February 3, 2020
The South Burnett will be hosting its next round of agricultural shows in the next few months, and the search has begun for the young men and women who’ll become the public faces of our Shows in 2020.
To help this process along, two information sessions that explain what’s involved in becoming a Miss Showgirl or a Rural Ambassador will be held at Murgon and Kingaroy soon.
The sessions are being organised by 2019’s Miss Nanango Showgirl Claire-Marie Pepper, an agronomist who entered last year’s Miss Showgirl competition simply to show her support for this long-standing tradition.
Claire said she enjoyed the process so much she now wants to encourage other young men and women to have a go, too.
“Miss Showgirls and Rural Ambassadors are the public face of our agricultural shows,” Claire-Marie said.
“They can help shape the future direction of our agricultural shows, and there are many benefits for people who nominate, whether they’re selected or not.”
Claire said one misconception she hoped to explode was that Miss Showgirl was “a beauty contest”.
“Miss Showgirl certainly isn’t a beauty contest,” Claire said.
Instead, contest judges focus on intangible attributes like personality, the ability to speak in public, and confidence.
Claire-Marie said while Miss Showgirl is only open to unmarried women aged 18-24, the Rural Ambassador position is open to both sexes.
Locals who win the titles at the Goomeri, Nanango, Blackbutt, Murgon, Kingaroy, Proston or Wondai Shows will go on to compete in the South Burnett sub-chamber finals later in the year.
And from there, the winning Miss Showgirl and Rural Ambassador will go to the Ekka in August to represent the South Burnett.
Success there will see entrants go on to the national finals where they’ll represent Queensland – something that has happened a number of times over the past century.
Claire said she is planning two information sessions to help reduce travel time for intending nominees.
- The first information session (for Goomeri, Murgon, Wondai and Proston candidates) will be held at Nutrien Ag Solutions at 12 Macalister Street in Murgon on Friday, February 7 from 5:30pm to 6:45pm.
- The second session (for Blackbutt, Nanango and Kingaroy candidates) will be held the following Friday, February 14 between 5:30pm and 6:45pm at the Nanango Showgrounds in Cairns Street.
Women interested in taking part in Miss Showgirl should turn up at 5:30pm; and people interested in Rural Ambassador can turn up at 6:00pm when that category will be discussed.
More information can be obtained from Claire-Marie on 0468-371-436.
