Meet the girls who are part of the Gunnedah Showgirl competition in 2015.
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Senior Showgirl
Aisling Sweeney
TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD Aisling Sweeney is a legal assistant and receptionist at Walker Beer Solicitors and Conveyancers.
Aisling completed her education at St Mary’s College and went on to study a Certificate 3 in Business and a Certificate 5 in Legal Services.
Aisling’s interests include helping on the farm, drawing costumes and creating costume wear, as well as fixing and restoring vintage cars.
She enjoys playing sports including oz tag, tennis, dancing, boxing and in particular netball, which she has played since she was nine years old. Aisling represented St Xavier’s and St Mary’s College in the Combined Catholic School’s Competition for many years.
Aisling has volunteered for Legacy Day in 2010 and 2011 through St Mary’s College.
She also entered the local Waste2Art competition in 2009, taking home a highly commended, and again in 2012 where she won her division and moved on to regional selections, where she placed runner-up.
Aisling’s goals include walking the Kokoda Trail with her dad in the next two years and continuing her work at Walker Beer Solicitors and Conveyancers while studying primary education at the University of New England, starting in June this year.
Aisling entered the showgirl competition to gain more confidence and to meet new people.
Miranda Broekman
TWENTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD Miranda Broekman, of Gunnedah, works as an electorate officer at the Tamworth Electorate Office of Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce.
Miranda completed her education at St Xavier’s Primary School and St Mary’s College. She was the sports captain in Year 11 and school captain in Year 12.
Miranda is passionate about politics. She met former prime minister John Howard at Ag Quip when she was 12 which sparked her interest. Miranda has been involved with campaigning for The National Party since she was 15 and officially joined when she turned 18 in 2011, volunteering for four campaigns since then.
Most recently, in the 2013 federal election she worked as Barnaby Joyce’s campaign officer and volunteered for Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson at last month’s election campaign.
Miranda participated in the PCYC Lock Up Challenge in 2013 and raised $1000 for the cause. In 2013, she was also elected by the New England Electorate Council to be their representative at the NSW Nationals Women’s Council.
Miranda is the Young Nationals co-ordinator for the North West and said she takes her roles very seriously and enjoys trying to make a difference for her community.
Her short term goals are to help Barnaby Joyce get re-elected in the next federal election, buy a house and travel and her long term goal includes running for local government, hopefully representing Gunnedah.
Miranda entered the showgirl competition because she “really enjoyed” her experience as junior showgirl in 2010.
“I believe the competition offers a unique opportunity to practice interviewing skills, public speaking and is a great way to meet new people,” she said.
“I enjoy a challenge and like pushing myself out of my comfort zone.
“I am passionate about rural issues and feel I could be a great ambassador for Gunnedah.”
Junior Showgirl
Alice Martin
FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD Alice Martin, of Mullaley, is a Year 10 student at St Mary’s College.
She is the daughter of Xaiver and Heather Martin and attended Mullaley Public School for her primary education.
She is interested in cooking, sewing and textiles, drama, fitness and health, and reading.
Alice played netball in the Gunnedah competition from 2008-2014 and served at the altar for Mullaley Catholic Church and Stuartholme.
She was an SRC member in Year 9 at St Mary’s College and a member of the Gunnedah Gymnastics Club from 2012-2013.
Alice hopes to go to university and travel overseas, before returning to a rural area to work and live.
She entered the showgirl competition to meet new people and step out of her comfort zone.
Alice said she loves Gunnedah and is proud to support the show.
Alison Gosper
SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Alison Gosper is a student at Carinya Christian School.
Alison is the daughter of Barry and Julie Gosper, of Gunnedah, and is interested in sport, helping on the family farm, cattle leading, friends and reading.
She is a volunteer with the Gunnedah Physie Club helping with classes and fund-raising events, plays the violin in the Gunnedah Anglican Church band, organises the church kids club and attends cattle showing competitions.
Alison hopes to learn more about farming procedures, improve her cattle showing and continue to learn Japanese for the future.
She entered the showgirl competition on feedback from former junior showgirl entrant Darcy McCleneghan and said the experience will benefit her in the future and to extend her knowledge on Gunnedah.
Ashlee van Os
FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD Ashlee van Os, of Gunnedah, is a Year 11 student at St Mary’s College.
Ashlee is the daughter of Chris and Dianne van Os and is interested in horse riding, cattle handling, cattle parading, cricket, softball and singing.
She was named the 2012 Junior Sportsperson of the Year and sings regularly at mass, charity events and Anzac ceremonies, volunteers for Riding for Disabled and pony club, and is a committee member of the Namoi Horse Association. Ashlee hopes to one day play softball or cricket for Australia and work closely with animals. She entered the showgirl competition to be a part of a great Gunnedah tradition.
Allison Clark
SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Allison Clark, of Gunnedah, is a Year 11 student at St Mary’s College.
Allison is the daughter of Kellee and Michael Clark and is interested in art and photography, fitness and spending time with her family.
She has been a part of a St Vincent de Paul group through school and regularly volunteers for Clean Up Australia Day.
Allison hopes to study law or nursing after her HSC and wants to settle in Gunnedah eventually.
She entered the showgirl competition because it is a “wonderful opportunity” and a great way to represent her home town and the community.
Kate O'Donnell
SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD Kate O’Donnell, of Gunnedah, is a Year 11 student at St Mary’s College.
Kate is the daughter of Paul and Dominique O’Donnell and is interested in Central North Rugby, St Mary’s rugby, Gunnedah rep touch football, soccer, horse riding, cattle handling and judging and general livestock work.
Kate has volunteered across the community including waitressing for the Catholic Women’s Society, umpiring for junior soccer and touch football, helping with the Gunnedah Rotary barbecue, Christmas luncheon, Porchetta Day, Pink Ribbon luncheon and volunteering for the Salvation Army.
She is a regular blood donor and has received a bronze and silver in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Kate hopes to go to university following the completion of Year 12.
She entered the showgirl competition with her friends and to participate in a new and challenging activity.
Sophie Sainsbury
SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Sophie Sainsbury, of Keepit Dam, is a Year 12 student at St Mary’s College.
Sophie is the daughter of Russell and Julie-anne Sainsbury and is interested in water sports, Central North Rugby, girls rugby in Gunnedah and touch football, as well as sewing, cooking, clay target shooting, camping, sport and family activities.
She also works casually on weekends at Lake Keepit Holiday Park.
Sophie has volunteered across the community including for Pink Ribbon Day, Salvation Army Doorknock Appeal, Teddy Bear Picnic, Riding for Disabled, Porchetta Day and on her school catering team.
Sophie hopes to study nursing at university and work in rural hospitals in NSW. She would also like to travel to different countries to experience their cultures.
Sophie entered the showgirl competition to experience new activities and to meet new people.
“Having grown up in the area I’m passionate about the rural community,” she said.