Dubbo’s Holly Taylor showed just what she was made of when she completed the Kokoda Trail.
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The teenager who described herself as being “so small” persisted along the gruelling terrain with her heavy pack, reaching her goal in 10 days.
The Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge participant said the experience had changed her whole outlook.
“I learned that I could,” Miss Taylor said.
“It was a big moment for me because, as every teenager does, you struggle with thinking what you can do in life.
“But it showed me I could do something that people thought I couldn’t.”
...it showed me I could do something that people thought I couldn’t.
- Dubbo Showgirl entrant Holly Taylor on completing the Kokoda Trail
Almost two years later when the opportunity arose to take part in the Dubbo Showgirl competition, Miss Taylor, now aged 18, embraced it.
Dubbo Showgirl committee member Lauren Amor had promoted the annual contest to Miss Taylor’s friend Isobel Humphreys and the pair decided to enter.
“Issy was like ‘come along’ and I thought why not, it’s only going to be a positive experience,” she said.
“It’s a really good opportunity to network and have a conversation with other young ladies who come from a similar environment and were raised in similar way, about the opportunities that came for them from this program.”
Having graduated from St Johns College, Miss Taylor is now working at the school as a teacher aide and has plans for her future.
“I’m pursuing high school teaching so it’s a really good opportunity to have an understanding of what you’re going to be participating in, and the career you’re going to be choosing,” she said.
“The kids make it worth it… it’s very fulfilling.”
From her early years netball has been a big interest.
“I really enjoy sport but I like the community involvement of sport, I think is the basis of that, as opposed to the actual playing,” Miss Taylor said.
She’s also been involved in cancer charity CanTeen’s Bandanna Day activities and the Lions Youth of the Year Awards.
The showgirl competition provides a platform for young women who have an interest and knowledge of rural NSW.
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The winner of the local title could ultimately represent her city on a state level in the Sydney Royal Showgirl contest.
The Dubbo Showgirl competition is for women aged 18 to 24 years and entries remain open until Wednesday May 2.
Entry packs are available at www.dubboshow.org or from the Dubbo Show office.
Faye Wheeler
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
I have been a journalist for more than a decade and in that time I have been keeping Daily Liberal readers up to date about issues affecting them and what's happening in their community. Throughout my career I have covered a range of rounds and most recently I have been focusing on the business round.
