History was made at the Royal Queensland Show when Longreach showgirl, Claire Jackson, won the Queensland Country Life Miss Showgirl competition.
Representing Central and North West Queensland, Ms Jackson was the first showgirl in the competition’s 35 years to win on behalf of that sub-chamber.
The prestigious award was presented to the 22-year-old governess from Trinidad Station, north west of Quilpie, who was lost for words when she was sashed on Friday afternoon.
“I was really not expecting to win this, it is mind blowing. I think it will take a while to sink in,” she said.
“I had the most amazing coordinator so I have been well supported. Judging was an easy process, all the judges were approachable and friendly.”
Growing up on a Simmental Stud on the Darling Downs this was not Ms Jackson’s first time at the Royal Queensland Show, having previously shown cattle in the ring.
Determined to make it back to the Ekka, Ms Jackson entered in the showgirl competition as a way of meeting other people with a similar passion for the show movement and agriculture industry.
“I have always had a passion for agriculture so the Longreach Show Society provided the perfect opportunity to get involved,” she said.
“I previously entered in the showgirl competition at my hometown, Bell, in 2015 and had a wonderful experience. It was a wonderful way to get back into the community and meet people, so I wanted to redo that experience in Longreach.”
During Ms Jackson’s reign she hopes to fly the flag a little closer to home.
“I look forward to promoting my region but also working with Miss Showgirl Runner Up, Marinka Zanetich to highlight isolated, rural shows in north-west and north Queensland.”
2017 Miss Showgirl Runner Up, Marinka Zanetich, 21, also made history, being the first representative from North Queensland to place as a state finalist.
2017 Miss Popular was announced on Saturday evening, with South East Queensland representative Jessica Cummings, 27, being sashed.
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