Cooly Rocks on Pin-Up Pageant applications
Vintage vibes, not vintage values.
MORE DETAILS TO COME FOR 2025 PIN-UP PAGEANT APPLICATIONS.
The Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant is a blend of the ‘Classic’ and ‘Rockabilly’ pageants you’ve come to know and love! Open and welcoming to Pin-ups from all walks of life, regardless of style, gender, belief or sexual orientation, it’s a much loved event of the festival each year and free to spectate.
The Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant is an opportunity for a diverse group of Pin-ups to showcase the differing lifestyles, cultures, fashions, hair and make-up of eras gone by, with a focus on the 1940s through to the 1970s.
Held across three rounds including ‘Day Wear’, ‘Uniqueness of You’, and ‘Evening Wear’, each round will allow the finalist to showcase their personalities and unique understandings of the lifestyles of yesteryear.
In 2024, the traditional Winner and Runner-Up titles will be replaced with two winner categories – the ‘Cooly Rocks On Classic Pin-up’ and the ‘Cooly Rocks On Rockabilly Pin-up’, followed by the ‘Most Entertaining’ award. Together, the two winners will shine a light on both the ‘Classic’ and ‘Rockabilly’ styles that have come to define Cooly Rocks On!
Applications for the 2025 Pin-up Pageant will open in the coming months, we look forward to seeing you apply!
There will be three titles awarded in the 2024 Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant. Prizes for each title are listed below.
Cooly Rocks On Classic Pin-up
- $750 cash prize
- Cooly Rocks On 2025 Advocate – Opportunity to participate in event media and PR opportunities for Cooly Rocks On 2025
- Presenter of the 2024 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition Winner
- One of the Judges of the 2025 Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant
- Sash, floral arrangement & crown
Cooly Rocks On Rockabilly Pin-up
- $750 cash prize
- Cooly Rocks On 2025 Advocate – Opportunity to participate in event media and PR opportunities for Cooly Rocks On 2025
- Presenter of the 2024 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition Winner
- One of the Judges of the 2025 Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant
- Sash, floral arrangement & crown
Most Entertaining
- $200 cash prize
- Sash & floral arrangement
2024 winners
COOLY ROCKS ON PIN-UP PAGEANT Winner – classic
Miss Mon Mon
COOLY ROCKS ON PIN-UP PAGEANT winner – rockabilly
Reckless Penny
COOLY ROCKS ON PIN-UP PAGEANT MOST ENTERTAINING
Miss Aphrodite Darling
AMBASSADORS
BETTIE BUTCHER
Bettie Butcher, from Pinups of Australia (PoA), boasts over fifteen years in the pinup community, earning recognition as one of Australia’s most well known pinup icons.
Bettie is the charity liaison for PoA, a family who promote inclusivity, safety and support, with the core value that Pin-up should be accessible to everyone. Don’t be fooled by Bettie’s polished style, she’s down to earth and prides herself on progressive values with a lifelong dream to make every Pin-up feel welcome. She’s worked with prestigious events like QLD, WA and NSW Hot Rod shows, Greazefest and Cooly Rock On, spreading vintage vibes, but not vintage values.
Bettie shares her knowledge through the Bombshell Burlesque Academy, imparting her expertise as a Vintage Styling Tutor and dedicated workshops on building confidence, industry safety, social media and pageant tips. With boundless creativity and passion, Bettie Butcher continues to leave her mark on the Australian pinup community by upskilling and lifting up the next generation of pinups, while giving back to the community.
Photo credit: Phill Kellow
MISS CHRISSY
Miss Chrissy exudes uninhibited warmth, charisma and elegant charm. Having dedicated her life to exploring the rich histories of early 20th century style, Chrissy Keepence spends her days sharing timeless insights into the classic era that stole her heart.
Whether Miss Chrissy is emceeing events, hosting one-of-a-kind vintage styling workshops, educating children about etiquette and self-worth, readying brides for their big day or working as a consultant on period productions – she executes each new endeavour with an honest respect for her vintage influences.
Miss Chrissy has since grown a loyal following of empowered women who resonate with Chrissy’s vibrancy, carefree nature and effortless charm.
No stranger to the Pin Up Scene, Miss Chrissy has been mentoring and hosting/emceeing Pin Up Pageants, Parades & Workshops here and overseas for the past 20 odd years and is well respected in the scene. A integral part of the Cooly Rocks On Pageants for the past 3 years, Chrissy will once again bring her professionalism, care and experience to the 2022 Cooly Rocks On Pageants.
“Miss Chrissy and her glamorous team have a deep knowledge of vintage style and history.” Tara Moss, Model, Presenter, Author.
FAQs
The Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant is a blend of the ‘Classic’ and ‘Rockabilly’ Pageants that you have come to know and love at Cooly Rocks On over the years. The Pageant is an opportunity for a diverse group of Pin-ups to showcase the differing lifestyles, fashions, hair and make-up of years gone by, with a focus on the 1940s through to the 1970s.
Anyone! The Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant is all inclusive and we look forward to welcoming and showcasing Pin-ups from all walks of life regardless of style, gender, belief or sexual orientation.
Yes, we accept entries from all around Australia and even internationally.
We welcome Pin-ups from all walks of life to apply!
The Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant venue entrance will include a ramp to cater to accessibility needs. However, due to stage infrastructure, accessibility onto the stage is restricted. Cooly Rocks On will provide a designated performance area in front of the stage to cater for finalists with accessibility needs.
Yes of course! As long as you are not a winner from the previous year, you are more than welcome to apply again!
No, applications are open to everyone and there are no fees associated with applying.
Cooly Rocks On is governed by the City of Gold Coast Local Laws and Queensland Government Building Regulations, and as a result there are some restrictions in place that may impact your choice of talent/performance. Use of naked flames, use of dangerous weapons including firearms, bow and arrow and sharp blades and the use of live animals are prohibited. If you would like to discuss your talent prior to applying, please email [email protected].
There will be three titles awarded in the 2024 Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant. Prizes for each title are listed below.
Cooly Rocks On Classic Pin-up
- $750 cash prize
- Cooly Rocks On 2025 Advocate – Opportunity to participate in event media and PR opportunities for Cooly Rocks On 2025
- Presenter of the 2024 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition Winner
- One of the Judges of the 2025 Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant
- Sash, floral arrangement & crown
Cooly Rocks On Rockabilly Pin-up
- $750 cash prize
- Cooly Rocks On 2025 Advocate – Opportunity to participate in event media and PR opportunities for Cooly Rocks On 2025
- Presenter of the 2024 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Competition Winner
- One of the Judges of the 2025 Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant
- Sash, floral arrangement & crown
Most Entertaining
- $200 cash prize
- Sash & floral arrangement
In 2024, there were three rounds within the Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant.
- Round 1 Day Wear – Dazzle the audience and judges with your best day wear and show how you have a ball during the day!
- Round 2 Uniqueness of You – Shine the spotlight on your talents and personality! What sets you apart from the other Pin-ups?
- Round 3 Evening Wear – It’s time for a night out on the town! How are you dressing for the evening?
Yes, we do require all Pin-ups to be aged 18 years or above.
Pageant finalists will be required to attend Cooly Rocks On 2025, from 4-8 June.
In 2024, there were 12 finalists with an even split between Classic and Rockabilly representing each category competing for the titles of the 2024 Cooly Rocks On Classic Pin-up, 2024 Cooly Rocks On Rockabilly Pin-up and Most Entertaining.
Finalists are selected based on a series of selection criteria including:
- How connected the applicant is to the Cooly Rocks On pillars of motors, music and lifestyle.
- How well the applicant expresses their knowledge of the pin-up culture and history.
- How well the applicant presents themselves (hair, makeup, attire and poise).
- How well the applicant expresses and represents the modern-day values in which the Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant promotes.
Space is limited in the back of house/dressing room area, therefore finalists wishing to bring a person/team to assist in preparation will need to seek prior approval from the Cooly Rocks On team at [email protected].
Pageant Ambassadors have been engaged to ensure all applicants and finalists have an authentic, fun and supportive Pageant experience. The 2024 Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant Ambassadors were Bettie Butcher and Miss Chrissy, both experienced Pin-ups, these ladies will be there to support you every step of the way!
If you are interested in getting involved in the Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant, there are many roles that we are looking to fill annually and are listed below:
- Pageant Emcee
- Pageant Kittens (backstage support)
- Pageant Judges
Please email [email protected] with your expression of interest detailing what role you believe you are most suited for.
Entry to watch the Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant is free, seats will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
If you wish to provide prizes for our winners, please provide all relevant details to [email protected]. Please note that we have multiple sponsors and event partners that have rights and benefits across the festival, and for this reason we are unable to acknowledge your contribution during the Cooly Rocks On Pin-up Pageant.
After applications close, our team will begin reviewing all submissions and reach out to applicants in the following weeks.
