1/51Miss Tunarama Festival beauty quest winner for 1997 Naomi Blacker.
50+ pictures: A look back at Port Lincoln’s Tunarama Festival
The Tunarama Festival is set to wrap up after 60 years – take a look back at the iconic Port Lincoln event’s history in pictures.
2/51Ann Fuss, the first Miss Tunarama winner of the Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival Queen beauty contest with SA politician Premier Sir Thomas Playford in 1962.
3/51Keg rolling competition at the Tunarama.
4/51Eugene Bria competing in the tuna tossing competition during the Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln.
5/51Man competing in the tuna toss event during the Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln in 1988.
6/51Norm Marks of Port Lincoln after winning the Tunarama Festival tuna tossing championship in 1992. Picture: Trina Tepper
7/51Tunarama Festival treasurer Kim Horsnell (left) and Mick Bascombe threading a tuna for tossing in 1981. Picture: Staff photographer
8/51Tunarama parade in Port Lincoln in 1975.
9/51Norman Marks, aged 27, of Port Lincoln, competing in the tuna tossing championship during the Tunarama Festival. Picture: Brenton Edwards
10/51Tug of war competition at the Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln in 1989.
11/51Miss SAFCOL Helen McLachlan during the Tunarama Festival procession in Port Lincoln in 1968.
12/51West End keg rolling competition winners David Sampson, Mick Proude, Bill Bryson and Ian Proude at the Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln in 1991. Picture: Brenton Edwards
13/51Miss Pier Hotel Roma Hodgins aboard a float during the Tunarama Festival parade in Port Lincoln in 1963.
14/51Miss Tunarama Latisha Sleep in 1994.
15/51Bill Bryson competing in the tuna toss during the Tunarama Festival in 1994. Picture: Ivon Perrin
16/51Humbolt the clown with (from left) Niall Curkpatrick, Lisa Maksimovis and Paul Engelhardt before the Tunarama Festival in 1990.
17/51Eugene Bria tossing tuna during Tunarama Festival in 1988.
18/51Port Lincoln band leading the grand procession along Tasman Terrace to open the first Tunarama Festival in 1962.
19/51Tunarama Festival Queen Emma Smith.
20/51Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival slippery pole competition competitor Terry Wade.
21/51Aboriginal singer Mandawuy Yunupingu and children at a Port Lincoln music workshop during the Tunarama Festival.
22/51Eugene Bria tossing tuna to win the Tunarama Tuna Toss.
23/51Port Lincoln Mayor Peter Davis with Aboriginal singer Mandawuy Yunupingu during the Tunarama Festival.
24/51Aboriginal singer Mandawuy Yunupingu and children at Port Lincoln music workshop during the Tunarama Festival.
25/51Tuna tossing competition at Port Lincoln’s Tunarama.
26/51Children enjoying the food at Tunarama Festival in 1981. Picture: Staff photographer
27/51Natasha Knight of Port Lincoln gives a handshake to Sylvester, one of the cats at the Tunarama waiting for a feed in 1981. Picture: Staff photographer
28/51Miss Tunarama Ann Fuss atop castle float travelling down main street of Port Lincoln during gala street procession of the 1962 Tunarama Festival. Ann Fuss entered the first Tunarama Quest in 1962 as ‘Miss Cummins Rural Youth’. There were 28 entrants and Ann, aged just 17, was crowned the first Miss Tunarama. Picture: Staff photographer
29/51Large crowds at the shoreline during Tunarama Festival in 1964. Picture: Staff photographer
30/51One and All crew members aboard the sailing ship at the Tunarama Festival in 1989 (from left) Mary Whelan, Shane Walter, Lorrae Burke, Stephanie Calderwood and Eric Ericsson. Picture: Staff photographer
31/51Women from the Port Lincoln Nurses Social Club in costume on a Tunarama float. Picture: Staff photographer
32/51Leanne Crowther and Francine Wordie on a surfboat from Port Lincoln Surf Lifesaving Club in 1978. Picture: Staff photographer
33/51Japanese TV presenter Mr Nakayama competing in the tuna tossing contest during the Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln in 1992. Picture: Trina Tepper
34/51A woman competing in the tuna tossing championship during the Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln.
35/51Children make a dash for money in The News unwrapping contest during the Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln. Picture: Port Lincoln Times
36/51Dame Zara Holt opening the Tunarama Festival from the balcony of the Civic Hall in Port Lincoln in 1969.
37/51Parade during the Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln.
38/51David Sampson of Port Lincoln helping his team the Chewbackers win the West End keg-rolling competition for the third consecutive year by pushing the keg over the finish line. Picture: Port Lincoln Times)
39/51Amanda James, 6, and brother Andrew, 4, of Port Lincoln dressed as gypsies at the Tunarama pageant in 1978. Picture: Staff photographer
40/51Susan Harvey, 4, and sister Kim, 7, dressed as fairies on float in the Tunarama procession. Picture: Staff photographer
41/51End of an era for the iconic Tunarama Festival after the Port Lincoln Tunarama Incorporated Committee announced on July 11. 2023, that after 60 years, the event will not be held in 2024 and that the Committee itself is winding up. Picture: Take 2 Photography
42/51Hammer thrower Darren Billett competing in men's tuna tossing throwing competition with Mark Mitchell aka Con the Fruiterer during Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival in 2001.
43/51Jesse Poel, aged 2.5 years, took a ride in a make believe fire truck in side show alley at the 50th Tunarama Festival.
44/51The crowd at the 2013 Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln.
45/51Hammer thrower Darren Billett competing in men's tuna tossing throwing competition in Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival in 2001.
46/51Tim Driesen competing in the 2013 Tuna Toss at the Tunarama Festival in Port Lincoln. Driesen was victorious in the male category. The women's winner was Emily Nolan.
47/51Tunarama Festival at Port Lincoln in 2002.
48/51Sandy Parker with Tunarama festival event co-ordinator Debbie Lee holding tuna fish at Port Lincoln in 2001.
49/51Taking advantage of their spot at the 50th Tunarama Festival were Tulleah Bell and Kyra Bryant.
50/51Norm Marks tossing tuna during Port Lincoln Tunarama.
51/51Hammer thrower Brooke Kreuger competing in women's tuna tossing throwing competition in Port Lincoln Tunarama Festival in 2001.