With the 2018 Queensland Miss Showgirl's reign heading towards the finish line, Mikaela Tapp has begun reflecting on her "life changing" experience.
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Representing Cloncurry and District Show and winning the Queensland's Miss Showgirl competition in August 2018, Ms Tapp has travelled over 9000 kilometres to mentor showgirls, conduct official openings, put sashes on prize winners and network at Queensland Shows.
Ms Tapp said she had learned so much about the agriculture industry, Queensland Shows and life while enjoying the Miss Showgirl experience.
"I have learnt so much in the past 18 months. Looking back I can see that I have grown so much in such a short amount of time and it's thanks to the Showgirl Program," she said.
"I have loved my time as Miss Showgirl; everyone is so welcoming and lovely in QCAS (Queensland Ag Shows) across the state."
Ms Tapp said there were many highlights from her time as Queensland Miss Showgirl including attending the Brisbane Ekka, travelling to Canada and attending many Queensland Shows.
"The Ekka was a childhood dream come true, such a perfect day," Ms Tapp said.
"Also attending the RASC ( Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth) conference in Edmonton, Canada was fantastic as I was able to meet so many delegates from across the Commonwealth who are directly related to Ag and I was able to learn so much.
"As well as attending a shows across the state. It's amazing to see how every show is different and their ideas for Agricultural Shows."
Ms Tapp said she felt honoured to have represented Cloncurry and District Show Society and the Showgirl Movement.
"To be honest I felt very scared. I had so much support back home I didn't want to let anyone down," she said.
"I knew I had all of Cloncurry supporting and it's such a lovely feeling that, you really only get from small towns like Cloncurry.
"The Showgirl Movement has taught me to be confident in myself and that I really can do anything I set my mind to. It has taught me to never underestimate yourself and that good things happen when you have a go."
Concluding her Queensland Miss Showgirl reign in August, Ms Tapp said she was excited to see fresh faced, young women who were ready to spread the message about the Show and Showgirl movements.
"It is great to see that we are getting young people back into Queensland Shows again, and having more voices to educate and put the spotlight on Ag shows. So I can't wait to meet the finalists this year," she said.
Before passing on the title to the 2019 Queensland Miss Showgirl, Ms Tapp will host the Central and North West Sub-chamber finals in Cloncurry on July 6, where regional Show winners including Cloncurry's Savannah McDonald, will compete for a finalist position in the Queensland Miss Showgirl competition.
Ms Tapp will also travel to Ingham show on July 4-5 and to Cairns on July 17-19 before the Ekka in August.
Beyond Ekka, Ms Tapp said she would return to Cloncurry where she will continue in her local show and look for new opportunities.
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