The idea of conducting a Miss Showgirl Competition was first brought to a Queensland Chamber Meeting in 1981 by Mr Bevan Standsby, the South West Queensland Delegate at the time.

In 1982, the Darling Downs Sub-Chamber Delegate and State Vice President, Mr Gilbert Lange again raised the matter and after much debating and persuasive argu­ment it was agreed to run a Final in 1983. A Committee appointed from the Darling Downs (Mrs Lillian Krog, and Messrs Graham Jensen, Gilbert Lange and Richard Pietsch) conducted the event. After consultation with Mr Blair Chadwick from Queensland Country Life (who were to be the major sponsors) the contest was under­way. Other sponsors were obtained and Rules were drawn up using the New South Wales Competition Criteria as a guideline.

The first Showgirl Winner was Esther Smith from South West Queensland and Charmaine Bondfield from the Darling Downs was Runner-up. In 1985 the first National Final was held and since then two Queensland girls have taken out the Na­tional Title; namely Kim Watkins in 1986 and Kylie Farmer in 1992. Kim became well known as a TV presenter. The National Miss Showgirl Competition ceased in 2000. Many of our State Winners and Finalists have achieved excellent employment through their involvement in the Awards. Others have entered Quests such as 'Girl in a Million" and have been winners.

For many Show Societies the Miss Showgirl Awards has been a source of raising funds and may also have contributed to the increase in gate numbers. For many years there have been in excess of 600 Entrants State-wide, making it the largest Competition of its kind in the State. Each year fabulous prizes are obtained and two of the original Sponsors 'Queensland Country Life' and 'Bruce Robinson Diamonds' are still with the Awards. The ANZ Bank was also one of the original Sponsors and it is wonderful to have them once again a Sponsor of the Awards.

Queensland now has an exchange arrangement with South Australia whereby the Miss Showgirl Winner visits the Adelaide Royal Show as their guest.