Almost 20 years ago she was the lithe, curvaceous model creating a stir wherever the Banks Calendar was displayed.
As Banks Calendar Girl 1995, Cynthia Dawson quickly became the face and shape of the popular local beer, and shopkeepers, sports bars and people who just admired the attractive model clamoured for a copy of the calendar.
Today the mature woman Dawson is still recognized as The Banks Calendar “girl” though she can no longer squeeze into the swimsuit she wore then and merely holds on to it for posterity.
“I have always been skinny with hips, now I am just a bit plumper with hips. But I am not 20 anymore,” Dawson told EASY magazine.
She was age 22 and a model when she was approached to grace the cover of the Banks Calendar.
“It was just a matter of calling me, a model, to do a photo for the calendar.”
So overwhelming was the response of Banks patrons to the photo of the curvaceous model when the calendar hit the road, Banks had to do a reprint to meet the demand.
The next year she was again requested to do the photo shoot, this time for an official Banks Girl Calendar, but she said “I did not agree to some of the terms that were put out, hence they started a competition because I turned down doing it a second year.”
What did she dislike about the terms?
With some hesitation, she responded “Well there were just a few details that, knowing how I am as a person and what I consider to be . . . (here she paused before continuing) . . . “I did not like being in certain areas because even though I was out there as a model doing photo shoots and that type of thing, I still am very reserved.
“I am a private person; I am not outlandish or like to be in the spotlight. That was just for the photo.”
“You would see me walk with my head down because I am still a little bit shy. So to be exposed to the situations that you would be put in was not something that I was 100 per cent comfortable with, so maybe it was best to let somebody maybe a bit braver take that on.”
Looking back on the experience, however, she said there were “no negatives” to being the first Banks Calendar Girl.
“I can’t think of one” says Cynthia.
“Even though it has been such a long time ago, any comments that I get from anyone, male or female, have always been positive and complimentary. Nothing derogative.”
For the young model, there was “nothing astounding or mind-blowing” about the experience and it certainly did not change her life.
“Being on the model scene and doing international shows and photo shoots, magazines, catalogues, I was already out there, known, so this did add a little extra in terms of the [fame] of being known as the Banks Girl which I still get today.”
But it made no difference to her profile as a passenger service agent with American Airlines’ where she still works as a reservations and ticketing agent.
“I would have done a few stints with Banks beer when the Australian cricket team was here.” Apart from the requirement to represent Banks beer with a recognizable face, and a profile that projected the company through the image of “a wholesome, sexy individual” that there were no other heavy responsibilities “like those thrust upon today’s Banks Calendar Girl.”
And she has lots of advice for aspirants to the title.
“My advice to any young girl who is aspiring to be a Banks Girl or anything in that area is first and foremost respecting you. That carries you through life like you would not know.
“Try not to live in the moment and be outlandish where you may regret something a few years down the line.
“Self-respect is the utmost importance. Be kind and considerate to people around you, have good manners, try to learn how to speak well, to articulate; try to find any type of self-development course, whether it be for your physical or personal development.
“Just try to keep everything in balance and try to keep negativity out.”
For the tall, elegant, youthful-looking Cynthia, the reign was “a good stint,” She manages to maintain a slim figure through a fitness regimen that sees her in the gym between three and five days a week and through a healthy diet “most of the time.”
She now has “more womanly curves now with hips that are a little bit more pronounced”.
With a new Banks Calendar Girl to be selected next week, Dawson said; “With all this buzz every year – and it seems to be increasing now more than ever – I am a little flattered that my name is still a mention because I think the girls that have come since then are still a little bit more risqué than I was.”
