Emma Franz, Carly Smith win South Burnett Subchamber finals

Showgirls and rural ambassadors from across the South Burnett were put through their paces to decide who would take top spot and represent at the Ekka come August.

Emma Franz and Carly Smith win South Burnett Subchamber finals 2023.

Showgirls and rural ambassadors from across the South Burnett were put through their paces on Sunday, June 18, to decided who would take out the top spot and represent the region at the 2023 Royal Brisbane Show.

The day began with a trip to Wilson’s Piggery in Murgon, where showgirl finalists Emma Franz representing the Nanango Show Society, Ashlee Schofield representing the Kingaroy Show Society, Carissa Dascombe representing the Goomeri District Show Society, Amy Henderson representing the Murgon Show Society and Jasmine Thornes representing the Wondai Show Society were greeted by the manager.

They were joined by rural ambassadors Renee Schofield representing the Kingaroy Show Society, Leonie Nichols representing the Blackbutt Agriculture Show, Carly Smith representing the Nanango Show Society, Jessyca Dakin representing the Goomeri District Show Society and Patrick Noakes representing the Murgon Show Society.

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The group was encouraged to ask questions and learn what they could about business practices and struggles the company faced.

Three years of South Burnett Rural Ambassadors – all hailing from Nanango. From left: Jasmine Thornes (2021), Carly Smith (2023) and Daniel Trace (2022).

After a quick morning tea break, the group were on the road again to the Phat Wag, a Murgon wagyu butcher.

A quick farm tour ended with lunch at the shop front, with the group once again encouraged to learn what they could about the rapidly growing business.

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2023 South Burnett Subchamber Rural Ambassador Carly Smith.

Judges May Gosgow, Damien Tessmann and Yvonne Hudson oversaw the day, and took the chance to do some subtle judging on the group’s conduct, friendliness and questions.

Afternoon tea was spent at Boonara Homestead, where the group were put through their paces with judging and interviews.

The day ended with a glamorous dinner, and the final round of onstage interviews before winners and runners-up were announced.

Emma Franz was announced as the 2023 South Burnett Subchamber Showgirl, with Amy Henderson runner-up.

Carly Smith was announced as the 2023 South Burnett Subchamber Rural Ambassador, the third year in a row a Nanango representative took out the top spot.

Patrick Noakes was named runner up.

2023 South Burnett Subchamber Showgirl Emma Franz.

Carly Smith, a 25-year-old civil engineer spoke on the achievement, and said she was “stoked” to be able to represent her region at a higher level.

A lifelong local, Miss Smith has always played the helping hand for her show society, from pencilling in the show jumping ring to helping in the canteen.

In 2022 she was the Nanango Show Society’s Showgirl, and she said she enjoyed the focus on agriculture being a rural ambassador offered her in 2023.

Prior commitments had prevented her from representing her region at the 2022 subchamber.

Miss Smith said she has already begun preparing for the Ekka in August, working on her public speaking skills and engaging with local farmers to discover the difficulties they are facing.

The South Burnett Times wishes both winners the best of luck at the 2023 Royal Brisbane Show and congratulates them on the subchamber win.

Miss Franz said she was honoured and privileged to be awarded the title.

“ I have always enjoyed entering in our local show for cattle judging and parading, helping with such events,” she said.

“I am excited to see what EKKA has in store for all Showgirls! I look forward to meeting new people and enjoying the experience and life long lessons I will learn along the way.”

Originally published as Emma Franz, Carly Smith win South Burnett Subchamber finals