I am Poppy, another Entrant in the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest 2024. In this blog post I’d like to give you the rundown on all of the amazing activities the Entrants have been up to over the past month.
July feels like the most jam-packed but rewarding month of the Quest adventure so far. After many months of planning, meetings and preparation not only did we Entrants host our first fundraising event, but we also had the opportunity to really cultivate our public speaking skills across many different mediums. We continued preparations for upcoming events in early August such as the Bunnings Barbecue, and to top it all off - enjoyed a dash of self-care sprinkled in. It was an action packed month to say the least!
Firstly I want to congratulate all the Entrants on our first fundraising event - our Christmas in July themed Trivia Night. As our first event there were a lot of nitty gritty details to address for the first time so it was definitely a stretch for all of us. We learnt that before an event it’s essential to practice a run-through and dedicate time for setting up and of course packing down on the night. All of these components are extra bits and pieces that are essential to bringing an event to life.
The Entrants are so incredibly proud that we had over 200 guests at this event, and were so pleased with the funds raised on the night. It was the first time since Launch we all got together, dressed up and had the opportunity to speak on the microphone in front of a couple hundred people. This was an experience I know for most of us is something we never imagined we would do. All of the ladies played their part perfectly to bring this first event to life.
Although I was unable to attend, the rest of the Entrants were photographed and interviewed with a few quotes to be given to the Daily Advertiser. An article was published highlighting the role of Entrants in the Quest. Being interviewed for the paper was something that many of the Entrants have never done, and all naturally excelled in of course.
In addition to Trivia Night and interviews for the Daily Advertiser, the Entrants were also invited to speak on radio. 2AAA broadcasts a Saturday night show hosted by Alan Lean which for the last few weeks has featured two Entrants at a time as guest speakers. I participated with my fellow entrant Jessica Cousley, and it was a little bit daunting, but we did really well to make sure that we stuck to our purpose and message. Above all, we had a little bit of fun with it given the casual setting with Alan. Both my own and Jess’ families were listening and even made a few song suggestions. It was so fun giving a shout out to my loved ones at home.
Triple MMM Riverina also gave Entrants an incredible opportunity to speak live on radio. I got to speak on the morning breakfast show with Jamie and Leigh who asked questions such as why I joined the Quest, a little bit about who I am and an opportunity to share with the community our upcoming events and thank our sponsors. Talking on radio has been so fruitful for all of us, and with every event and every little project like the interviews for Daily Advertiser and talking on radio has helped to develop each of our voices. Each Entrant is really starting to flourish with confidence as we become the successful, articulate women that we all truly are inside.
Amongst all of these amazing activities, one Saturday morning was spent with Katrina Dorward at her stunning Karma Garden Yoga Studio in Lake Albert. It was really nice to have a chance to do something totally peaceful and relaxed with the Entrants and Committee together. It’s what we all really needed after our amazing (but very late night!) hosting Trivia. We are all really looking forward to the Long Lunch coming up on 26 August. After the success of Trivia Night, hosting the Long Lunch feels a little bit less daunting. We’ve done it before, so we know we’re capable. We know how to get the job done and I’m really excited to see our second event come to life.
Entrants Jessica C, Caitlin, Salwa and myself also had the privilege of visiting one of our Beneficiaries, Ronald McDonald House Wagga Wagga. It was so inspiring to see firsthand one of the places that benefit from all the hard work we put in this year. Lisa, the Director of Ronald McDonald House Wagga Wagga, gave us a tour of their facility and we even got to meet some of the children who are currently staying at the house. She gave us a breakdown of how the organisation works and where their funding comes from, and really helped us to recognise how much they appreciate and require our support. This trip really made all the things we are doing feel extra worthwhile.
A special thank you to Amanda from Simp-Lee Yoga and Massage Studio for her support of my Quest journey. Entrant Sponsors enable women to experience all the Quest has to offer.
Last of all, I want to acknowledge that support from the Committee has been integral in helping me during times that I have felt really stretched in positive ways. Indeed, the Quest pushes your boundaries in a healthy way to show you that you can do so much more than you ever dreamed you were capable of. I’ve grown and learnt so much just in the seven months that the Quest has been unfolding and it is an experience I’m so grateful to have had the privilege to be a part of.
July feels like the most jam-packed but rewarding month of the Quest adventure so far. After many months of planning, meetings and preparation not only did we Entrants host our first fundraising event, but we also had the opportunity to really cultivate our public speaking skills across many different mediums. We continued preparations for upcoming events in early August such as the Bunnings Barbecue, and to top it all off - enjoyed a dash of self-care sprinkled in. It was an action packed month to say the least!
Firstly I want to congratulate all the Entrants on our first fundraising event - our Christmas in July themed Trivia Night. As our first event there were a lot of nitty gritty details to address for the first time so it was definitely a stretch for all of us. We learnt that before an event it’s essential to practice a run-through and dedicate time for setting up and of course packing down on the night. All of these components are extra bits and pieces that are essential to bringing an event to life.
The Entrants are so incredibly proud that we had over 200 guests at this event, and were so pleased with the funds raised on the night. It was the first time since Launch we all got together, dressed up and had the opportunity to speak on the microphone in front of a couple hundred people. This was an experience I know for most of us is something we never imagined we would do. All of the ladies played their part perfectly to bring this first event to life.
Although I was unable to attend, the rest of the Entrants were photographed and interviewed with a few quotes to be given to the Daily Advertiser. An article was published highlighting the role of Entrants in the Quest. Being interviewed for the paper was something that many of the Entrants have never done, and all naturally excelled in of course.
In addition to Trivia Night and interviews for the Daily Advertiser, the Entrants were also invited to speak on radio. 2AAA broadcasts a Saturday night show hosted by Alan Lean which for the last few weeks has featured two Entrants at a time as guest speakers. I participated with my fellow entrant Jessica Cousley, and it was a little bit daunting, but we did really well to make sure that we stuck to our purpose and message. Above all, we had a little bit of fun with it given the casual setting with Alan. Both my own and Jess’ families were listening and even made a few song suggestions. It was so fun giving a shout out to my loved ones at home.
Triple MMM Riverina also gave Entrants an incredible opportunity to speak live on radio. I got to speak on the morning breakfast show with Jamie and Leigh who asked questions such as why I joined the Quest, a little bit about who I am and an opportunity to share with the community our upcoming events and thank our sponsors. Talking on radio has been so fruitful for all of us, and with every event and every little project like the interviews for Daily Advertiser and talking on radio has helped to develop each of our voices. Each Entrant is really starting to flourish with confidence as we become the successful, articulate women that we all truly are inside.
Amongst all of these amazing activities, one Saturday morning was spent with Katrina Dorward at her stunning Karma Garden Yoga Studio in Lake Albert. It was really nice to have a chance to do something totally peaceful and relaxed with the Entrants and Committee together. It’s what we all really needed after our amazing (but very late night!) hosting Trivia. We are all really looking forward to the Long Lunch coming up on 26 August. After the success of Trivia Night, hosting the Long Lunch feels a little bit less daunting. We’ve done it before, so we know we’re capable. We know how to get the job done and I’m really excited to see our second event come to life.
Entrants Jessica C, Caitlin, Salwa and myself also had the privilege of visiting one of our Beneficiaries, Ronald McDonald House Wagga Wagga. It was so inspiring to see firsthand one of the places that benefit from all the hard work we put in this year. Lisa, the Director of Ronald McDonald House Wagga Wagga, gave us a tour of their facility and we even got to meet some of the children who are currently staying at the house. She gave us a breakdown of how the organisation works and where their funding comes from, and really helped us to recognise how much they appreciate and require our support. This trip really made all the things we are doing feel extra worthwhile.
A special thank you to Amanda from Simp-Lee Yoga and Massage Studio for her support of my Quest journey. Entrant Sponsors enable women to experience all the Quest has to offer.
Last of all, I want to acknowledge that support from the Committee has been integral in helping me during times that I have felt really stretched in positive ways. Indeed, the Quest pushes your boundaries in a healthy way to show you that you can do so much more than you ever dreamed you were capable of. I’ve grown and learnt so much just in the seven months that the Quest has been unfolding and it is an experience I’m so grateful to have had the privilege to be a part of.
RSS Feed