The 2022 Miss Wagga Wagga and Community Princess 

Miss Wagga Wagga  -  Jessikah McCarthy 

When I submitted my nomination form in March, nothing could have possibly prepared me for what was ahead. All I knew at this time was that I was joining a group of young women to raise money for who we would choose as our beneficiaries. What a year we have all had. From COVID restrictions, to a statewide lockdown, and back to COVID restrictions. I am so pleased that we have managed to adapt and make sure this was a successful year for the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest.

This whole experience has been invaluable. The people I have met along the way have made this journey enjoyable and I know that I have made lifelong friendships and connections. Thank you to my fellow Entrants, Molly, Emi, Rachael & Georgie. We have all grown and shared so many fantastic opportunities. We have achieved some amazing things together throughout the year and I could not imagine going through this experience with a more amazing group of young women. Thank you Molly, Emi, Rachael & Georgie for making this one of the best years of my life, and I am so incredibly grateful that I got to share this with each of you.


Community Princess - Rachael Bowering

It’s funny to think that I wouldn’t be standing up here if Hannah Smith hadn’t asked me to join the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest whilst we were at work together, then again at a work Christmas party, then yet again at another work dinner, when I finally said “sure, why not”. All I can say is I wish I had said yes sooner.

This Quest has given me a once in a lifetime insight into the production that is Wagga Wagga. I came into the Quest hoping to learn more about my community, and I have gained exactly that. Wagga Wagga is a place with many moving parts, running like a machine to build ourselves into a hub of events, nature, tourism, and excitement. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this city.

I have learnt so much about Wagga Wagga, this community, and myself. Throughout our personal development sessions, The Quest and guest mentors challenged my knowledge about table manners, speeches, clothing etiquette, mental and physical health, event planning and Wagga Wagga. I have grown so much, and I cannot wait to utilise these new skills and new knowledge in the future.