Overwhelmed is how she felt after asking herself “did all that really happen?”

Ms Walters and 2001 Australia Post Princess of Country Music Laura Daley were crowned at a Tamworth and District Chamber of Commerce gala dinner at Wests on Thursday night.

The competition attracted 21 entrants and was judged by Lyn Windsor, Scott Penrose, Lisa Baldock-Smith, Kaye Ruprecht, Bob Newland and Brendan Blowes.

Ms Walters was sponsored by her employer, New England Mental Health Service, and Lifeline Tamworth and Northern Inland Inc where she is a volunteer telephone counsellor. Ms Daley was sponsored by country radio station Radio 4GG 87.6FM Heartland Tamworth.

“I was very surprised, excited and honoured to be chosen to represent Tamworth and the Festival,” Ms Walters said.

“I grew up at Gowrie, my family settled here in 1875, and I entered the competition to be an ambassador for my home town which offers the best of both worlds – cosmopolitan

living with a country twist.

“I thoroughly enjoy the Country Music Festival and look forward to becoming more involved with it and experiencing it from a different perspective.”

Laura Daley, who has combined working as a law clerk at Everingham Solomon with her Festival commitments, was equally surprised with the competition outcome.

“Tamworth has been so good to me, it will be a wonderful city to promote,” the former Tamworth Young Citizen of the Year said.

“The behind the scenes experience has topped off an already great Festival.

“It’s good to see so many professional women enter the competition, given that it’s organised and sponsored by the Tamworth business community which is predominantly male.”