Home Hill Harvest Festival Queens: Celebrating Community Spirit

As preparations for the Home Hill Harvest Festival get underway, the excitement in the Burdekin community is palpable. The upcoming event on 9 November promises to be a spectacular celebration, with a diverse array of activities highlighting the spirit and vibrancy of the region. At the heart of these festivities are the Home Hill Harvest Festival Queens, who play an integral role in the event through their dedicated efforts in fundraising and community engagement.
Each candidate for the Harvest Festival Queen title is sponsored by a local not-for-profit club, sporting organisation, or business entity. Their journey, which includes fundraising and active participation in festival events, culminates in the grand Gala Ball presentation. This year's festival, like those before it, benefits greatly from the energy and dedication of these amazing young women.
Dayna Linton, the 2023 Charity Queen, and Ally-Jo Farry, the 2023 Personality Queen have shared their stories, providing an insider's perspective on the Harvest Festival Queen experience. Both Dayna and Ally-Jo’s stories provide a vivid picture of the commitment and joy involved in participating in this cherished community tradition.
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BURDEKIN NETBALL ASSOCIATION: DAYNA LINTON – Charity Queen 2023
Representing Burdekin Netball Association, Dayna Linton, 19, is an Agribusiness Relationship Assistant at Rural Bank and is currently studying a Diploma of Agribusiness Management. Having been involved with the Burdekin Netball Association from a young age, Dayna's role as Umpire Convener and her passion for developing junior players are testament to her deep commitment to the club.
Memorable Moment: "The most memorable moment for me as a Harvest Festival Queen was when I was on stage and got to look out at the crowd to see all my favourite people there supporting me."
Inspiration to Participate: "As a queen for Burdekin Netball Association, I have seen many other players and members of the club participate as queens before me. I wanted to be a role model like those girls were to me and give back to the club."
Impact on Club Involvement: "It was more the behind-the-scenes things I had to organise for events and fundraising that I became more involved with."
Rewarding Part of Fundraising: "The most rewarding part of raising money for my organisation was knowing what that money will be used for and that it will impact our club for many years to come."
Experience in Festival Events: "I had a lot of fun participating in the Harvest Festival events. The parade was definitely my favourite part, having players aged from 6-17 as part of the float supporting myself and Burdekin Netball was very touching."
Qualities for a Successful Queen: "I think the only quality needed to be a successful charity queen is passion. As long as you’re passionate about what or who you’re fundraising for and willing to be out in the community and give new things a go, that’s all you need."
Advice for Future Participants: "Don’t take it too seriously, enjoy the events and the group of queens you’re with. Get involved wherever you can!"
HOME HILL - AYR LIONS CLUB: ALLY-JO FARRY – Personality Queen 2023
Ally-Jo Farry, 18, represented the Home Hill – Ayr Lions Club. Currently a second-year apprentice at Phoenix Hair Studio, Ally-Jo has been a lifelong resident of the Burdekin district and treasures its tight-knit community.
Favourite Part of the Festival: "Throughout the Harvest Festival, my favourite part was seeing the whole community come together as one. I have met some wonderful people, and they are moments that I cherish. Their support towards the events and us queens was phenomenal and that is something I will never forget."
Feeling Winning the Title: "In my eyes, everybody is a winner. It was definitely a shock when I was announced that I had won Personality Queen. I almost cried! I remember sitting on the stage with butterflies in my stomach. Everybody was cheering. It’s definitely a moment in life that I will never forget."
Personal Growth: "Being a Queen has definitely influenced my personal growth. Before doing the Harvest Festival, I never liked speeches as I was never confident enough to stand on stage and talk in front of a large crowd. I have developed confidence in myself to do that, and that is something I’m really proud of."
Balancing Responsibilities: "Trying to balance work life and my commitments was actually a lot easier than I anticipated at the start. Sometimes there were events that I couldn’t attend, but the Harvest Festival committee was always very understanding. One thing that helped was most of the events were either on a weeknight or a Sunday, which I had already finished work."
Fun or Unexpected Experience: "The best event is definitely the pet show. It was the best day seeing everyone come down with their pets. Every pet was so different. There were cats, dogs, chickens, ponies, guinea pigs, and reptiles. Seeing all the different pets in costumes was definitely a fun night."
Role of Family and Friends: "My family, my partner Jaidyn, and his family were definitely my biggest supporters. I couldn’t thank my partner enough. As I didn’t have a car, Jaidyn would drop me off and pick me up from all my meetings and events, for which I am grateful. And of course, my mum and Jaidyn’s family for always being at every fundraiser I hosted or contributing in some way."
Preparation for Events: "When preparing for events for the Harvest Festival, such as my fundraising events, I definitely wanted to do something different that I felt the town would enjoy. Two major fundraising events were my trivia night at the Crown Hotel and my bake sale. The Lions Club was a massive help in organising and making the night perfect, and everyone jumped in to help bake some delicious treats."
Upcoming Events
The 2024 Home Hill Harvest Festival promises a full program of events, kicking off with the Ephemera & Harvest Festival Launch on 29 September at Lloyd Mann Gardens. Highlights include the Students Ball on 4 October, Town of Origin on 20 October, King and Queen of the Hill on 26 October, Derby Day on 2 November, Golf Ambrose on 3 November, the Pet Show/Bolt for Bucks on 6 November, the Harvest Ball on 8 November, and the Grand Parade/Street Party on 9 November.
The Queensland Country Bank Home Hill Harvest Festival celebrates the rich agricultural industry and laid-back lifestyle of the Burdekin region. With events running from September through early November, there's something for everyone.
This year, our 2024 queens will start their fundraising events from 1 August and value the support of the community. Keep an eye out for all the amazing events they will be putting on.
For more information and to get involved, visit the Home Hill Harvest Festival website, www.hhharvestfestival.com.au or follow the festival on social media.

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Float entrants in the 2023 Harvest Festival Parade in Home Hill
2023 Harvest Festival Charity Queen Dayna Linton representing the Burdekin Netball Association in the2023 Harvest Festival Parade in Home Hill.
2023 Harvest Festival Personality Queen, Ally-Jo Farry representing the Home Hill and Ayr Lions Club in the 2023 Harvest Festival Parade in Home Hill.
Ally-Jo Farry being crowed as the 2023 Harvest Festival Personality Queen at the Harvest Festival Ball at the Memorial Hall in Home Hill.
Dayna Linton being crowed as the 2023 Harvest Festival Charity Queen at the Harvest Festival Ball at the Memorial Hall in Home Hill.
Dayna Linton and Ally-Jo Farry standing together after being crowned at the 2023 Harvest Festival Ball

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