A busy birthday month for my family, my Aunt, Brother and myself all celebrate in August. I am a birthday tragic and love to spoil and be spoilt. Happy Birthday to all those August babies who share our birthday month.

Our team returned to playing netball this month, how exciting to be active and together again with team mates. I coach an under 12 netball team, so it was fabulous to be able to get these girls back together training and playing again.

Lots of work trips kept me on the go this month, but I did find the time to enjoy the beauty of the full moon, there is so much beauty and peace in nature, if we stop and look.

I hope you love this photo as much as I do.

Until next time.
Brittany Hackett
Community Princess 2020 

I found time to catch up on some crafting this month. Something to keep busy and productive is always welcome at this time of year, as we wait for the weather to warm up a bit and we can start to spend more time outdoors.

I also participated in the Thirsty Crow Hot Wings Challenge this month. This business is to be commended for their proactive approach to managing COVID restrictions. They have been live streaming a very individual bingo game each Tuesday, with players joining in from all over Australia. I know many people have looked forward to each week and enjoyed participating in the fun.

Another interesting activity for me this month was 4WD training offered by my employer. I am really enjoying learning and experiencing all that is required of me at work.

We rounded out the month sending Happy Birthday wishes to our Community Princess Britt.
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All My Love
Hannah Smith
Miss Wagga Wagga 2020

Here we are halfway through 2020!

Wagga Wagga Rural Referral Hospital Maternity Ward had a project I could not refuse. They are the recipients of a Community Princess Grant to buy mini fridges for patients’ rooms, to store breastmilk and snacks. What a perfect idea.

Another Community Princess Grant was awarded this month. What wonderful work is done by this very worthy beneficiary. Country Hope will use this grant to provide support to families with children diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Knitting kept me warm and busy this month, it is so good to be able to create with your hands, especially when we are restricted and it has been so cold.

I took my first ever solo car trip this month. Driving from Wagga to Goulburn, Port Macquarie and finally Gladstone, catching up with friends and family on the way. I loved riding the camel on the beach, what a perfect way to spend a few peaceful hours.

A very full month of family, work and Community Princess grants.

Until next time, keep well.
Brittany Hackett
​Community Princess 2020 

A good news story to start my July blog. I was able to donate blood this month, a simple thing that can do so much. I took a look at the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood website and found these statistics. I am happy to roll up my sleeve, and if you are thinking about making a donation, please do so, it is quick and easy, and so valuable.
·       One in three Australians will need blood or blood products in their lifetime
·       One in 30 Australians give blood each year (3%)
·       One blood donation can save up to three lives
·       Australia needs more than 31,000 donations every week

I was honoured to be invited to a Citizenship Ceremony in July.
As I wrote in my Feel Good Friday post, Today is the day that I have been looking forward to for months! This afternoon, I am lucky enough to be attending not one but TWO Citizenship Ceremonies  It is such an honour to be able to represent Wagga Wagga and welcome so many new people into our wonderful community. I will not be able to wipe this smile off my face all day!

My Fiancé and I took some time away and headed to the snow during July. We have committed to spend locally and were happy to be able to give something back to the communities ravaged by fires earlier this year, while having a fun and relaxing break.

My housemates and I really felt the full brunt of COVID19 restrictions this month, with one of us having a test for the virus after not feeling too well. The resulted in a complete lockdown of the household while we waited for results to come in, fortunately all was ok, however it was certainly a wake-up call. We all need to remember, if in doubt head in for a test, then fully isolate the household until given the all clear.

I hope you are all keeping well.
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All My Love
Hannah Smith
Miss Wagga Wagga 2020

Here we are in June already!

Restrictions have been lifted and while I am still working from home, I did get out for a small Feel Good Friday treat this month. I never believed I could be so excited to have my nails done.

I had the very great honour of being invited to join the Wagga Wagga Australia Day Committee this year. Our first meeting was held this month, and I am looking forward to participating and helping to organise our Australia Day celebrations.

Whilst there is not a great deal to share about my activities as Miss Wagga Wagga for this month, I did move house, a change of scenery was welcome even if it did come with all the effort and stress of clearing out the old place and setting up the new, and I am loving our fireplace on these chilly days. I hope you are keeping warm and comfortable, and making the most of the sunny days and slightly eased restrictions.

Until next month, keep warm

All My Love
Hannah Smith
Miss Wagga Wagga 2020

Welcome to the first month of winter.

I have been looking forward to handing over the first of my Community Princess Grants. I chose Ronald McDonald House as my first beneficiary, and was so happy to be able to visit in person, meet Lisa Simpson the Executive Officer, and hand the cheque to her.

Later this month I found myself driving through the snow to the coast for work. It was so beautiful to see the snow, ice and mountains, I had to stop and take some pics.

My beautiful puppy Layla left me this month. Anyone with a pet will understand the devastation of saying goodbye. Thank you to all of my friends and family who reached out and offered love and support during this very sad time.

I hope you are all feeling the warmth from your families at this time and keeping warm during this cold weather.

Keep smiling
Brittany Hackett
​Community Princess 2020 

I am thinking none of us expected this year to be the one it has, May already and we are still working from home, continuing to maintain a social distance and hoping to clear this virus which has become a household name. The 2020 Quest was launched in May last year, and I am looking forward to the launch of the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest 2022, next year.

Some highlights from this month…

I spoke with Marguerite McKinnon on her Friday Morning radio show with 2AAA. What a wonderful Community radio station this is. Marguerite and Alan Lean from 2AAA delivered media training to all Quest Entrants last year, and I am so thankful for their knowledge and guidance; it has certainly helped with my nerves when facing the microphone.

In May we congratulated a local family business on 40 years of service to our community. Dossers Quality Bakery, a longtime supporter of the Quest.

National Volunteer Week was held in May, so much is made possible for so many by the tireless hours given to our community by our valuable volunteers. It is always such a good thing to take the time to thank those who give of themselves for others.

Britt, our Community Princess 2020 and I began our Feel-Good Friday posts on the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest Facebook page in May. Just a simple thing we can do to promote positivity at this most unusual time, and share some of the things we have been doing to help ourselves to feel good. Speaking of Facebook, we were thrilled to see the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest Facebook page had hit 1700 likes, this month.

Making the most of May...

All My Love, 
Hannah Smith
Miss Wagga Wagga 2020

It has been quite the year since the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest launch, 12 months ago.

So much has happened, I have gained and lost so much in this time.

It is so exciting for me that Community Princess Grant applications open this month. I am so looking forward to receiving and reading applications from the community for grants toward small projects from the Community Princess Fund 2020.

It was my honour to post on the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest Facebook page on National Sorry Day, standing together toward reconciliation.

I took a short work trip to Eden on the NSW coast. It was so good to be out and about again, different scenery and that fresh sea air, really cleared my head after such a long time staying home.

With COVID 19 restrictions easing up slightly toward the end of this month. I had the opportunity to visit with my beautiful mum. It was so good to see her after all that has happened this month.

I hope you are doing what you can for yourself and those around you.

Remember to look after yourself Wagga Wagga, hope to see you all, around our beautiful town soon.

Brittany Hackett 
Community Princess 2020