PITT TOWN friends Renee Beneke and Louise Hertel are also competitors for Hawkesbury Showgirl of 2015.
Renee, 18, and Louise, 17, have been friends since meeting at their school, Bede Polding College in South Windsor.
Renee said she had a lucky childhood, growing up on five acres surrounded by horses, and wants others to know how good such a life can be.
‘‘That’s why, since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to be a showgirl,’’ she said.
‘‘I’d go to the show and see how the showgirls were helping the community; I wanted to be a part of that.’’
Louise said she entered the Showgirl Quest because her friend asked her to.
‘‘Renee said it would be fun, and it is,’’ Louise said.
‘‘I like dressing up and I like hanging out with the other girls.’’
On a more serious note, Louise said the experience had widened her knowledge of the Hawkesbury and its rural industries.
‘‘People should know it’s more than a few towns and some farms west of Sydney,’’ Louise said.
‘‘There’s also a lot more of a cultural life in the Hawkesbury than many realise.’’
Renee, who grew up in the Hawkesbury, started riding horses at an early age and entered her first riding competition at seven.
‘‘I’ve been to the inter-state nationals three times, representing my school and NSW,’’ Renee said.
‘‘Last year I came fourth; I’ve always been in the top-10.’’
She said she had had a few falls from horses, but was determined to keep riding.
‘‘It’s so much fun, I never think of the dangers,’’ Renee said.
She said she wanted to interest more people, especially younger people, in horse riding and the agricultural life.
However, she is not likely to win Louise over to the equestrian side.
Her close friend and Showgirl rival said she had never ridden a horse and did not wish to.
‘‘I’m more interested in fashion and writing,’’ Louise said.
‘‘After I complete my HSC I hope to go into journalism, maybe writing about fashion.
‘‘I’d like a career in journalism because I like getting to the facts and getting information out to people.’’
Renee wants to train as a physical education teacher after she completes her HSC.
‘‘I’ve always wanted to be a teacher; this year I decided I wanted to teach physical education,’’ Renee said.
‘‘I’ve been active my whole life; not just riding horses, I swim a lot too.’’
Both know that whatever happens next year, either could be representing the Hawkesbury as Showgirl 2015.
‘‘But it really doesn’t matter if I’m not chosen,’’ Louise said.
‘‘The experience is great, I’ve had fun and I’ve learned a lot.’’
Renee also said the experience was a worthwhile one, regardless of the outcome.
Both young women said their challenge now was to promote the Hawkesbury and encourage more people to seek out the better aspects of rural living.
