning a being, who by virtue of an unfortunate accident associated with his birth, lays claim to be our ugliest man. may You search carefully the Annals of this historic town, this other Athens, and you will find no greater day recorded than the' one we are celebrating.

Gawler on Friday evening rose to great culminating heights in the finalisation of the contest for the Town's ugliest man competition, set afloat by the Red Cross in the endeavour to raise money for the furtherance of its war work. When first originated, the scheme was thought a means of raising a few pounds, and the various circles were asked to nominate candidates and to work in their behalf. Good publicity aroused public interest, and it was a splendid brain-wave which originated the proposal that the vacant allotment in Murray Street, adjoining Mr. T. Graue's shop, should be used for the crowning the evening first to be advocacy for the respective candidates and- afterwards a ceremonial crowning.

Willing workers erected staging and coloured, lights, the cost being borne by Mr T Graue. A night scene grew to furore, fully a thousand people must have packed themselves into the allotment, and supported readily the canvassers ugly men. Bright music and community singing brought about a happy atmosphere, Miss May Francis being dexterous and versatile on her piano accordeon, and Mr. Jack Parham sung over an amplifier, encouraging the public, who freely joined in. Mr. Cliff Eyers was at the piano. Two of the candidates had the audacity (?) to publicly proclaim their claims on the dubious honour, Dr. Covernton and Mr. A. J. Higgins, the humour of their campaign speeches adding merriment to the gathering.

Dr. Covernton said: May I say in appealing for your vote for my candidature for this eminent position in the citizenship of Gawler, that I think this election to be the dirtiest in my 50 years of the hustings. First, it has been spread that I have had my face lifted. This is a lie. Next, it has been said that I have been bathing regularly and using life-buoy. such conduct is contrary to all practice associated in the election of an ugly man. I consented to fight this election only on the understanding this would be a clean fight. What do I find? Mr. Paternoster has refused to wash for the past six weeks; and. Mr. Beadnall has refused the offer so kindly made by the Zipper Razor Co. for a free razor. Mr. Wilksch has been greasing his own car, thereby accumulating on his own face the grease which normally should have been on Mr. Allwood's. I cannot let go unchallenged the despicable action of Mr. Higgins, who at great expense to you taxpayers hired a waddy to reduce his own face to the hopeless mess you now see. I leave the decision of this titanic contest to the electors; You know who is the ugliest, so cast your votes accordingly, and put Covernton No. 1

Mr. Higgins' platform appeal was subtle. He invited closer inspection to view his face but warned the public that they did so at their own risk. He hinted that it was in the goldmining area of Barossa that birth took place, with no adequate sanitary conditions and the medical facilities very little better than you have in Gawler today”. Ted Lane’s was the magnet when the doctor should have been at the bedside, with due results to the child. The birth took place between half-past 8 and the telephone box. 'The Red Cross cant do anything for me so I am doing what I can for it. Therefore, support me and put Higgins up the pole.' Progressive voting was posted, and at 10.15 the poll closed. The banker counters sped through the money lodged and had the gratification that Gawler's ugly man bad produced £214/1/4 for the Red Cross— a result that was greeted with'- a shout that reached to the sky. Similar greeting followed the announcement, ' that Mr: P. W. C. Beadnall the Willaston Circle's nominee, had topped the poll. The following are the figures: No. 1 Circle Mr. Wm. Antwis 4,150 , Catholic Circle Mr. E. Allwood 3,342, Willaston Circle Mr P.W.C.Beadnall 11,221, Nurses' Circle Dr. Covernton 7,307, Tod' St. Circle Mr. E. J.Foord 3,684 , Ch. of England Circle Mr A.J.Higgins 3,907, Gawler South Circle Mr, W. Paternoster 10,028 and Lutheran Circle Mr. C. J. Wilksch, 7,737 The crowning was ceremonial. Heralded, there appeared on the platform august personage in white wig facially adorned with goatee and sidewhiskers, Court dress, knee breeches, black silk, stockings and buckled shoes — to wit, Dr. V. de P. Rice. In sonorous voice (over the' microphone) he announced … It is with great pleasure, albeit timidity, associated with a feeling of envy (considering my own personal qualifications to occupy the position) that I announce to you the winner of this closely-contested, nation-wide quest for that most wretched, miserable, and facially-afflicted individual, Gawler's Ugly Man. (Mr. Beadnall was here introduced)

[see Beadnall Percy William Cuthbert]

By virtue of the authority invested in me by the international' convention of Ugly Men held recently in the precincts of the Calton Road Ruins, and ' within the very shadow of one of Gawler's most illustrious sons, I hereby crown you the ugliest of Ugly Men. And may the Lord have mercy on your wife and children. The crowning was hilarious. Mr. Beadnall was draped with an ermine cloak, a much too small crown which kept continually toppling, and a golden sceptre placed in his hand. Garbed thus, he had to acknowledge his honor. Great tribute was paid to the work of his nominees, the Willaston Circle who worked not hard and determinedly, to brand him their ugliest, but that money might be raised for the Cause. Competitions were announced, Miss Nita Graue winning the Supper Cloth; Mrs. T. Greaves, hosiery; Horatio’ box of sweets; Mr. Allwood, pair of ducks; Mrs. Kemp, pig. The National Anthem and 'There'll always be an England' closed a wonderful effort. 'Mrs. Milne returned thanks for the generous public response.

National Library of Australia j j http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96704879 Bunyip (Gawler, SA : 1863 - 1954), Friday 27 December 1940, page 1 (5)

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