Write out the questions you think you will be asked, and answer them in very short dot points.
Record/video yourself practising speeches. Listen to what you are saying, think about if it makes sense. Also note any bad habits you might have when talking - fidgeting, "ums" and "ahs", et cetera. If you are nervous, use that nervous energy to project your voice to people - wherever you look, that is where you are talking to, so try not to look down. Focus on the back of the room - where your gaze is directed, your voice will be, too. Ask yourself questions out loud, and answer them. I did this in the car all the time. Posture is a big give away if you are nervous. Always try to stand tall, you will appear confident - even if that is the last thing you feel like being! Posture will also help you speak clearly. |
KNOW your Form B BACKWARDS!
Stay up to date with the Land newspaper - scrap booking helps with bigger issues that have gone on for years, such as mining and the MDBP. The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian and other such newspapers are also good resources. Different newspapers present the same news in different ways, so keep an eye on this as well. List both the positive and negative sides to a question - tell both sides of the story. Tell short stories about current affairs and back up points with figures and political personalities. |
Pictured: 2012 Queensland Country Life Showgirl Jessica Robinson
Source: Queensland Country Life
What do judges look for? A big one is approachability:
"She's magnetic - she could walk through a country show and people of all ages would flock to her, they'd want to talk to her and just be around her. Jessica is the whole package"
- Kim Toryna, 2012 Queensland Country Life showgirl judge
"Where can I go to find the information?"
Here are a few websites that I found useful for my showgirl study.
Open Australia is a great one - I stumbled on it by chance. It allows you to research your state and federal members (as well as every other politician in Australia...) and see what they have been advocating and arguing for on your behalf, in parliament - without all the media hype. It is basically a record of transcripts, and anyone speaking out of turn is struck from the record.
Open Australia is a great one - I stumbled on it by chance. It allows you to research your state and federal members (as well as every other politician in Australia...) and see what they have been advocating and arguing for on your behalf, in parliament - without all the media hype. It is basically a record of transcripts, and anyone speaking out of turn is struck from the record.
NSW Country Hour - for all your country issues! 12pm weekdays on ABC radio. This is usually biased towards farmers, so make sure you have the other side of the story in your opinion
The ABC's fact check. Do not reply on statistics spouted by politicians - these are not always accurate. The Fact Check uses sources such as ABS to check out if what the politicians and media are telling us is true. NEVER believe anything just because it was on the news, unless it was from a reliable source. Another reason to get both sides of the story.
This is a website linked to a company called 'Happening People'. There is a development day at Sydney Royal Easter Show that they give, where they explain concepts, and work on management, leadership and interpersonal skills. This website, portraying the Top 5, gives you hints on everything from a job interview, to mentoring, to public speaking. Not all of it can be applied to the showgirl competition, but it can all be applied to your job.
Another good one at times is the radio show Hack, on triple j. They try and deal with issues facing young Australians, and have political guest speakers or debates from time to time. Definitely worth a look.