She’s a country girl at heart though and once she’s finished her double university degrees – education and arts – the travel will have to fit in with her dream of teaching at a small rural school. 

In the meantime she’s more than happy with the Tamworth lifestyle and is proud to be able to represent the city in the Queen of Country Music Quest.

Sponsored by Boral Concrete, Hannah said she’d always enjoyed the country music festival and thought becoming a quest entrant would offer a new challenge.

“I love the atmosphere the festival creates in town,” she said. “Listening to all the buskers, walking around the stalls and in particular, watching the artists. Not only that, but it also brings a sense of life to Tamworth and helps to boost the economy.”

Hannah said she loved the size of her hometown – not too big and not too small.

“Our proximity to the coast is fantastic and we’re close enough to the beach or cities so that a day trip is possible,” she said. “We have the facilities of a city while maintaining a country lifestyle.”

Hockey and waterpolo are the two pursuits that give her a much-needed break away from the books and she also works at the Aquatic Kids swim school.

This is another area where Tamworth stands out.

“The Tamworth region allows for opportunities to participate in a range of sporting and cultural activities, without losing our country lifestyle,” she said.

“I love playing water polo of a summer and hockey of a winter. I have friends from university who do not have an opportunity to play at home. I appreciate how Tamworth provides these opportunities.”