February 13, 2019
Two sisters from Maidenwell walked away with Cooyar Show Society’s highest awards on Saturday.
Jasmine Kidman and her sister Taylah were crowned this year’s Miss Cooyar Showgirl and Miss Teen Showgirl at a glittering afternoon celebration held at Cooyar Memorial Hall.
Jasmine, who’s currently in the fourth year of an Education degree at USQ, told the judges a temporary work experience placement at Tanduringie State School a few years ago had turned her mind to a career in teaching.
And her younger sister Taylah, a keen netballer who plays for Highfields in Toowoomba, said she hoped to study physiotherapy after she graduated from Nanango State High School.
The pair was judged by South Burnett Rural Ambassador Nathan Trace and Graham and Anne Woodrow, and crowned in front of an audience of about 60 people at a high tea organised by Brianna Barron.
The event featured a lavish spread of sweet and savoury treats prepared by Brianna, her family and friends.
There was also a fashion parade from Smoke and Mirrors at Toowoomba, compered by Clique Modelling Agency.
Guests could also browse several stalls set up in the hall, or refresh themselves at a bar operated by Show Society members.
Youngsters weren’t forgotten, either, with a field of 13 entrants parading in front of the judges for the Junior Show Princess crown.
This was won by eight-year-old Charmaine Newby, from Cooyar.
The High Tea was a departure from tradition for the Show Society.
In 2017, the Show Society abandoned its traditional Show Ball and swapped to a cocktail party to reinvigorate the competition.
The new format proved so successful that this year it was held as a social event in its own right.
The showgirl judging then was shifted to a High Tea … and to judge by the large attendance on Saturday, this could become another regular fixture on Cooyar’s social calendar.
Miss Showgirl and Miss Teen Showgirl’s next duty will be to help officially open this year’s 70th annual Cooyar Show and Campdraft, which will be held on Saturday, February 23.
Gates will open at 6:00am for the first campdrafting events, and stud beef, led steer and young judges and paraders competitions will kick off at 8:00am.
Show Society officials were keen to stress that while several campdrafts in nearby areas have recently been postponed due to drought, Cooyar’s campdraft will be held as usual in the main ring.
Other highlights of this year’s show will include a Brangus feature, a ute muster, post-ripping and chainsaw racing, a Farmer’s Challenge, a smash-up derby, and an appearance by Nickleby The Magician.
In the evening, there’ll be bull riding and a fireworks display at 8:30pm, followed by entertainment late into the night.
Later this year, Jasmine will go on to represent Cooyar in the Darling Downs Sub-Chamber competition for a chance to represent the region at the Ekka.
Related articles:
- Glittering Night Ushers In Show (2018)
- Cooyar Celebrates With Cocktails (2017)
- It’s All Go For The Cooyar Show! (2016)
- Loretta Crowned Miss Showgirl (2015)
- Having A Ball At Cooyar (2014)
