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(L-R) Queens Maddison Gallagher, Julea Farry, Sarah Shepherd and Sarah O’Shea with Harvest Festival President Mark Vass Photo credit: Zeepard Photos
A “special” launch at the Home Hill Community Sports Club last weekend officially kicked off this year's Queensland Country Bank Home Hill Harvest Festival calendar.
The well-attended event on Sunday 13th September saw the community enjoy an afternoon of bowls and live music before hearing from the 2026 Festival Queens for the first time.
Harvest Festival Vice President Carlene Muilwyk said Sunday's event was a positive beginning to another Harvest Festival season.
“Our Launch is always a special day because it officially marks the beginning of another Home Hill Harvest Festival, and this year was no exception,” Carlene said.
“We had beautiful weather, a great turnout and such a lovely atmosphere, with everyone getting involved and having a go at lawn bowls, whether they had played before or not.”
The event also saw this year’s four queens—Sarah O’Shea, Sarah Shepherd, Maddison Gallagher and Julea Farry—introduce themselves to attendees, explaining their reasons for entering the Queen Program and choosing their respective sponsorship organisations.
Carlene said hearing the Queens’ stories was one of the highlights of Sunday’s launch.
“It was also wonderful to see just how much support they already have behind them,” she said.
Carlene said the Queen Program was designed to give young women an opportunity to build confidence and become more involved in their community.
The quartet will now begin their fundraising campaigns before a Charity Queen and Personality Queen are announced at the Rotary Gala Ball on 6th November.
Sunday’s launch also starts the countdown to this year's Festival, which will culminate in the Rio Carnavale-themed Grand Parade and Street Party on Saturday 7th November.
The Harvest Festival Committee thanked attendees, the Home Hill Community Sports Club for hosting, Gabriel Hatherell for the entertainment, and the volunteers, Queen organisations and supporters who helped make the afternoon a success.
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