This competition is a leadership program for all young women and men who will learn to engage in the community and the agricultural show movement. The aim of these awards are to ‘recognise, develop and celebrate young leaders in our community’. The program allows the Mudgeeraba Agricultural Show to engage young men and women in the community to develop their leadership skills and confidence to continue their involvement in, and representation of the show.
The Mudgeeraba Show Girl and Ambassador Awards has continued to develop since its inception. Personality, confidence, leadership qualities, ambitions, goals, general knowledge, contextual agricultural knowledge, agricultural show knowledge, community participation, presentation and public speaking skills are key when selecting a Showgirl and Rural Ambassador In addition to the above we are looking for young men and women to be the face of our Show. So many of our youth who have entered this competition have used their skills for personal and career development. When entering this competition you have so much to learn and nothing to lose. |
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Changing a Life... One Sash At a Time...
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Jessica Cummings
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What a journey that last 12 months has been! From being crowned the 2017 Miss Mudgeeraba Showgirl, South East Queensland Show girl and the winning Miss Popular at the Ekka.
Many don’t understand what an honour this journey has been. I have been able to represent my home town and the Agricultural Show Movement. If I had known what I was going to gain and learn from this experience I wouldn’t have waited until I was twenty-seven to enter and taken the step years ago.
At first some of my friends , family and co-workers didn’t quite understand what a Showgirl was. I was even asked if I had to dance or sing to win the competition. I can not help but laugh because it couldn’t be further from what the Showgirl awards stand for. When I entered this competition I was twenty-seven and have lived in Mudgeeraba for twenty-four years. I have always enjoyed the Mudgeeraba Show and was eager to be involved in the Agricultural Show in one way or another. Little did I know that making this decision has been a life changer. Over the last twelve months I have travelled to rural Queensland Communities, learnt about the joys and challengers our farmers face and now I have so much appreciation for the effort and love that goes into the QLD Agricultural Shows . One highlight of my year was staying on a friends cattle property in a train carriage they converted into bedrooms, however it is the many friends I have made all over Queensland who are the true treasure. These friendships will last a life time. Even though the Miss Showgirls days are soon to end, I will ensure I keep in contact with these people and visit them as often as I can.
I was lucky enough to have also represented the South East Queensland Sub chamber at the 2017 Ekka. It was here I was shashed Miss Popular. What an adventure this was, I made more friends, experienced the Ekka like I had never done before and even visited Parliament house and had tea with the His Excellency, the Governor of Queensland.
My advice to anyone looking at entering this completion and who may be scared or not sure what they can gain… I will tell you this now. This experience has been life changing. Miss Mudgeeraba has helped me grow and transform into a more confident woman. I have made life long friends and loved every second of the journey. I would like to express my sincere thanks for all the love and support I have received from my show society friends and family.
Many don’t understand what an honour this journey has been. I have been able to represent my home town and the Agricultural Show Movement. If I had known what I was going to gain and learn from this experience I wouldn’t have waited until I was twenty-seven to enter and taken the step years ago.
At first some of my friends , family and co-workers didn’t quite understand what a Showgirl was. I was even asked if I had to dance or sing to win the competition. I can not help but laugh because it couldn’t be further from what the Showgirl awards stand for. When I entered this competition I was twenty-seven and have lived in Mudgeeraba for twenty-four years. I have always enjoyed the Mudgeeraba Show and was eager to be involved in the Agricultural Show in one way or another. Little did I know that making this decision has been a life changer. Over the last twelve months I have travelled to rural Queensland Communities, learnt about the joys and challengers our farmers face and now I have so much appreciation for the effort and love that goes into the QLD Agricultural Shows . One highlight of my year was staying on a friends cattle property in a train carriage they converted into bedrooms, however it is the many friends I have made all over Queensland who are the true treasure. These friendships will last a life time. Even though the Miss Showgirls days are soon to end, I will ensure I keep in contact with these people and visit them as often as I can.
I was lucky enough to have also represented the South East Queensland Sub chamber at the 2017 Ekka. It was here I was shashed Miss Popular. What an adventure this was, I made more friends, experienced the Ekka like I had never done before and even visited Parliament house and had tea with the His Excellency, the Governor of Queensland.
My advice to anyone looking at entering this completion and who may be scared or not sure what they can gain… I will tell you this now. This experience has been life changing. Miss Mudgeeraba has helped me grow and transform into a more confident woman. I have made life long friends and loved every second of the journey. I would like to express my sincere thanks for all the love and support I have received from my show society friends and family.
A Chance to Learn...
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During my time as the 2017 Mudgeeraba Show and South East Queensland Rural Ambassador, I have been privileged to work with some remarkable people from all over the state. Throughout my year I have learnt about agriculture and the importance of communication within the state, the shows history and operations, community spirit and myself. I can confidently say that if I were to have the opportunity again, I would jump at the chance and encourage more young people, regardless of your knowledge or interaction with shows or agriculture to put their hand up for a chance to learn. As this year is coming to a close, I reflect on the experiences I have had and can't wait to continue working within these networks.
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Once in a Lifetime Experience...
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How time flies when you’re having the time of your life! At only 20 years old I have done so much, seen so much, and met so many incredible people. I was inspired, humbled, educated and happy every step of the way. Over the twelve months of my Queensland Country Life Miss Showgirl journey, I was so incredibly lucky to have been invited to over 30 agricultural shows and their various functions. I am amazed to say that excluding my trip over to America, I travelled approximately 17,500km with my role. I enjoyed each and every experience, and each offered me something new to learn.
I travelled over to America to attend the International Association of Fair and Exhibitions conference, and loved every moment learning about other agricultural shows across the world.
I will forever remember my time at Tara, where I opened my first show, and discovered yabby races, which have now become a great drawcard at our own Mudgeeraba Woodchop Bar. I will also cherish my time at Wandoan, where I raced a goat. My time at Goondiwindi, where I judged my first poultry competition, or the time where I travelled to four shows in four days, visiting Charleville, Ipswich, Brookfield then Alpha. I will of course always have the memory of opening my own show, Mudgeeraba.
The showgirl competition is so incredibly important. It not only offers incredible opportunities for young women across Queensland to engage with their community and agricultural shows, but it also provides opportunities to grow and learn in both the personal and professional fields.
I strongly believe that without the showgirl competition, I would not be as confident or well spoken today. I have learnt more about other people from all walks of life. I have learnt to appreciate further the time and effort that our valuable primary producers place into their businesses every day. I have been inspired to share their messages in my own community, and hope to engage others to do the same.
The Agricultural Show movement has the largest volunteer base in Australia, however even though there are thousands of volunteers across the hundreds of Ag Shows, we remain a kind of family. As the Queensland Showgirl I was welcomed and accepted into so many communities in Queensland, and that is something that I will forever cherish.
I would like to express my endless thanks to my Mudgeeraba Show Society Family, for all that they’ve done over the years and to my family. My passion for the Agricultural Show Movement is thanks to them. I am so grateful for this experience and sad to see this chapter of my life close but as they say, when one door closes, another opens. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me next!
I travelled over to America to attend the International Association of Fair and Exhibitions conference, and loved every moment learning about other agricultural shows across the world.
I will forever remember my time at Tara, where I opened my first show, and discovered yabby races, which have now become a great drawcard at our own Mudgeeraba Woodchop Bar. I will also cherish my time at Wandoan, where I raced a goat. My time at Goondiwindi, where I judged my first poultry competition, or the time where I travelled to four shows in four days, visiting Charleville, Ipswich, Brookfield then Alpha. I will of course always have the memory of opening my own show, Mudgeeraba.
The showgirl competition is so incredibly important. It not only offers incredible opportunities for young women across Queensland to engage with their community and agricultural shows, but it also provides opportunities to grow and learn in both the personal and professional fields.
I strongly believe that without the showgirl competition, I would not be as confident or well spoken today. I have learnt more about other people from all walks of life. I have learnt to appreciate further the time and effort that our valuable primary producers place into their businesses every day. I have been inspired to share their messages in my own community, and hope to engage others to do the same.
The Agricultural Show movement has the largest volunteer base in Australia, however even though there are thousands of volunteers across the hundreds of Ag Shows, we remain a kind of family. As the Queensland Showgirl I was welcomed and accepted into so many communities in Queensland, and that is something that I will forever cherish.
I would like to express my endless thanks to my Mudgeeraba Show Society Family, for all that they’ve done over the years and to my family. My passion for the Agricultural Show Movement is thanks to them. I am so grateful for this experience and sad to see this chapter of my life close but as they say, when one door closes, another opens. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me next!
More than the Sash, More than a Show...
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“Oh so did you have to do like a routine with a feather boa or was it more like preaching world peace in a bikini?” – Somehow these questions led to a discussion on Youth Involvement in the Agricultural Show Movement.
I'm Ruby, the 2016 Miss Mudgeeraba Showgirl an. As I hand over my sash to the next, firstly, I can’t believe that this chapter of my life is complete. From riding in a vintage car during the Grand Parade to getting lost somewhere between Warwick and Goondiwindi with 2016 Queensland Country Life Showgirl Kaitlyn Shultz – I have literally had the ride of my life.
Sure I got to wear a gorgeous sash, attend important events and even represent the Show Society in the BLEACH* Beauty Pageant, but I also got to steward the Home Brew Section in the Pavilion and help sell raffle tickets at the Dinner Dance. Showgirl to me, was always more than the sash, it was being apart of something greater. My time as 2016 Showgirl has brought me into a fantastically diverse community of people, all with the common purpose of making the Show just a little bit better than the previous year and celebrating the rich history of Agricultural Shows in Australia.
The Mudgeeraba Show Society does not just start and end with the Mudgeeraba Show, it is a community – brought together by the love of Agricultural Shows but united by the monthly meetings and the hundreds of community events that the Show Society is involved in throughout the year. I have been fortunate to be involved since in the Mudgeeraba Show Society Youth Committee, focused specifically on bringing our generation to the Show. Succession planning has never been more vital for Show Societies and with modern technology putting instant entertainment at our fingertips – the traditional family day out at the local show has never been more at risk.
The Youth Committee encapsulates all that is traditionally loved about the Mudgeeraba Show and market it towards our generation through social media and events. Moreover, we are committed to running programs like Showgirl, Rural Ambassador, Young Farmers Challenge and the Dalby Exchange to target a generation that would otherwise be lost to the enriching Agricultural Show Movement. If anything, I am an example of what the Youth Committee can achieved, bringing a 21-year-old university student the wonderful community that is the Mudgeeraba Show Society.
I'm Ruby, the 2016 Miss Mudgeeraba Showgirl an. As I hand over my sash to the next, firstly, I can’t believe that this chapter of my life is complete. From riding in a vintage car during the Grand Parade to getting lost somewhere between Warwick and Goondiwindi with 2016 Queensland Country Life Showgirl Kaitlyn Shultz – I have literally had the ride of my life.
Sure I got to wear a gorgeous sash, attend important events and even represent the Show Society in the BLEACH* Beauty Pageant, but I also got to steward the Home Brew Section in the Pavilion and help sell raffle tickets at the Dinner Dance. Showgirl to me, was always more than the sash, it was being apart of something greater. My time as 2016 Showgirl has brought me into a fantastically diverse community of people, all with the common purpose of making the Show just a little bit better than the previous year and celebrating the rich history of Agricultural Shows in Australia.
The Mudgeeraba Show Society does not just start and end with the Mudgeeraba Show, it is a community – brought together by the love of Agricultural Shows but united by the monthly meetings and the hundreds of community events that the Show Society is involved in throughout the year. I have been fortunate to be involved since in the Mudgeeraba Show Society Youth Committee, focused specifically on bringing our generation to the Show. Succession planning has never been more vital for Show Societies and with modern technology putting instant entertainment at our fingertips – the traditional family day out at the local show has never been more at risk.
The Youth Committee encapsulates all that is traditionally loved about the Mudgeeraba Show and market it towards our generation through social media and events. Moreover, we are committed to running programs like Showgirl, Rural Ambassador, Young Farmers Challenge and the Dalby Exchange to target a generation that would otherwise be lost to the enriching Agricultural Show Movement. If anything, I am an example of what the Youth Committee can achieved, bringing a 21-year-old university student the wonderful community that is the Mudgeeraba Show Society.
