August started with the RAN (Royal Australian Navy) Sunset Ceremonial Service, recommissioning the flagstaff in the Victory Memorial Garden and Mayoral Reception. It was such a privilege to witness a beautiful ceremony, filled with tradition, Navy band music, and blank shots and a moment to reflect on the lives lost for our freedom.
It was also a pleasure to attend the Mayoress’ fundraising concert, Supernova for Wagga’s Carevan Projects. A combination of all Wagga secondary school talents, including those currently incarcerated. The talent in this city is incredible, from musical instruments to dancing, from singing to rap. Everything from old school rock, to hits from The Greatest Showman. What a night. Congratulations to Mrs Jenny Conkey for pulling together such a great event.
A busy month of August with our preparations for our travel to Germany continued with it just around the corner. I, Presslea was privileged to present my first Community Princess Foundation cheque to Goodstart Estella, who will be using the money to build a fruit and veggie garden for the families of Estella to utilise. I am excited to present my second cheque upon return from Germany! I still have 2 further cheques I can present, so please visit the Miss Wagga Wagga webpage for further information and the application process (It’s very simple).
We attended the 2020 entrants second event of the year, ‘An afternoon in lace; High Tea’. It was a fantastic afternoon with delicious food and a great variety of tea. I, Presslea, was able to bring my mum to this event while she was visiting which was so exciting. We enjoyed listening to the amazing music by Tom & Harry and speakers from Wagga Women in Business and Richmond Football Club whilst catching up with many friends during the afternoon, my mum even walked away with a silent auction item! As both Presslea and I, Stina, hosted this very event last year at the Riverine Club as entrants, there were a lot of memories that flooded back to us. It was also such a delight to meet with some of the entrants of 2019 who also attended the afternoon. The entrants of 2020 should be very proud of their efforts!
As the month quickly came to an end, I, Presslea, began packing my bags for my trip away. Stina and I said our final good-byes before heading overseas at Wagga's new sister city signs that can be found at the front of the Wagga Visitors Centre, where we got a quick photo and spoke to Daina from the Daily Advertiser about our trip.
Mid-August I, Stina, was invited to breakfast with the early birds of Sunrise Rotary Club before speaking with them about my personal journey and the Miss Wagga Quest. They were so full of energy and enthusiasm; it really showcased not only the passion but also the generosity that the people of our city value. On the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Vietnam Veterans Day, I was also able to attend the August Citizenship Ceremony alongside Mayor Greg Conkey, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr and Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel Shayne Neuman, in welcoming new citizens from across the seas. Pedme Phua, known in our community as a budding K-Pop artist, along side her family was among our new Citizens.
The month continued with being invited on to Triple M to chat with Leigh and meet his new co-host Poppy, whilst Dan is on maternity leave. It was a pleasure chatting all things the Quest and Nördlingen. We also noticed Visit Wagga are starting to use some of the photos from the photoshoot we did with them a couple of months ago showcasing what Wagga has on offer and we’re thrilled they were able to get the shots they were after. On my way to purchase my annual Daffodil Day flowers, I was able to speak with Maddie Smith, Community Princess 2018, who is still very much actively involved in our community and was helping out Cancer Council at a stall. Once a Community Princess, always a Community Princess.
The last week of the month has been intense getting ready to depart for Nördlingen, everything from picking up tickets to picking up trinkets; from organising my suitcase to booking appointments in October, ready to roll upon my return. I also had the absolute privilege of returning to the very first primary school I attended when we first arrived in Australia, Wagga Wagga Public School. In the very place that I was taught what an assembly, a tuckshop and eucalyptus lollies were; how to tie a tie, bowl a cricket ball and sing the national anthem; I was able to share my personal journey as well as run a ‘How to do Public Speaking’ interactive talk with some 315 students. A huge thank you to Ella Farquar for suggesting me to the SRC and the staff at Wagga Public especially Nada Pakoney for inviting me along.
My final duty for the month was participating in a project on the potential of the Special Activation Precinct with Oona Nielssen from The Department of Planning Industry and Environment, Sydney, Adam Drummond and the team including Damien from Next in line Films, Cameron and Photographer Denise Yates from Grenfell. It was a pleasure working with you all in the Island and Bamboo Garden, at the Botanic Gardens. The gazebo with the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest plaque was only metres away from us, and seeing it reminded me just how privileged it is to be in this role with over 70 women having walked in these steps before me.
So here we are. We’ve brushed up on our German, our automated messages are now set, and we’re so ready to embrace everything Germany has to offer us. We hope to do Wagga proud. Thank you to the people of this City who have helped us to learn, be as immersed in the community as possible, allowing us the best chance of representing our City in Nördlingen.
Tchuss!
Love from MWW & CP,
AKA your local Queen & Princess