When The Fiji Times featured Miss Hibiscus titleholder Lois Gibson in August 1966, she was portrayed as a calm and graceful beauty with a penchant for ballroom dancing over modern styles. Described by her flat mate Maureen McKenzie as “never moody and always easy to get along with,” the 24-year-old comptometer operator carried a serene demeanor that belied the excitement of her recent royal selection.
In the aftermath of being crowned queen, Lois reflected on the experience in a radio announcement that revealed her awed disbelief. “I kept going as though in a daze. It was hours before the impact of the announcement began to dawn on me and even then, I couldn’t believe it was true. I can’t really believe it yet,” she shared. Friends laughed as they recounted her dazed repetition of, “That trip is mine, all mine,” in the early hours following the jubilation of the announcement.
The celebration continued late into the night at the Royal Suva Yacht Club, wrapping up around 4 a.m. Exhausted from the excitement, Lois slept until early Sunday afternoon, only waking to the delighted calls of well-wishers, including her friends Maureen and Karen Hedstrom.
The trio maintained a harmonious household, sharing chores without any set rules about who would do what. Maureen and Karen attested to Lois’s cooking skills and their collective fondness for quiet evenings filled with reading over more raucous parties. Though they enjoyed entertaining, they opted for simpler, more peaceful moments together.
With her new title came a wealth of prizes that Lois planned to use for an overseas holiday before the year ended. “I have everything I wanted,” she said with joy, highlighting the gifts received from various businesses. Among her favorites was a radiogram, a long-desired item that represented simple yet cherished happiness. “I can’t believe they are now mine. I’m thrilled with everything, but particularly so with the radiogram,” she exclaimed.
Lois’s story captures the excitement and exhilaration of achievement while also reflecting her grounded personality. In a world that often rushes toward discord, her journey exemplifies the joy that can come from both personal success and the warmth of friendship.