Rural
13 November, 2025
Kilcoy duo crowned district’s best ambassadors
Two Kilcoy women are carrying on a proud local legacy, with Hannah and Millie Retschlag representing their community with distinction at the 2025 Near North Coast Sub Chamber Showgirl and Rural Ambassador Awards.
By Marina Gomide
Two Kilcoy women are carrying on a proud local legacy, with Hannah and Millie Retschlag representing their community with distinction at the 2025 Near North Coast Sub Chamber Showgirl and Rural Ambassador Awards.
Hannah and Millie took home top honours in their respective categories of Rural Ambassador and Showgirl, being the first showgirl program the Kilcoy Show Society has run in over five years.
Held at the Kilcoy Memorial Hall on November 8, Hannah was crowned the district’s Senior Rural Ambassador, while Millie was named Runner-Up Senior Showgirl, with Gympie Show Society’s Grace Hankinson taking first place.
The event, hosted by the Kilcoy Show Society this year, brought together entrants from across the Near North Coast region, including Gympie, Fraser Coast, Maleny and Sunshine Coast, celebrating the next generation of young leaders in the agricultural show industry.
Hannah, 25, is a fifth-generation farmer at Lawn Park in Sandy Creek, where her family has lived since 1907.
After her family transitioned from dairy to beef production in 2016, she has continued to live and work on the property while pursuing a career in social work at Caboolture Hospital.
Deeply passionate about rural wellbeing, Hannah said she hoped to shine a light on the mental health challenges faced by those in agriculture.
“I’m always honoured to represent Kilcoy whenever I compete at shows across Qld and NSW. Earlier this year, I competed at both the Australian and QLD State titles, and I’m proud to say that I brought home a QLD Title,” she said in her written statement.
“I am excited to embrace the opportunity to be part of the Rural Ambassador program as a way to highlight the importance of the agricultural industry in society and to try and shine a light on the issues the industry faces.”
Her crowning as Senior Rural Ambassador will see her advance to the state finals at the Royal Queensland Show in August 2026.
For Millie, 19, the showgirl competition was about more than sashes and smiles.
Aged care worker and third-generation woodchopper, she said she entered to help modernise and revitalise a long-standing tradition.
“The showgirl program is about more than appearances; it celebrates the contributions of rural women, builds community pride, and helps young women develop essential skills in leadership, public speaking, and networking,” Millie said in her written statement.
“After reflecting on over a decade of involvement in agricultural shows, one thing became very clear: we are slowly losing the traditions that once defined our shows and communities.
“A clear example is that Kilcoy has been unable to run a Showgirl program for the past six years.
“Many young women view showgirl competitions as outdated or misaligned with modern values of gender equality and inclusivity.
“However, I believe the tradition still holds great value—when thoughtfully modernised.”
The Kilcoy Show Society thanked all who made the event possible, including Elaine Williams for chaperoning the entrants, the judges for their time and dedication, and official photographer Kira Taylor.
