PLACES and FACES
New generation of showgirls keeps history alive in Maleny By Georgia Beard AFTER more than 80 years of celebrating agriculture on the Sunshine Coast hinterland, a new generation of youth has emerged to renew history in the Maleny Show Personality competition for 2021. On Saturday, May 15, contestants and their families and friends gathered at The Orangery Maleny to share a lovely high tea, to meet this year’s entrants and hear the winners announced. Despite the event’s competitive nature, the restaurant warmed up with conversation as guests forged new friendships and rekindled old ones. Thirteen young women competed in junior and senior categories for the titles of Maleny Show Personality and Rural Ambassador. This year the event departed from its traditional format of a Saturday evening show ball, with competitors taking part in one-on-one interviews with judges earlier in the day and no requirement for them to answer questions on stage. Born and bred Bald Knob local, past winner and former judge Stacey Bentley, 26, hosted the awards ceremony. Stacey’s family has been involved in the Maleny Show for three generations, so she understands the importance of keeping our local history and traditions alive.
Stacey believes the personality competition has reached a turning point. Impacts from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have “made us challenge our thinking, and this is the first of its kind in terms of an afternoon environment,” Stacey said. “It’s a really good opportunity to still come together and recognise the entrants.” This year, 16-year-old Raylene McSweeney won the Junior Showgirl Personality for her commitment to local agriculture and experience in volunteering at previous shows. “It’s a very good feeling and I’m proud of myself,” she said. “When the interview came, it was just a bit of pressure. I felt like I had to be more … outgoing to meet the standards that it seemed like other girls were meeting.” Raylene hopes to run for Rural Ambassador in upcoming years. She also believes her participation will help build her reputation for a future career in the beauty industry. For girls like Raylene, the Maleny Show Personality creates opportunities to develop confidence and skills in public speaking and presentation.
All the entrants in this year’s Maleny Show Personality competition (back row) Jaimee Sweeting, Sacha Lanham, Bethany Lanham, Chloe Lanham, Aveli CookWilkinson, Raylene McSweeny, Hannah Scott, (front row) Kael Thompson, Grace Pearson, Isabella Sim, Kimberley Bland, Sian Ellis and Darcy Ellis Winners can go on to represent their local area in regional and state agricultural shows. ABC journalist Jennifer Nichols was one of this year’s competition judges. She said a lot was said about the bad things of youth “but I think it’s because people like these girls don’t get the light shone on them”. “Such beautiful, intelligent, vibrant young people who have a lot to offer
their community, [are] getting involved in a thing like the show to keep traditions alive and shine a light on the importance of agriculture, arts and crafts in Maleny,” Jennifer said. If you are attending this year’s Maleny Show keep an eye out for the winners of the Show Personality and Rural Ambassador categories in the grand parade on both days.
For more photos from the afternoon see page 19
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