The 22-year-old was inspired to enter the 2018 showgirl competition to honour the memory of her late grandfather Bernie Keitlinghaus, who was a life member of Moree Show Society.

READ MORE:

Mr Keitlinghaus sadly passed away two weeks before last year’s show, however his memory will live on at the show for years to come as one of the new stable blocks was dedicated to him at last year’s official opening.

He was also named 2017 Committee Person of the Year.

Bronte was there with her family to receive the award in Bernie’s honour last year and said this was the catalyst that prompted her to move back to Moree and ultimately enter this year’s showgirl competition.

“I was still in a crossroads at the time - I was living in Brisbane and trying to decide whether I should stay in Brisbane or move back to Moree … something clicked during the show last year,” she said.

“The main reason I entered the competition was to honour my grandfather’s legacy as patron and president of the show. He gave back to the community and I wanted to take the opportunity to continue his legacy.

“I’ve been away from Moree for some time, so entering the showgirl competition was a great chance for me to come back and immerse myself in the community.”

Although not expecting to win the showgirl competition, having not grown up on a farm, Bronte has a keen interest in local, state and federal politics and believes the title will give her the opportunity to be a positive role model for young, rural women.

”I believe this opportunity will enable to me to not only extend my knowledge on the agricultural issues our rural area faces but will also enable me to voice those matters and express my opinion to the wider community,” she said.

“It will give me the opportunity to showcase some of the great things about Moree. It’s also a great opportunity for personal and professional growth.

“I’m very honoured.”

Bronte grew up in Moree and attended St Philomena’s School from 2001 to 2006 before going to boarding school at Toowoomba Preparatory School in 2007 and St Hilda’s School Southport in 2009.

She went on to study a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Queensland, however deferred that course to manage a retail store in Brisbane before returning to Moree where she took on the role as executive assistant at Moree District Health Service with Hunter New England Health.

Bronte is passionate about mental health and education and eventually hopes to obtain a Masters degree in Primary Education.

In her role as 2018 Moree Showgirl, Bronte hopes to use her platform to advocate mental health and education issues, as well as inspire more young people to become involved in the show.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet different people, an opportunity to represent Moree, be an ambassador for the town and allow me to do more research on areas that I’m passionate about,” she said.

“The lack of interest in the show among the younger generation is a concern, so I want to drive more young people to get involved.”

During her acceptance speech on Saturday afternoon, Bronte thanked the sponsors, Moree Show Society, her family and friends, showgirl coordinator Jane Rohde and outgoing showgirl Kate Lumber, who she said is “an incredible role model”.

Bronte also congratulated 2018 Moree Showgirl runner-up Mekayla Maher and Miss Personality Daniella Stewart.

Throughout the two days of the show, the three showgirl entrants had a number of duties including sashing horses, judging the junior showgirl competition and pet show, handing out prizes at the Dock Dogs finals, selling tickets for the rodeo, and meeting and greeting show-goers. They also participated in the Aggies Tug of War and Farmers’ Challenge on Saturday night.

They also led the grand parade following the official opening.

Bronte will go on to represent Moree in the Zone 4 Showgirl final, to be held in Narrabri in February 2019, where she will compete for a chance to progress to the state final at next year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.