Perfectly happy to have fun

Retired fencing contractor Evelyn (Shorty) Gray (65), of Lake Hawea, is lining up for her ninth attempt at securing the title of "Perfect Woman", at Luggate over the weekend.

Ms Gray, who points out another contestant two years older than her — Rosemary Halse, from Whangarei, who is also a retired fencing contractor — has made the finals previously but never quite managed a win.

She admits she has only entered again this year for fun.

The competition, founded in 2002 by Stew Burt, of the Canlive Charitable Trust, (also pictured) has 21 entrants this year, with an average age of 32.

They face two days of challenges including gumboot throwing, car racing, backing trailers, jet-boat driving, hairdressing and an array of events yet to be revealed.

PHOTO & REPORT: MARK PRICE