Wee Waa Show Society’s Young Woman competition steward Nikita Hessel has congratulated the six young local women who stepped out of their comfort zones and put their hands up to be 2024 entrants.
“They all did a really good job and presented well,” said Nikita.
“And they each brought their own individual talents, which was great – you don’t want them to all be the same, they’re not robots.”
This year’s senior entrants are Emily Smolders, Dakota Welsh and Jessica Hanslow.
And junior entrants are Cassidy Welsh, Emily Hartnett and Matilda Currey.
The entrants were interviewed on Saturday by judges Merre Watts, Lizzy Weber and Samantha Coppin.
The competition process continued on Saturday afternoon, with a question and answer session held in front of a small and supportive crowd at the picture perfect House on Rose gardens.
“It was a really nice atmosphere,” said Nikita, who asked the entrants about a range of topics, from local issues to the Paris Olympics.
A focus when discussing local matters was the need for improvement when it comes to accessible mental health and education services.
“They all did very well and spoke confidently,” said Nikita.
“They should all feel very proud.
“I know it took a lot for some of the girls to enter but it really is good experience, especially the interview process because that helps with preparing for things like job interviews.
“And that’s why I would encourage young women to continue to enter this competition in future years because it does help equip you with future skills for life.
“The interview experience is important.”
Nikita’s strong sense of community spirit and drive to provide for future generations of Wee Waarians are what inspired her to take on the steward role at short notice.
And she has been praised for doing a terrific job.
“I’m looking forward to the Wee Waa show, it’s going to be good,” said Nikita.
“The show needs young people volunteering and it’s important, so our kids have something down the track too.”
The 2024 Senior and Junior Young Woman competition winners will be announced at the official opening of the Wee Waa Show on Friday, August 16.
Of course, not everyone can be a winner, but the six entrants have already advocated for Wee Waa by participating and contributing to the show’s success.
The young country advocates are involved in different local organisations, from the pony club to netball and the Wee Waa Panthers.
Emily Smolders said she entered the Young Woman competition because she wanted to ‘step out of my comfort zone and involve myself more in the community’.
The early childhood educator said her ambition was to be an advocate for young adults living in small communities who struggle with mental health, and she hoped to help others feel ‘more comfortable and confident with themselves’.
Emily’s goal is to continue to teach young children and ‘be the best example I can be’.
Dakota Welsh also said she saw the competition as ‘an opportunity to get out of my comfort zone’ and the chance to meet new people and gain new skills.
The Year 12 Wee Waa High School student said her ambition was to study equine health and complete an equine dentistry course, so she could offer her skills and a service to Wee Waa.
Jessica Hanslow said she entered the Young Woman competition because she thought it would be a great experience. She currently works at a café and hopes to run her own restaurant one day and make it a welcoming and affordable venue.
Boosting her confidence and trying something new are the main reasons Year 10 Wee Waa High School student Cassidy Welsh decided to enter. Cassidy’s ambitions include finishing Year 12 and then taking a GAP year working as a ringer on a cattle station in the Northern Territory.
Cassidy then hopes to study medicine at university and return to Wee Waa as a doctor to give back to her hometown.
Emily Hartnett said she hoped the competition would help her gain more self-confidence, viewing it as a great opportunity to improve her public speaking skills.
“I have also entered for the experience and to connect with new people,” Emily said.
The Year 12 Wee Waa High School student said her goals for the future included completing a Bachelor of Nursing at university and continuing to further her sporting interests.
Matilda Currey put her hand up as one of the junior entrants, seizing the chance to be involved in a Wee Waa community event and to ‘show what a young girl growing up on a farm in a rural area can achieve and aspire to’.
The Year 11 Wee Waa High School student hopes to study veterinary science at university, focusing on large animals such as horses and cattle, with the aim of returning to live, work and contribute to Wee Waa.
Wee Waa Show president Gary Hibbens, Young Woman competition steward Nikita Hessel with judges Merre Matts, Lizzy Weber and Samantha Coppin.
