A campdraft-loving civil engineer from the South Burnett has been honoured to be the 2025 Queensland Country Life Showgirl runner-up.
Carly Jaenke was the South Burnett Sub-Chamber and Nanango Show Society representative at the showgirl state finals held at the Royal Queensland Show from 5 to 10 August.
Mrs Jaenke was in “complete shock” when her name was read out at the awards night on Friday, 8 August.
“I genuinely was shocked, the other girls were absolutely incredible,” she said, adding, “I definitely wasn’t expecting it.”
The Queensland Country Life Showgirl winner for 2025 was South West sub-chamber’s Aleacea Nixon from Roma Show Society.
On 6 August, the showgirl finalists had the honour of visiting Government House where they were presented their state finalist sashes by the Queensland Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM.
They also got a tour of Parliament House, and shared lunch with the speaker and other MPs.
Overall, Mrs Jaenke said, it was amazing being part of the behind the scenes at the Ekka, including participating in the grand parade and joining the RNA council for a meal.
“It’s such an amazing atmosphere,” she said.
“When you’re there as part of the program, you get a bit of an insider, backstage experience into the workings of the Ekka… it’s a pretty cool experience.”
The showgirls participated in various personal development workshops which covered vocal training, public speaking, and etiquette training over the week.
A highlight of the Ekka showgirl experience for Mrs Jaenke was interacting with the guest speakers including Lisa Hewitt, Elders’ State General Member for Queensland and Northern Territory, and Nanango MP Deb Frecklington who shared about her journey from a showgirl to a career in law and politics.
However it was the breakfast session with the AgForce team that had a lasting impact for Mrs Jaenke.
“My biggest takeaway is how important it is to promote the good things about agriculture,” she said.
“There are obviously lots of hardships in agriculture, it’s a difficult industry, but there are genuinely parts of the lifestyle [that farmers enjoy].”
Part of this promoting the “good things”, Mrs Jaenke explained, extends to welcoming city dwellers, or those who did not grow up on the land, who love the agricultural industry.
“We need to talk about the good things and the lifestyle it gives,” she said.
“It’s the most amazing job in the world… We need to focus on the good, if we want the next generation to take it up.”
Mrs Jaenke now works as a civil and project engineer in Brisbane, overseeing pavements and road projects.
However, she grew up on a Manumbar family farm, lending a hand with the beef cattle and horses.
“Farming has been our form of income growing up, but I always saw it… as the best fun,” she said, reflecting on school holidays spent mustering cattle, branding and fixing fences.
Mrs Jaenke’s grandfather was part of the first Manumbar Campdraft committee, and won the first open campdraft. The campdraft holds a memorial event in his name to this day.
“I’m completely campdraft mad, horse mad, and my family has been very dedicated to the development of the Manumbar Campdraft over the years,” she shared during her showgirl interview.
Over the years she has been part of the campdraft committee and has most recently stepped into the nomination secretary role.
“I’m absolutely so passionate about that campdraft, we’ve brought it from a one day event to a three day event over the years,” she said.
“I’m so passionate about growing our campdraft, but also staying close to our roots -which is to provide a family friendly and affordable campdraft for our local community.”
The Queensland showgirl runner-up reflected on how crucial show societies and campdrafts are.
“The close-knit nature of regional communities is really important, the local show and campdraft -it’s so important to the social aspect… to bring people together,” she said.
While donning her Queensland runner-up sash, Mrs Jaenke is looking forward to being a passionate advocate for the showgirl program at South Burnett shows and beyond.
“Give it a go, it’s so worthwhile,” she said.
“It’s an extremely good program that you’ll get a lot out of.”
She will expects to return to her home show society full of ideas.
“I’ll be bringing all things I’ve learnt at Ekka and getting to experience at other shows and bring it back to Nanango and see how we can learn from them,” she said.
