She’s a petite 19-year-old but the Central and North West show societies sub-chamber has a representative with a powerful message and she can’t wait to get to Brisbane in August to share it.
Yaraka governess Tiffany Davey was chosen at the weekend to represent the region in the judging of the state Miss Showgirl final at the Ekka.
Also taking part at the regional level was Mount Isa Showgirl Priscilla McCrindle. Cloncurry’s entrant, Megan Gartside was unable to take part in the sub-chamber judging.
Originally from a prime lamb and cropping property in the heart of Western Australia’s central wheatbelt, Tiffany moved to western Queensland after graduating from agricultural college in order to expand her practical and theoretical skills.
In a short space of time she’s become secretary of the Yaraka Sports and Progress committee, a member of the Channel Country Ladies Day and president of the Yaraka Bachelor and Spinsters ball committee.
“These opportunities allow me to work alongside and learn from people who are dedicated to their communities and ensuring that regional Australia is a vibrant and sustainable place to live,” she explained.
She said it was an honour to be chosen to represent the northern and western regions on the state stage because it gave her a chance to speak up for young people in agricultural industries.
“I disagree that agriculture is dying and young people are leaving.
“Whether it’s in shearing sheds in Western Australia or at dinner camp in central Queensland I meet young people who are passionate about doing their bit to make a vibrant future.
“I want to share that.”
Tiff is a published children’s author; her first book, Five Thousand More to Go has recently been reprinted and another is in the works, along with a special cookbook.
She said that writing children’s books with an agriculture focus was something she was passionate about, saying they were a positive way to encourage consumer awareness for those not directly involved in the agriculture industry.
"It's also a way to engage young people in regional Australia to gain a love of reading."
Both young women conducted an interview, luncheon and an informal dinner while being judged on etiquette, presentation, conversation, knowledge about their local show and knowledge about local, state, national and international news and politics.
Mount Isa’s Miss Showgirl, Priscilla McCrindle said the competition had given her an insight to the work required behind the scenes to plan a show and bring it to life, as well as ideas she was hoping to implement for her community.
“I hope to make myself more open to the community and get ideas from the people back to the committee as a way to give the community a sense of ownership of the show and ultimately get them more involved.”
– Additional reporting Samantha Walton