Four vie for showgirl title

MELISSA MICHIE

news@kiamaindependent.com.au

FOUR young women are taking the opportunity to learn more about Kiama, improve their rural knowledge and interpersonal skills by taking part in the 2010 Kiama Showgirl Competition.

Ashleigh Callus, Kayla Cram, Jacqui Koerner and Lyndal Wilson have all entered the competition and nominations are open until the end of December.

Each is looking forward to the experience the competition brings and learning more about their community. The competition is the local stage of The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition to find a young woman to act as an ambassador for Kiama and rural NSW.

Lyndal Wilson, 23, is from Minnamurra and is studying communications and media at the University of Wollongong. She thinks more people should take part in the competition.

“You never know what opportunities will come from this experience,” she said. “I hope to have fun and meet new people.”

Kayla Cram, 19, decided to take part because her cousin took part last year and said it was a fantastic experience.

Miss Cram and her best friend, Ashleigh Callus, are taking part in the competition. Miss Cram works in Kiama as a pre-school teacher.

“I’m looking forward to learning more about Kiama,” she said.

Jacqui Koerner, 21, is from Kiama Downs and is studying primary school teaching at the University of Wollongong and works part-time in Shellharbour.

Several of her friends have taken part in the competition previously and said it was a lot of fun, so she decided to sign up.

“I haven’t done anything like this before,” she said.

Miss Koerner has fond memories of attending the show as a young girl.

The entrants are judged on criteria that include personality, presentation, speech and knowledge of community, rural and current affairs.

The Kiama showgirl winner receives $1000 in prize money, which has been donated by Kiama Scenic Tours.

The 162nd Kiama Show is on January 29-30. For more details about the competition log on to www.kiamashow.com.au.