Afternoon Tea for 2016 Queensland Country Life Miss Showgirl Finalists

It is always a great pleasure to welcome the finalists of the Queensland Country Life Miss Showgirl awards to Government House. Today we also welcome back to Fernberg our 2015 winner, Ms Mesner, and extend the particularly warm hospitality of Queensland Government House – I emphasise warm in the context of this year’s Origin series outcome – to Ms Epplestun, 2016 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl.

The annual Ekka is an event which Kaye and I look forward to very much. A particular highlight for us is the opportunity to meet the young people who represent the 11 sub-chambers of the Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Societies.

You are the epitome of what regional youth has to offer, and you are to be congratulated on the knowledge, passion and community involvement which has earned you your place as a Miss Showgirl finalist. 

Although today has been a very long day for you and you are undoubtedly a little nervous, I trust you will savour every moment and remember this occasion for many years to come.

You are upholding a fine tradition which goes back many, many years.

The first Qld Miss Showgirl award was held in 1983, but the Shows that you promote trace their history back much further.

Agricultural shows have been a part of the Australian landscape since 1822. Across Queensland there are 128 Agricultural and Show Societies, each of which contributes to the cultural and educational life of the community, and each of which has its own rich history.

It has been Kaye’s and my enormous pleasure over the past month to officially open the centenary shows in Gatton and Malanda, and to witness the great pride and effort those communities put into those events.

In Malanda I had the added pleasure of crowning Miss Dairy Queen, in honour of the region's longstanding connection with the dairy industry.

Agriculture holds a very special place in the heart of Queensland.

The community shows which you represent showcase the very best Queensland has to offer – it is my very great honour as Governor of Queensland to celebrate that with you.

But for now, I wish you all the very best for the competition. Kaye and I hope that you enjoy the hospitality of Government House, and the rest of your very busy stay in Brisbane. We very much look forward to seeing the winner and runner-up at next week’s Ekka reception here at Government House. Thank you.