Meet our 2017 Miss Showgirl finalists

2017 celebrates 35 years of providing an opportunity for young women to be involved in the agricultural industry, Queensland Ag Shows and their local community, through the State Showgirl.

The 2017 Queensland Country Life Miss Showgirl Awards will culminate at the Royal Queensland Show in August in Brisbane. An action packed itinerary is waiting for their arrival on Wednesday 9th August until their departure on Sunday 13th August.

Whilst in Brisbane the girls have the opportunity to experience an array of activities. These include a tour of Queensland Country Life head office; a visit to Government House and afternoon tea with The Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland and a tour of Parliament House. This year the girls will also be attending the Rural Press Club of Queensland Ekka breakfast.

All this culminates in the announcement of the 2017 Queensland Country Life Showgirl on Friday afternoon. But first, let’s meet the all the finalists. 

Sarah grew up in WA and moved to Qld eight years ago. She completed her secondary education via distance education through Maryborough Christian College. Sarah studied a Bachelor of Learning Management majoring in Secondary and Vet. She is now an English Teacher working at Gin Gin State High School. Sarah’s ambitions include creating a community garden to support her work as a hospitality teacher. She would like to further her studies in permaculture to assist with her work within the school and community. She enjoys gardening, painting, sewing and helping her parents with their Dexter stud cattle.

What inspires you? People - they inspire me to be better and do more in my community and as a teacher.

What do you see yourself doing in five years? I would like to own my own land in the Gin Gin area. I would also still be active within the show committee and hopefully have a thriving community garden in place.

What's your main rule in life? Treat others how I would like to be treated.

Kate was born and raised on a farm on the Darling Downs. She completed her secondary education at Pittsworth State High School. Last year she graduated from USQ with a Bachelor in Spatial Science majoring in Surveying (Hons). Kate now lives in Moranbah and works as a Graduate Surveyor with BHP. She is also the current Global Social Media Manager for Robogals. In the future, Kate hopes to continue her role as a mentor and role model for girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) and continue to engage young girls in the endless opportunities STEM careers can have. Kate’s hobbies include raising chickens, reading and sewing. She was also the captain for the 2016 USQ University Games Team and captained the women’s basketball team.

What inspires you? Volunteers – they are the backbone of the nation.

What do you see yourself doing in five years? I envisage I will have completed the requirements to be a registered surveyor. I would also like to stay involved with an organisation that mentors females in STEM careers.

What's your main rule in life? Always have a go – you might not succeed, but if you don’t have a go, you certainly won’t succeed.

Claire grew up on a Simmental Stud on the Darling Downs. She completed her secondary education at Our Lady of the Southern Cross College in Dalby. Claire currently works as a governess on Trinidad Station and is studying a Bachelor of Media and Communications majoring in Writing and Publishing through UNE. She hopes to use her degree to make a lasting impact on the agricultural industry, by using the power of media to bridge the knowledge and understanding gap between primary producers and those living in urban areas. Claire is involved in the Yaraka BnS committee and is collating a book of local yarns to publish as a fundraiser for the RFDS. Claire enjoys sewing, cooking, millinery and working on the station.

What inspires you? I surround myself with people who inspire me. I find nothing more encouraging than being amongst people who constantly lift each other up and towards their ambitions

What do you see yourself doing in five years? I will have finished my degree and embarking on a career as a rural journalist. With any luck I will be sharing my life with wonderful people and be contemplating starting a family.

What's your main rule in life? Success doesn’t come from luck, it comes from planning and persistence.

Jessica was born and raised in the Callide Valley. She completed her secondary education at Biloela State High School. She is currently studying a Certificate III in Commercial cookery and is a third year apprentice chef at Hotel Settlers in Biloela. Jessica would love to start her own business with a focus on cooking demonstration classes to help educate residents on nutritional cooking and preparation of healthy meals. She would like to remain in the Callide Valley and has recently purchased her first house in Biloela. Jessica and her father compete in chainsaw racing competitions and in 2016 she represented Biloela at the 2016 National Chainsaw Racing Titles. She enjoys exploring the outdoors, four-wheel driving and camping.

What inspires you? My parents - they taught my sister and I to work hard for what you’d like to achieve in life.

What do you see yourself doing in five years? I would like to become a Head Chef, with the hopes to opening my own business.

What's your main rule in life? Work hard for what you wish to achieve but don’t forget to have fun along the way.

Lucy grew up in Bundaberg and completed her secondary education at Shalom College. She moved to Toowoomba to study a Bachelor of Science in Environment & Sustainability at USQ and has since studied Honours in Plant Ecology. Lucy works as a Science Operations Officer at Pittsworth State High School and enjoys facilitating practical activities for students within their science lessons. Her future ambitions include travelling the world and experiencing as many different countries and cultures as possible. Her hobbies include yoga, knitting, photography and flower arranging. Lucy enjoys watching tennis, State of Origin and the Olympics. She was also a keen ballet dancer and participated in dance for 18 years.

What inspires you? I am continually inspired by the resilience and the ability of those who succeed in the face of adversity on a day to day basis, whether this is through their family life, relationships, work or natural disasters.

What do you see yourself doing in five years? I would like to be furthering my study in the field of Plant Ecology, either through a Master’s Degree or a PhD.

What's your main rule in life? Be true to my values, which include honesty and hard work, being optimistic, fun loving and a good listener.

Wendy grew up in Gympie and completed her secondary education at Gympie State High School. After graduating Wendy went contract mustering and worked on various properties and stations around central and western Queensland. She has recently moved back home where she now works for a local business selling and promoting equestrian wear. Since school she has completed a Certificate II in Agriculture, Certificate II in Hospitality and a Certificate I in Business. Her future ambitions include starting her own business making horse rugs and accessories along with continuing to breed, train and sell performance horses. Wendy’s hobbies include campdrafting, showing and judging prime and stud beef cattle. She also enjoys netball, touch football and a day at the races.

What inspires you? My love for the land.

What do you see yourself doing in five years? I would like to have my own business and remain very active within rural agricultural shows.

What's your main rule in life? To be yourself and live life everyday to the fullest.

Marinka was born and raised in Cairns and completed her secondary education at Saint Monica’s College, Cairns. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Business Economics through Swinburne University. Marinka works as an events coordinator at a local media start-up company, TropicNow. Her ambitions include continuing her media work across multiple platforms including websites, magazines, events and design studio. Marinka volunteers with the charity Rosies, a charity that provides food and emotional support to those in need. She is also a member of the Cairns Business Women’s Club and uses her expertise in events to help them organise a conference focusing on empowering women. Marinka enjoys playing the violin, going for walks and supporting her local basketball team, The Cairns Taipans.

What inspires you? I am inspired by setting a challenging goal for myself and starting something I have no idea how to finish or trying something I’ve always been too afraid to.

What do you see yourself doing in five years? I’d like to grow in confidence, I’d like to continue to work and thrive in the job that I love, and I’d like to see myself devoting more time to my family and friends.

What's your main rule in life? Work for a purpose, not for an applause.

Courtney grew up on the family farm in the South Burnett. She completed her secondary education at Kingaroy State High School. After school Courtney completed a Bachelor of General Science at James Cook University. She has now returned home to Kingaroy and is living on the family farm and enjoys helping with their horse-training complex and their Charolais cattle. Courtney currently works as a laboratory analyst for Alkaloids of Australia. Her ambitions include becoming a forensic scientist for the Queensland Police Force and buying her own block of land. She has enjoyed riding horses for many years competing at Pony Club and attending the State Championships. Her hobbies include quilting, horse riding, volleyball and swimming.

What inspires you? My family and friends inspire me every day.

What do you see yourself doing in five years? I aspire to gain more responsibility at work and possibly a leadership role and one day I hope to work as a forensic scientist but for now am happy to be back at home in the South Burnett gaining experience in a laboratory.

What's your main rule in life? To remain honest and true to myself, whilst enjoying all life has to offer.

Jessica moved to Mudgeeraba with her family when she was three. She completed her secondary education at Varsity College on the Gold Coast. She works at LJ Hooker Mudgeeraba as their Business Development Manager. Jessica built her first home and is eager to purchase another home to begin her first renovation project. Her ambitions include assisting her show youth committee to implement new initiatives and further the valuable education that our agricultural shows provide. Jessica has visited many countries but would love to travel more and believes her most memorable places have been those she has bungee jumped in. Her hobbies include camping, netball, travelling, networking and muay thai kickboxing.

What inspires you? Small business owners inspire me, I have witnessed the dedication, risk and commitment that family and many small business owners are taking.

What do you see yourself doing in five years? I aim to soon be part of the ‘Captains Club’ within my industry, continue my travels and begin my first home renovation project.

What's your main rule in life? Do it with passion or don’t do it at all.

Brooke grew up on a cattle property north of Miles and she completed her secondary education at Downlands College in Toowoomba. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Hons) and working for her local council as a Cadet Technical Officer. Brooke’s ambitions include creating awareness of the opportunities that exist in rural areas and ensuring that people know what rural towns have to offer.. She would like to continue competing in the show circuit and volunteer her time with the Smith Family in tutoring underprivileged students. Her hobbies include horse riding, photography, baking, cake decorating and netball.

What inspires you? I'm inspired by those around me and my community. I am so lucky to have grown up in a rural town like Miles with the support of my friends and family.

What do you see yourself doing in five years? In five years I will be a fully qualified civil engineer working as a project manager in a rural community.

What's your main rule in life? From a young age I have always been told to focus on the positive, “It’s not about what it is, it’s about what it can become.” - Dr Seuss

Emma grew up in Grandchester on her parents Brahman cattle farm. She completed her secondary education at Laidley State High School. Emma is currently completing a Bachelor of Information Technology majoring in IT Management and Development at USQ. She hopes to work for the Commonwealth Bank and work her way up to the ranks of CEO. Her ambitions include completing a beauty course and owning her own home beauty salon on the side and also completing an event planning and management course. Emma’s hobbies include horse riding, swimming and poultry. She owns over 60 chickens in a range of different breeds.

What inspires you? The unbelievable opportunities you get to experience as a Showgirl such as the chance to meet other ladies with the same passion for shows from different sub chambers, a tour of Parliament House and the experience of a lifetime.

What do you see yourself doing in five years? In five years’ time I see myself working in the Commonwealth bank, as well as having my own home salon.

What's your main rule in life? My main rule in life is “don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not good enough”.