Mundubbera’s Brittany Kugel wins 2021 Queensland Country Life Showgirl competition

This nurse had no idea how far diving into show society could take her, saying her latest experience left her shell-shocked and ‘trying not to cry’.

Brittany Kugel signed up as a showgirl upon returning to from university to her hometown of Mundubbera, eager to get involved and help out in her community.

From this humble beginning, Ms Kugel rose through the ranks to reach the 2021 Queensland Country Life Showgirl competition – walking away with the top prize.

“I had moved away from Mundubbera for my education and took the opportunity to go and work out west for a bit,” she said.

“Once I got my nursing degree, I started to miss the feeling of home and the community I knew so well.”

The 22-year-old said she searching for a way to involve herself in her beloved community when Mundubbera Show Society Showgirl co-ordinator Laura Maeyke suggested she walk the showgirl road. The rest was history.

“I was pretty astounded when I won at our (Burnett) sub-chamber level, so to get to the state finals was a bit of a shock,” she said.

Walking away with the tri-coloured ribbon at the finals in Brisbane, Ms Kugel said the experience still “doesn’t feel real”.

“I was in a state of complete shock, and to be honest, trying not to cry,” she said.

“I keep looking at the ribbon and trying to come to terms with the fact that it’s in my possession.”

Mundubbera Showgirl Brittany Kugel.

Ms Kugel said she was excited for what was to come and hoped to visit country show’s statewide to learn more about what she can contribute through her role.

She said she was eager to educate people on what can be achieved through show society and speak with emerging young community leaders.

Ms Kugel works as a registered nurse at the Mundubbera Multipurpose Health Service in the clinical areas of emergency, acute, aged, palliative, rehabilitative, outpatient, communication and cancer care.

She said she loved being able to give back to the community that raised her and care for them the way they cared for her as a child.

Ms Kugel encouraged anyone considering becoming a showgirl to give it a go.

“Even if you don't think you qualify or you’re not eligible, or you don’t have enough knowledge or you’re not good at public speaking. Just do it,” she said.

“Because the whole Showgirl movement is transitioning into the future.

“Just be yourself and your best qualities will shine through.”