Major Marchers

In the late '70s and early '80s the Moller Majorettes marching team were a force to be reckoned with. As evidenced by the impressive haul of trophies, shields and medals displayed in this 1981 Charters and Guthrie photograph the team won countless local and regional competitions. In 1981 the Majorettes won the New Zealand Marching Championships and represented New Zealand at the inter-dominion marching competition in Australia. This candid photograph of the girls having a bit of fun with the spoils of their efforts provides a lively insight into the team’s fun-loving spirit. The relaxed poses and cheeky gestures with the trophies hint at the close bonds between team-mates, no doubt a key factor in the Majorette’s success. The relaxed, animated nature of the photograph contrasts with the more formal straight-backed and stiff looking marching portraits we are used to. Taranaki is renowned for having produced a number of highly successful marching teams over the years. This photograph was donated to our pictorial collection by the team’s chaperone, Lorraine Rau (pictured in red at the back) and adds some excellent context and depth to Puke Ariki’s rich collection of marching uniforms and paraphernalia, which includes some items from the Moller Majorettes themselves.