These boots are made for queening: quest shows new intent | feature, gallery

But it’s what has taken place behind the scenes that has set this quest apart, and organisers and entrants are excited about the opportunities.

In its 34th year, Tamworth Regional Council – the most recent event-runner – handed it over to women’s empowerment and advocacy group Zonta to take the lead.

And Zonta Club of Tamworth president Deb Maes says the fit couldn’t be more perfect.

“It fits with our core mission, which is to empower women and girls and facilitate leadership development, so we have really geared the quest to focus much more on the development of the entrants than we believe has ever been done in the past,” Mrs Maes said.

“It’s the perfect platform for us to be delivering that to our local community: it’s a platform that is there and established, it’s iconic to our town, it’s very much in our psyche … It’s perfect for us for to do.”

The quest, established in 1984 by the Tamworth and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has been through a little upheaval over the years, for various reasons including the workload and resources it requires.

It went into the hands of the council, back to the chamber, then to the council’s sister city committee – and last year, Zonta grabbed it with both hands.

Mrs Maes said the organisers had chosen to take this year to get “a really solid foundation in how it’s run” but had made some changes they felt would make an immediate impact.

The biggest tweak has been the entrants’ preparation for their festival duties and beyond. Although they were only officially sashed just over a week ago, they’ve been working – on themselves – since October 12.

Every Wednesday night for 10 weeks, they’ve been taking part in public speaking practice with Toastmasters, dining etiquette at Quality Hotel Powerhouse, grooming and dress codes with Plush Hair Design and Just Irresistible, confidence coaching with ImagineMore, and even tips on how to talk to the media, with Fairfax New England group editor Juanita Greville, The Northern Daily Leader being the major sponsor.

Most importantly, they’ve had the chance to put the theory into practice before being under the festival spotlight, including speaking at a Zonta meeting and doing a radio interview.

And Mrs Maes, the entrants and apparently locals and festival visitors have been effusive about the impact of all this investment in, and investment by, the women.

Mrs Maes said previous event models had given the entrants “incredible development during the festival” but this year’s ambassadors, among whom are two returning entrants, had been “just blown away” by the new approach.

“They’ve said it’s not just the development and training … but also the opportunity to apply it,” Mrs Maes said.

“It meant all of the really scary stuff is out of the way and they’ve just hit the ground running with the festival ... in the past they’ve had to do it on the run while they're actually in the middle of wanting to be there supporting acts and things.”

Mrs Maes said most telling was “the talk around town”.

“I’m getting people stopping me and wanting to have quite an extended conversation and get the names of the girls and tell me what they did and how astonished they were at their attitude and professionalism – ‘professionalism’ is the word I’m hearing constantly,” she said.

“That’s not to diminish previous entrants, because the queen quest attracts a high calibre of women who are wanting to contribute, make a difference, give back; the entrants have always been a wonderful asset to the festival.”

Here’s what the 13 entrants had to say:

Cassi Cutmore (sponsor Tamworth Family Support Service):

I have a ‘semi-fear’ of public speaking unless I am facilitating a program. This [Toastmasters] program allowed me to practice my current skills and gain more self-confidence, in a way I never knew possible. I am more stoked that this training is something that I have began using more and more in my workplace and everyday life. It has made a tremendous difference. For that I am thankful … I donated blood for the very first time, thanks to the support of the other queens. I would highly recommend this quest to everyone, and I have been. The lead-up training as well as the hands-on experience has been phenomenal. Definitely an experience of a lifetime.

Maddy Robinson (sponsor Transport Network Australia):

I entered to broaden my horizons and become a more involved member of the Tamworth community … I have learnt just how much goes on behind the scenes of the festival and how much work goes into making the festival happen. Personally I have also developed my skills as an active member of the community. I would tell [others] to absolutely have a go. It is an amazing experience and fabulous opportunity. I am so glad I have been a part of this year’s quest. 

Erin Whitten (sponsor LJ Hooker Tamworth): 

For me it’s a rite of passage as a local girl and a privilege to be able to represent the town in this forum. It has been an amazing 10 days. I would like to think I have contributed to making this festival a happy and positive experience for all our visitors and locals, too. [To others, I would say] enter, it will be the best 10 days of your life. The friendships you make and the experience you have are something you won’t experience unless you are a part of it.

Ruby Thompson (sponsor Leading Edge Tamworth):

Hands down, the best part of the quest has been the friendships I’ve made with the other entrants, as well as all the amazing events we have been lucky enough to attend as part of the competition. I have really been able to experience first-hand just how much work and effort goes into successfully running the festival. I’ve also learnt some invaluable line dancing skills! I would definitely encourage any girls who are think of doing it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which I highly recommend.

Sarah Weatherley (sponsor Ruralco Property Davidson Cameron Real Estate):

It has been something that has been on my bucket list for years: to be able to see the festival from a different perspective, to be able to say I was a part of the 2017 Tamworth Country Music Festival and hopefully was able to help make it an enjoyable experience for others. There has been so much I have seen and done and the people that I have met, I probably would not have seen had I not been part of the quest. I absolutely loved being backstage and helping with the 2017 Star Maker concert, meeting and greeting the stars and even having the opportunity to snap a photo with Guy Sebastian.

Mandy Woodbury (sponsor Regional Australia Bank):

In 2013 I entered into the queen quest, but back then I was a little shy and had complete stage fright. I’ve worked at Regional Australia Bank just under five years now, and I’ve been mentored by some really great and inspiring people that have made me into the person I am today: confident, motivated and ready to tackle the world. So the reason I entered the Queen of Country Music Quest is to really encourage other young Indigenous women to take a chance, get out there and hold your head up high. I have enjoyed building a lovely friendship with all the girls before the festival and also helping out with all local events.

Taylor Fletcher (sponsor Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service):

I entered the quest to meet like-minded professional women and to enjoy the festival in a new way. I have loved seeing the festival through fresh eyes. It’s a great way to learn more than you could imagine about the city, make great new friends and to experience the festival. The quest has been so much more than I expected and, especially with the Zonta club’s development schedule in the lead-up to the festival, the professional development aspect is unreal for a city such as Tamworth. Take the opportunity by the horns and do it!

Lucinda Hubbard (sponsor Furneys Stockfeeds):

I entered the quest again this year because I made so any amazing friendships during last year’s quest. I also love the city I live in and love being an ambassador for Tamworth. The best part has been the early-morning paper runs at Riverside camp grounds. You meet so many different people and you’re able to answer all their questions before they start their days. The Toastmasters course was the most life-changing experience you could ask for, it's boosted my public speaking confidence.

Mim Player (sponsor Bodyguard Window Tinting):

I entered to meet new people, make new friends, build my confidence, and serve and be involved in the community. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the other entrants and meeting some of the stars. There is so much that goes into [the festival] and most of it isn’t seen. It is a lot of fun and it is an experience that you won’t forget. The entrants are all so lovely and so are the people who have organised the quest. I’m sure these friendships that have formed will continue even after the quest.

Claire Turnor (sponsor Tamworth Regional Council):

I am fairly new to the Tamworth region, having moved here at the end of January 2016, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet some like-minded young women in Tamworth as well as learn more about the Tamworth region. I have really enjoyed getting out into the community and meeting so many different people. I would definitely recommend getting involved in the quest. It has been a lot of fun. I have met some great people involved in the quest, artists performing and the general public, both local and visiting. I have had the opportunity to experience so many things in the festival that I wouldn’t have. Be prepared for a big week of excitement and fun!

Tara Grant (sponsor RJN Transport):

I joined the Queen of Country Music Quest this year as I believe it is a great opportunity for young women to be represented by and to connect with their community in a positive way. It is a chance to get involved in the Tamworth Country Music Festival in a whole new manner. I enjoy being involved with community events and I love the positive vibe that the festival brings to our city. This year Zonta has taken the reins in organising the quest and has done a magnificent job. I was able to organise the girls to give blood at the Australian Red Cross Blood Donation Service. We had some girls return as donors, and we even had a first-time donor! I think anyone who has ever thought about entering the queen quest or anyone who would like to build their confidence should most definitely join in 2018.

Sarah Norris (sponsor The Albert Hotel):

I entered the Queen of Country Music Quest to build confidence in myself and meet young women who are wanting to be ambassadors for the great region we live in. The experiences that we got through the Tamworth Country Music Festival are able to be applied to any part of our lives. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of joining the queen quest next year.

Zoe Cooper (sponsor Telstra Store Tamworth): 

I decided to do the quest because I really wanted to meet more young like-minded women in our community. I’ve really enjoyed experiencing the festival and Tamworth in a different light. To have the opportunity to represent the town I call home was an absolute privilege. What have I enjoyed the most is getting to know all the other entrants and getting to meet some of the artists. I didn't know how extensive the festival was and it has been an absolute pleasure to be a part of. I’ve learnt that there are so many incredible people within this region with incredible talents. Although Tamworth may not be a capital city, it has endless opportunities.