The 1968 Pageant Queen, Lynn Denison, pictured wearing her crown, robe and sash and holding the sceptre.

Lynn was crowned during a ceremony at John Martin's Arndale store.

The concept of a Pageant Queen originated in 1940, when John Martin's elected a 'Store Queen' to assist staff with fundraising activities for the war effort. After the war, with the recommencement of the annual Christmas pageant, the concept remained, but the title and responsibilities were altered.

The Queen was elected by staff of John Martin's and crowned during an in-store ceremony. Her role was to be the public face of the pageant and, more importantly, to welcome Father Christmas to the 'Magic Cave' as part of the pageant finale.

With the pageant's change of ownership, the Queen is now selected from staff of one of the sponsoring credit unions. Each of the six credit unions is represented by a Pageant Princess and the Queen is selected from this group by a panel of judges. With a number of official appearances and media interviews, the Pageant Queen must be able to enthusiastically represent the pageant and its sponsors in the lead-up to the event, and throughout the following year.

The 2007 Pageant Queen is Laura Williams who works as a financial planner with the Savings and Loans Credit Union.

John Martin & Co.

'60th John Martin's State Bank Christmas pageant 1933-1993', Sunday Mail, 31 October 1993, 24 p. supp.

Adelaide's once-a-year day, Adelaide: Commercial Printing House, 1978.

'Street pageant delights crowd', Advertiser, 20 November 1933, p. 16.

A touch of magic [videorecording] : [the story behind the Christmas Pageant], West Lakes?, S. Aust. : Cine News Productions, 1993.

Credit Union Christmas pageant

John Martin's first pageant: 1933 [State Library of South Australia]