Young Miss New Zealand 'MY YEARS WITH THE ROYALS'

Kevin Milne uncovers his mystery woman at the palace

In my September 19 Weekly column, I asked readers to help me find a woman I'd been wondering about for decades. I knew her as Georgiana Moore. Way back in 1963, when I was 14, she won along with my older brother Brian, the Phillips Young Mr & Miss New Zealand Contest. This wasn't a beauty contest. It was an attempt to find the two most talented young people in the country.

Nine hundred hopefuls took part. Their academic and sports records were scrutinised. Their personality and ability to speak before a crowd was tested in regional finals all over New Zealand.

The two winners' prizes were extraordinary: a flight around the world, an all-expenses-paid year at a US or Swiss University, a wardrobe of fashionable clothing, and an executive employment contract with Phillips, the chief sponsors. The prizes were so extravagant, it's no surprise the contest was never repeated. But the only ever Young Mr and Miss New Zealand were announced as Georgiana Moore of Wellington and Brian Milne of Christchurch.

Tragically, my brother Brian was killed in a car crash in Kansas City, Missouri, while on his prize trip studying in America. He was only 23. Absolutely heartbreaking. What might have become of all his talent? Then, more recently, the same question's been crossing my mind about Young Miss New Zealand, Georgiana. It was 59 years since she won. Yet I'd heard nothing of her and couldn't find anything online. Had she gone onto greater things? Or had she left the limelight? So, in my column, I asked your help to find her.

Not long after that column hit the shops, an email arrived from Scotland. "Dear Kevin. An old school friend emailed me your article in last week's New Zealand Woman's Weekly and I have to confess, I was utterly astounded."

Yes, it was from Georgiana Moore, now Georgiana Osborne, though she prefers Georgie. Extraordinary!