Narrandera’s first and only Miss Australia Shirley Margaret Bliss Ryan was born Shirley Margaret Bliss in the town of Narrandera.

A seamstress, she made all the local girls’ frocks - including for fellow Narrandera beauty and NSW Governor Dame Marie Bashir.

She married city publican Bill Ryan in 1961 - he was from a leading north shore Sydney hotel family - The Steyne, Manly; Mona Vale Hotel; Newport Arms etc.

Their son Bill was born in 1962, followed by another son Matthew and finally a daughter Katherine.

The couple’s first pub was the Family Hotel, Rydalmere; then the Britannia Hotel, Chippendale; Bat & Ball, Moore Park; North Star in the city; before being 20-plus years at the Tea Gardens Hotel, Bondi Junction.

They retired from hotels up to the Hunter Valley in the early 90s, starting a vineyard and making great wine under the Broke Estate moniker.

Bill Ryan passed away in late 2000 and Bliss as she is now known turned 90 recently.

They had three children and seven grandchildren but only one great granddaughter Camilla, who lives in Bowral.

Their son William Ryan is Australia’s first fifth-generation publican.

Blaring-bands and hundreds of cheering people welcomed Shirley Bliss ("Miss Australia") when she returned to her home town Narrandera at the Narrandera Airport.

Her parents, Mr and Mrs Harold Bliss, hugged and kissed Shirley when she stepped from the plane on her homecoming.

She was driven into town and transferred to a brightly decorated Land Rover, in which she joined a procession headed by two motorcycle police and members of local sports clubs.

The procession passed along the main street, festooned with streamers and flags, to the council chambers, where more than 3,500 people assembled. It was one of the most spontaneous demonstrations in Narrandera's history.

Shirley Bliss continued with her support of the Spastic Centre ever since she was crowned the winner of the quest in April 1954.

"I would never have entered a straight bathing-suit beauty contest," she said.

"But the year I entered, the Spastic Centre took over from the RSL and each contestant was required to raise at least 50 pounds for the centre. We had a purpose."

Before the 1954 quest, 19-year-old Shirley was a dressmaker in Narrandera.

She remembers with modesty the moment when she was crowned Miss Australia as one of complete surprise because she honestly felt herself to be the least likely to win. But most of all she remembers it as the beginning of an association with the quest that endured.

In 1980 she sponsored Annette Burden, who won the Miss NSW title, raising with her and for her more than $30,000.

A Spastic Centre spokesperson said Bliss epitomized the whole concept of the Miss Australia Quest, which is based on charming and intelligent young women giving their time to help those less privileged than themselves.

"Bliss has been constant in her support," she says. "Because Bliss entered the Miss Australia contest and won in 1954, many children are able to walk who would otherwise have been confined to a wheelchair for life."

After her year in the spotlight and her name in the headlines, Bliss worked for the quest for seven years until, at 26, she married hotelier Bill Ryan and the couple had William, Matthew and Kate.