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McLaughan's Cycle Shop and the Woman in Red.; Clarke, C.E Waimate New Zealand; 1...
FromWaimate Museum
Name/Title
McLaughan's Cycle Shop and the Woman in Red.
McLaughan's Cycle Shop and the Woman in Red.
About this object
The 'Girl in Red' is welcomed to Waimate outside McLaughlan's Cycle shop, circa 1936. The 'Girl in Red', Nita Rosslyn, was a trained singer and toured the world with her show - 'Variety on a bike'. Suspicion was aroused when she refused to remove her hat or be parted from her bicycle, and doubts surfaced as to whether she was a woman. 'Was she mapping the coastline or was she a spy?' Several ideas did the rounds in those worrying pre-World War II days. Our archives file contains more information about the 'Girl in Red'.
The 'Girl in Red' is welcomed to Waimate outside McLaughlan's Cycle shop, circa 1936. The 'Girl in Red', Nita Rosslyn, was a trained singer and toured the world with her show - 'Variety on a bike'. Suspicion was aroused when she refused to remove her hat or be parted from her bicycle, and doubts surfaced as to whether she was a woman. 'Was she mapping the coastline or was she a spy?' Several ideas did the rounds in those worrying pre-World War II days. Our archives file contains more information about the 'Girl in Red'.
Maker
Clarke, C.E Waimate New Zealand
Clarke, C.E Waimate New Zealand
Date Made
1936
1936
Place Made
New Zealand
Medium and Materials
photographic print
photographic print
Collection
Photograph Collection
Photograph Collection
Object Type
Photograph
Photograph
Object number
011-2002-1026-00874
011-2002-1026-00874
Tags
Copyright Licence 
All rights reserved+ Add Comment
http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=21336
Without any proof for my beliefs, I now believe that Mum probably met up with the 'Girl In Red' on the 'Stage'.
Michelle Lennard27 Jan 2012 12:03 PM,UTC
Nitas bike now has pride of place in Hervey Bay, Qld hanging in the Historical Museum. She retired in Hervey Bay.Sue Hanham12 Oct 2010 03:11 AM,UTC
For images of the Girl in Red (Nita Rosslyn) check out the Library of NSW http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=21336
Neville Peach03 Sep 2010 07:18 AM,UTC
Re my earlier comment - I now believe that the 'Girl in Red' may not have taken part in a bike ride with my Mum from Timaru to Christchurch. My Mum was into choral and variety type entertainment in those days and I believe she may have participated in a few shows in Christchurch.Without any proof for my beliefs, I now believe that Mum probably met up with the 'Girl In Red' on the 'Stage'.
Neville Peach01 Sep 2010 02:02 AM,UTC
I was 6 years old when the Girl In Red stayed with us for a couple of days as guest of my Mother, Annie E Peach. I believe they had cycled together in a Timaru-to-Christchurch event. We were living at 746 Ferry Road Woolston, Christchurch at the time. I recall her bright red cycling clothing (including a close-fitting hood). My brother and I were warned not to touch her bike, which she kept in her bed-room while she was with us! (I'm referring to her in my Life Story) Do you have a photograph of her by herself? I would love to get hold of a good image.