Meet the Wide Bay Burnett 2023 Showgirls and Rural Ambassadors
From Bundaberg to Gympie and out to the Burnett, they’re the smiling official faces of the regional shows that play such an important role on our social calendar. Meet the Showgirl entrants and rural ambassadors of the Wide Bay and Burnett for 2023.
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Attending your local show often comes with many fond memories of time honoured traditions, from the fairy floss sugar highs to the awe of watching the spectacles of the main ring.
A beloved staple of rural shows is the Showgirl, who is always ready, willing and happy to help guide attendees around the grounds with a unique insight into the show and its history.
In modern years, the Showgirl has come to represent more than just a pretty face of the regional agricultural industry, with many young showgirls cementing themselves as firm leaders in the youth agricultural scene.
While some Wide Bay and Burnett regional show societies have struggled to fill the role for the 2023 season, those who have are thrilled to introduce them.
Check out these photos from the 2022 Bundaberg Show
Meet your 2023 Wide Bay Burnett Showgirls and Rural Ambassadors:
Mt Perry Show Society
Mount Perry Showgirl Casey Cleary
Casey Cleary will step into the Showgirl role for the first time this year, but she is no stranger to the inner workings of the show society.
From her youth she has played a hand in setting up and pulling down, and has spent the better part of the last decade as a pavilion steward and in the secretary office.
“I feel honoured to be able to represent Mount Perry and showcase our local country show,” she said.
“I look forward to meeting new people and promoting small country towns and their shows to the wider community.”
Miss Cleary hopes to go on to represent Mount Perry and the North Burnett region at the Ekka, and said she is excited to become a voice and representative of the region.
Gympie Show Society
Junior Showgirl Katelyn Ford
At just 15 years old Katelyn will be representing the Ring Committee as the 2023 Junior Showgirl for the Gympie Show Society.
Photos: Gympie Show history photo gallery
Katelyn is already a volunteer for the Girl Guides, while staying busy with school at Riverside Distance Education.
Junior Showgirl Jorja McIntyre
Gympie High student Jorja McIntyre will represent the Gympie Show Society Beef Committee in her role at the 2023 Junior Showgirl.
Jorja hopes her position will allow her to promote more women in agriculture, and she has a keen passion for the cattle industry.
She pursues her passion through judging, breeding and photographing beef cattle.
Junior Showgirl Larney Steggle
Larney Steggle also attends Gympie State High School, and will represent the Pavilion Committee in her role as the 2023 Junior Showgirl.
Larney has aspired to be a showgirl since she was young, watching in awe as a horse rider and cattle worker in her spare time,
She hopes through the position she will be able to build her confidence to be a better role model and advocate for her community.
Junior Showgirl Amy Wheeler
Amy Wheeler hopes to use her Showgirl position as a chance to represent and give back to her community, in both showing and agriculture.
She will represent the Dairy Committee at the 2023 Gympie Show, and already has a keen passion for the dairy and beef industry.
She hopes the role will also improve her communication skills as she continues her education at Gympie High School.
Senior Showgirl Emily Graham
Emily Graham is a beloved member of the Show Society, and also spends her time volunteering with the Noosa Show committee.
She hopes to use the Showgirl position as a chance to represent her community, and build on her own communication skills.
She is currently completing a Bachelor of Education while helping out at home on the cattle property her parents own and manage.
Senior Showgirl Nathalie Carr
Nathalie Carr, 21, will represent the Beef Committee at this year’s Gympie Show, and hopes to use the opportunity to become a more active member of her community.
She is currently studying to become a teacher, with a background in childcare encouraging her down this career path.
She also hopes to fundraise for her community and the show society through her position.
Junior Rural Ambassador Summer Lipke
Summer Lipke, 16, has a history with the Show Society, and served as their 2022 Showgirl.
The St Patrick's College student hopes to become a teacher after graduating.
Senior Rural Ambassador Brianna Van Doren
As the 2023 Rural Ambassador for the 2023 Gympie Show, Brianna Van Doren hopes to encourage more young people into the agricultural industry.
“I personally believe it is important that primary producers of our region are supported in leading the youth of our district and guiding them to be successful in the agricultural industries,” she said.
Having spent her youth on a dairy farm in Gympie, she has a passion for the industry which she shares with her peers at the Gympie State High School.
“In this position I have been able to connect students with community allowing them to learn industry relevant skills and show them opportunities within it,” she said.
Murgon Show Society
Junior Showgirl Emma Lindholm
Emma Lindholm, 14, said she has always had her eye on the Showgirl position since her very first Protson Show entry for the lego exhibition at just seven years old.
From that day she has had a passion for the arts community, and has been a regular exhibitor at the show.
When the opportunity came to take on the 2023 Junior Showgirl role Emma leapt at the chance to use the platform to show other young people in the region what the position can offer.
“I love inspiring people and helping show others ways to succeed,” she said.
“Showgirl helps to provide a platform where opportunities in our local and wider community can be shared.”
She said regional shows were an opportunity for youths to show off their skills and talents.
“I think that being a showgirl is important to display what opportunities youth get, and how we exercise those and use it to become better,” she said.
From left: Miss Murgon Renee Irvine, Mrs Murgon Claire Kapernick, Junior Show Princesses Ellie Eagleson and Kate Macmillan, Miss Showgirl Amy Henderson and Rural Ambassador Patrick Noakes.
Miss Murgon – Renee Irvine
Mrs Murgon – Claire Kapernick
Miss Showgirl – Amy Henderson
Rural Ambassador – Patrick Noakes
Junior Show Princesses – Ellie Eagleson and Kate Macmillan
Proston Show Society
Proston Showgirl – Madeleine Blaker
Rural Ambassador – Cody Beasley
Junior Showgirl – Sarah Clegg
Junior Rural Ambassador – Maggie Livett
Junior Show Princess – Alysse Clegg
The Gin Gin Show Society will announce its Showgirls and Rural Ambassadors for the 2023 season at the Gala Ball on May 6, 2023.
The Kingaroy Show Society will announce its Showgirls and Rural Ambassadors at its Show Dinner on Friday April 21, 2023 and are still calling for entrants.
The Mundubbera Show Society will announce its official Showgirls and Rural Ambassadors on the Main Day of their 2023 show, May 5.
Bundaberg, Childers and Gayndah Show Societies did not respond by deadline.
Unfortunately due to support issues the following show societies were not able to have Showgirls and Rural Ambassadors at their 2023 shows: Monto Show Society, Eidsvold Show Society, Kilcoy Show Society, Nanango Show Society, Fraser Coast Show Society.
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Originally published as Meet the Wide Bay Burnett 2023 Showgirls and Rural Ambassadors
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