Morning Tea for Queensland Country Life Showgirl Awards State Finalists and Committee

Chairperson of the Queensland Country Life Showgirl Awards Committee, Ms Paige Caldwell, and committee members; the President and Vice-President of Ag Shows New South Wales, Mrs Jody Nelson-Gleeson and Ms Catriona McAuliffe; the 2026 The Land Young Woman of the Year, Ms Louise Gilmour; the 2025 winner and runner-up of the Queensland Country Life Showgirl Awards, Ms Aleacea Nixon, Ms Carly Jaenke and the 2026 Queensland Country Life Showgirls. 

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and I pay my respects to Elders past and present, and to any First Nations people with us this morning. 

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to Government House for this morning tea, and particularly to welcome the finalists in the 2026 Queensland Country Life Showgirl Awards. 

One of the highlights of the Ekka each year is the opportunity to host this morning tea at the beginning of what will be a busy and rewarding week for you all. You are here because you have already demonstrated initiative, commitment, confidence and a strong connection to your communities. 

I congratulate each of you on reaching this stage of the competition. To be selected as a finalist is a significant achievement, and it reflects not only your own qualities, but also the support of your families, your local show societies, your sub-chambers, and the many people in your communities who have encouraged you along the way. 

The Queensland Country Life Showgirl Awards have, for more than four decades, played an important role in recognising and providing personal and professional development opportunities for young women who are passionate about regional Queensland and the agricultural show movement.  

The program continues to evolve, while remaining true to its purpose: to nurture leadership, communication and personal presentation skills, and to strengthen the connection between the show movement and the communities it serves. 

That is why these awards matter so much. They are not simply about a title. They are about opportunity, confidence, service and advocacy; they help prepare young women to be effective ambassadors for their local show societies, their regions and for Queensland. 

In this large and diverse State, our agricultural show societies are a vital part of social and civic life. They bring communities together, celebrate local achievement, support rural and regional identity, and provide a pathway for young people to participate, to lead and to contribute. 

This week you will have the chance to learn, to meet new people, to share your stories and to represent your regions with pride. I encourage you to make the most of every opportunity, and to enjoy the experience as much as possible. 

Whatever the outcome of the competition, each of you should be proud of what you have already achieved. You are all finalists for a reason, and you are already strong representatives of the values that make regional Queensland so special. 

As Governor of Queensland and Patron of the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland, I warmly congratulate you all, and I thank Queensland Ag Shows, the Queensland Showgirl Awards Committee, and Queensland Country Life for their ongoing support of this important program. 

I wish you every success for the week ahead and for all that lies ahead of you in your lives and careers.