Kiama Showgirl Besties

One of the many benefits of being a Kiama Showgirl is forging life-long friendships, as former Showgirls Melissa Tierney and Kathryn "Katy" Cullen will tell you.

Katy, the 2013 showgirl, met Melissa - the 2014 Showgirl - when she was that year’s Showgirl co-ordinator.

The two became firm friends and Katy asked Melissa to be her bridesmaid when Katy married her partner Matthew Bowden on her parents’ Berry dairy farm in 2015.

On October 7, Melissa returned the favour when Katy was her bridesmaid as she married her partner Jack Hurley at Ss Peter and Paul’s, Kiama.

Since their respective Showgirl experiences, Katy and Melissa have gone from strength to strength professionally as well as personally.

Melissa works for the Disability Trust and with its inspirational performance group, the Music Makers. Katy teaches textiles and food technology at Warilla High school. Katy also went on to help her brothers and parents at International Dairy Week and local cattle shows.

Their friendship aside, Katy and Melissa could not speak more highly of the Showgirl experience and the life skills it gave them.

“The showgirl competition enhanced my confidence,’’ Katy said. “I would recommend it for youth in today's society, if anything to build life-long friends and confidence for their future careers.’’

The Kiama Show Society is now accepting applications for next year’s Kiama Showgirl for its landmark 170th Show.

Since its inception, the Kiama Showgirl competition has been an integral part of the Kiama Show, discovering accomplished ambassadors, who are passionate about the area.

The 170th annual Kiama Show takes place on Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27, 2017.

This year’s Show Ball with a difference is on Saturday, November 18 at the Kiama Leisure Centre. The fun BYO night features Kiama DJ Brendon Comber, top class party band the Record Breakers and hilarious MC Kiki Bittovabitsch.

Tickets are $40 per person. BYO basket supper, or order a platter from What a Tart. Tickets and platters, at www.kiamashow.com.au

For more information about being a Showgirl contestant email Fiona Wilkinson on showgirl@kiamashow.com.au.