Media Release 9^th January 2008

Wagin Woolorama has named 21 year old Wagin girl, Londa Finlayson as its Rural Ambassador for 2008.
Londa who was born and bred in Wagin is married with a five month old baby son and works as the Assistant Manager of the Commonwealth Bank in Narrogin.
Woolorama Media/Public Relations spokesman, Pat Harding said Londa would be a tremendous asset as Rural Ambassador.
“She is extremely articulate, vibrant and outgoing and is one of the most confident 21 year old’s I have encountered.
I believe she has the capacity to represent Western Australia following the state final later this year”.
Londa’s parents, Wayne and Wicki Hegarty have been long time residents of Wagin and have run a successful shearing company.
She married her husband Troy, a New Zealander in October 2006 and her son Logan was born in August 2007.
She attended Wagin District High School up to Year 10, where she was Vice Captain, finishing years 11 & 12 at the Narrogin Senior High School.
Londa has had practical experience in rural life working part time as a shed hand and then winning the novice section in the wool handling competition at Woolorama in 2005.
After leaving school she spent 12 months as a Trainee at the Shire of Wagin, then 9 months with the Town of Narrogin before joining the Commonwealth Bank in
Narrogin, where she is now the Assistant Manager.
Londa has been actively involved in sport in Wagin taking up the role of Junior Coordinator for the Wagin Netball Club, coaching, umpiring, playing and affiliating.
In 2004 she was awarded an Alcoa Sport Scholarship for coaching and given $1,000 to help further her experience and knowledge of netball through courses, carnivals and clinics.
“Since I was a little girl it was always my dream to represent Woolorama and wear the maroon sash, now that I have that wonderful opportunity
I will represent the Wagin community with pride and determination”, she said.

Media Contact: Pat Harding 9294 3946 or Mobile 0400 546 525
Londa Finlayson 9861 1777

One of the new fascinating attractions at Woolorama 2008 will be Aerial Bungi jumping. This portable jump will have you soaring in the air on to a trampoline which will send you even higher. It’s something that’s likely to attract a great deal of interest and attention and you’ll find it on the main oval at the Wagin Showgrounds. The Aerial Bungi jump will operate during the day and at night under lights.

For the first time in its history, Wagin Woolorama will stage a rodeo from 4 pm on Saturday March 8th as a spectacular finale to its 2008 show.

Woolorama President, Chris Moffatt said there’d been an opportunity to put on a rodeo to end Woolorama with a bang. “We’ve often thought that the last afternoon was an anti-climax and we’ve been looking at ways to keep patrons on the showground’s, so when we were offered the rodeo we grasped it with both hands”.

The rodeo will be staged by the West Australian Division of the National Rodeo Council which will set up portable yards and all facilities.

Jo Kestel from the NRC said they were always looking for new venues to stage rodeos because the popularity of the spectator sport was increasing throughout Western Australia. “We’ll have between 50 and 60 riders, some quality horses and some high quality bulls which will include Brahman, Brahman Cross and other breeds. There will also be an opportunity for local riders to show their skills by entering the barrel races – all in all we believe it’ll provide excellent entertainment to close off Woolorama for 2008,” she said.

A licenced bar and food outlets will also be available to rodeo patrons and will be followed by a live band until late.

There’ll be a rodeo entry fee of $20 for adults and $5 for children, however patrons to Woolorama on the Saturday who pay general admittance will be issued with a wristband and will admitted to the rodeo for just $3.00.

It’s expected that the newly crowned Rodeo Queen will be at Woolorama for both the Friday and Saturday to promote the event.

The rodeo will be staged at the old “tent city” near the old drive in at the rear of the Wagin Showground’s and hay bales and low loaders will provide seating for spectators.

The grand finale Woolorama rodeo will begin at 4 pm on Saturday 8th March.

Media contact: Pat Harding 9294 3946

Wagin Woolorama is to stage a talent quest for young people at its annual show in March this year with up to $1400 in cash prizes.

Woolorama President, Chris Moffat said Woolorama used to hold a talent quest some years ago and it was felt that now was the time to reactivate it. “With a resurgence of interest in performing shown by the tremendous success of Australian Idol and other talent quests, we thought it was a great opportunity to give young West Australians the opportunity to show their talent. Who knows what we might uncover?”

The talent quest will be held in the Woolorama Shearing Shed from 6pm on Friday 7th March and will be divided into two sections – 10 to 13 years of age and 14 to 18 years of age. Contestants can perform without music, play their own instrument or use a CD backing track. All performances will be recorded and CD’s will be available to contestants at a nominal rate.

The entry fee for the talent quest will be $5, which will include admittance to Woolorama. Entry forms are available from Wendy Pederick, Woolorama Secretary on 9861 1611 and entries will close on Friday 29th February.

Woolorama Media/Public Relations spokesman, Pat Harding said the talent quest was a unique opportunity for young people not only from the Great Southern but from other parts of the state.

“We don’t mind where the talent comes from but we’d be delighted if Woolorama could be a launching pad for a new career for some of the performers. We’ll have three independent judges and first, second and third cash prizes in each category to a total value of $1400, so it is a talent quest worth entering.”

Contestants must be at the Wagin Showground’s by 4pm Friday March 7th.

MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Pederick, Woolorama Secretary 9861 1611
                                         Pat Harding, Media/Public Relations 9294 3946