Queensland Country Life Showgirl Awards
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Recognising, Developing and Celebrating Young Female Leaders in Queensland Communities
We need young female leaders across Queensland to ensure the sustainability of our communities and agricultural shows. We recognise the role young women play in sustaining the vibrancy in our communities and agricultural shows. We also understand the need to recognise and develop our young female leaders in order for them to continue to grow and give back to their communities. That’s why the tradition of the Showgirl Awards remains renewed through Queensland Ag Shows, now and into the future.
About the Showgirl Awards:
Over the past 40 years, the Queensland Showgirl Awards has gained a significant profile and is recognised for its role in developing young female leaders and shaping them into women of influence in their local or wider communities.
The Queensland Country Life Showgirl Awards are hosted at all levels of the agricultural show movement in Queensland – at a local level, a regional (Sub-Chamber) level, and a State level coinciding with the Royal Queensland Show in August.
Who Can Apply?
The Queensland Country Life Showgirl Awards program is open to young women of 18 to 28 years of age who have a close affiliation with a Queensland Agricultural Show. There are no other restrictions of entry to the Awards program. The Showgirl Awards is an excellent opportunity for young women to become more involved in their local agricultural show and community.
How Do I Nominate for the Awards?
Women wishing to enter the Showgirl Awards at their local agricultural show do so by contacting their local Show Secretary or Showgirl Awards Coordinator. They will provide you with a Nomination Form and more details as to the process moving forward. If your show does not host a Showgirl Awards competition, or do not hast a Show for any reason, the Show may nominate an entrant to represent the Show at Sub Chamber Finals.
2024 Queensland Country Life Showgirl Awards State Finalists:
Back (L-R): Jasmine Thornes (South Burnett), Sarah Perkins (Central Highlands), Ella Bischoff (South-East QLD), Emily Wickham (Central QLD), Michayla Cowley (West Moreton Brisbane Valley), Allanah Giuffrida (North QLD)
Front (L-R): Madison Rawlinson (Darling Downs), Monique Dingle (Burnett), Holly Harrington (Near North Coast), Delaney Hoyes (Central & North-West QLD), Simone Silcock (South-West QLD)
2024 Showgirl Winner:
Sarah Perkins
Sarah, from the Samford Valley near Brisbane, has always had a deep love for nature and community. After graduating from university, she began her teaching career in Brisbane before moving to Capella to continue her passion for education. Growing up, she was inspired by the Showgirls at the Samford Show and admired their dedication to community and agriculture.
One of Sarah’s most memorable experiences was hosting the annual bush poetry competition, where she was impressed by the talent and confidence of local primary school students as they recited poems to an enthusiastic audience.
Sarah believes her dedication to education and community gives her a unique perspective that aligns with the core values of the Showgirl program. She has also started a culture club at her school to celebrate Indigenous cultures and foster a stronger connection among students and the community.
2024 Showgirl Runner-Up:
Ella Bischoff
Ella grew up on a dairy farm in Tamrookum, just outside of Beaudesert, and is currently studying veterinary science at James Cook University in Townsville. Her family has a long history of involvement in the Beaudesert Show, sparking her passion for agricultural shows from an early age. As a child, she experienced firsthand the dedication and hard work that go into organizing a show, which inspired her participation in the Showgirl Awards.
What sets Ella apart is her unique perspective as both a farmer’s daughter and a vet student, allowing her to engage deeply in conversations about rural life and agricultural issues. She has actively contributed to her community by helping with the Ag Ed section of her local show, where she once found inspiration as a young attendee.
In addition to her commitment to agriculture, Ella has a surprising talent for recalling obscure Formula 1 facts, a passion so strong she even named her dog after a driver.
2024 Showgirls’ Choice Winner:
Simone Silcock
Simone has called Wandoan/Guluguba home for the past two and a half years, moving to the area for love and quickly finding herself immersed in the community through her involvement in the Wandoan Showgirl competition, encouraged by family connections. Her passion for agricultural shows began early on when she started showing cattle for her school. This experience opened doors to attend Gatton University, where she not only pursued her studies but also met her partner, deepening her ties to the agricultural community.
Simone believes that what sets her apart is her deep investment in her local community and her eagerness to bring that commitment to a broader audience across the region and state. She thrives on building connections with people, learning from them, and contributing positively to their lives, which she feels is a hallmark of her character. Her ability to network and speak confidently in front of groups has been one of the most valuable lessons learned through her involvement in Queensland Agricultural Shows.
In addition to her Showgirl journey, Simone has been actively involved in a significant town streetscape project aimed at enhancing the charm of Wandoan. This initiative includes a range of creative endeavors, from installing vibrant murals to crafting a unique barbed wire bottle tree, each adding a distinct touch to the town’s aesthetic and drawing the community closer together.
Beyond her work in the community and her dedication to the Showgirl role, Simone has a passion for gymnastics, a lesser-known fact about her. She hopes to rekindle her involvement in the sport, bringing the same energy and dedication she shows in her community work to her athletic pursuits.
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