The competition is a popular feature of the annual Driscoll, McIlree and Dickinson ladies day and this year’s event did not disappoint.

Organiser Joan MacPherson said it was wonderful to have Australia’s fastest woman over 100 metres, Melissa Breen, join the judging panel.

Breen – who was crowned Lady of the Day in 2012 – said she loved the opportunity to cast her eye over the competition.

“When I decided to run in the men’s gift this year I knew it would be hard to go in fashions, because I wouldn’t have time to get ready,” she said.

“This was a great way to still be involved.

“We had 54 entrants this year, which was a little down on last year’s number, but they really did impress.”

Geelong’s Alexandra Guy was named lady of the day, taking home $1000 from Driscoll, McIlree and Dickinson and the Billie Jo Petersen memorial sash.

Runner-up Kate Palmer and third place-getter Laura-Jane Hilditch both took home Simone Perele lingerie vouchers, as did Stawell’s Stephanie Giles, who won hat of the day.

Breen said she and her fellow judges – Ballarat milliner Cecily David and Simone Perele manager Monique Crawford – were pleased with the quality of this year’s entrants.

“We were all on the same page,” she said.

“The top three were exceptional – they got the length right, they were colour co-ordinated and they dressed for the weather.”

Breen was pleased to see more entrants ticking the fashions on the field criteria.

“The length of the dresses this year was much better on the whole,” she said.  “We were looking for glamour and elegance.

“It’s the little things that count.”

The competition was preceded by a fashion parade showcasing the autumn collections of Stawell traders.

Mrs MacPherson said the parade went well.

“It was a great day all round,” she said. 

“The animal nursery and face-painting were very popular with the children.

“I think across the board crowd numbers were up this year.

“We’re very, very happy with how everything went over the three days of the Stawell Gift carnival.”