​So another month down and another month closer to the end of the year! This month we have been on the countdown to our big overseas trip to Europe. With only a few days left to go before we fly out on route to our sister city Nördlingen, we have been busy finalising our itineraries and starting to pack our bags. We are extremely grateful for this amazing opportunity to represent our beautiful city internationally!
 
The month of August started with our regular stint on radio with StarFM and 2WG. As usual it was great fun to catch up with the teams to discuss our past and future events. Our next time on the airwaves will be the morning that we fly out (September 5th) - so be sure to keep an ear out!
 
On Wednesday 3rd August, Melissa attended a Mayoral Reception for The Australia Day Awards Nominations Launch. The purpose of this event was to encourage the community to start thinking about worthy recipients to nominate for our 2017 Australia Day Awards; “Citizen of the Year”, “Young Citizen of the Year”, “Walk of Honour” and “Ted Ryder Memorial” awards.  If you know someone in the Wagga Wagga community who deserves recognition for their tireless community service, these application forms can now be downloaded from the Council’s website (www.wagga.nsw.gov.au).
 
As volunteers with the Wagga Wagga and Surrounds Branch of Make-A-Wish Australia, we attended our first official branch meeting on the second Tuesday of the month. We have both taken up positions on this new committee, with Melissa being elected President and Megan as Secretary. On August 20th we held an information stall in the Market Place and we are hoping to hold another information stall in the Sturt Mall very soon. If you are interested in becoming a Make-A-Wish volunteer - more information can be located on the Make-A-Wish website: (https://www.makeawish.org.au/volunteering-make-wish).

Melissa had the privilege of judging the Junior Showgirl Competition at The Ganmain Show on Saturday 20th August. She has a strong connection to this local show – having been involved in this annual show from a young age. Melissa happily welcomed this opportunity and thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of the young girls who participated in the Showgirl competition this year.

Daffodil Day was on Friday 26th August this year. Daffodil Day gives hope for a brighter, cancer-free future by raising some much needed funds for cancer research. Melissa had an enjoyable afternoon selling merchandise with other volunteers at a stall in the Market Place.
 
It is with great pleasure that this month Megan was able to kick off the Community Princess Foundation with the inaugural donation to the Wagga Wagga Toy Library on Saturday 27th August. Megan donated $200 worth of new toys to the library, which will enable many local youngsters the opportunity to learn and enjoy. We hope to have more grant handovers in coming months and will be sure to keep you posted. If any local sporting groups, community groups, charities or organisations would like to apply for a Community Princess Foundation Grant, please head to our website to download an application form (misswaggaquest.com).

The 2017 Miss Wagga Wagga Quest entrants held their second fundraiser of the year on Saturday 27th August. The Great Gatsby Ball held at Elements of the Gardens was a raging success; with many people putting in a fantastic effort to dress up, great music by Kapooka Army Band and a live auction. Congratulations to Travis and Esther who won best dressed on the night. The 2017 Miss Wagga Wagga Quest entrants all looked amazing and should be very proud of what they achieved on the night!
 
MWW & Princess x

​Welcome to 2016!
 
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas/New Year period.
 
January has been a relatively quiet month for us, with our monthly radio interview and Australia Day festivities our only functions. On Monday 25th we were honoured to meet the amazing Australia Day Awards Nominees at a Mayoral Reception prior to the Awards Ceremony itself. At the Awards Ceremony, Melissa presented her first official speech as Miss Wagga Wagga 2016 and did herself proud as she portrayed what Australia means to her. Congratulations must go not only to the award winners but to all the nominees - you should all be very proud of the wonderful work you do within our local community!
 
January 26 allowed us the opportunity to welcome 23 new Australian citizens to our community. Being a part of the Citizenship Ceremony at the Wagga Beach Precinct enabled Melissa and Megan to reflect on how lucky we are to have been born into such a breathtaking and welcoming country that enables Australians of all walks of life to feel safe and an integral part of our community.
 
Just a reminder if you would like to request the attendance of our titleholders at your upcoming event, do not hesitate to contact us by email (mwwqtitleholders@hotmail.com). We welcome every opportunity to be involved in our community and it's events.
 
Applications are now open for new MWWQ entrants to take part in the 2017 Quest. We cannot recommend the Quest highly enough to any young women within our local community who are considering entering. It is at times a difficult journey, however the highs far outweigh the lows. The personal and professional growth you will experience within this journey, as well as the beautiful friendships that are created, certainly make the Quest journey an extremely worthy experience. For an application form, head over to the MWWQ website - www.misswaggaquest.com.
 
Applications are also open for local foundations to become beneficiaries of the 2017 Quest and for the Community Princess Foundation. The Community Princess Foundation is a new project established to assist community organisations with small grants for projects, equipment and events. To apply for both, head to the MWWQ website - www.misswaggaquest.com - to download an application form.