That’s not to say our new Miss Wagga Sarah Navin is hard on the eyes, indeed she’s certainly proved she has a face for television over the past couple of years. But unlike Donald Trump’s Miss Universe contest, there was no ‘swimsuit section’ for the Miss Wagga hopefuls.

In the effort to release ourselves from the ‘shackles’ of our oppressive past, we have sometimes thrown the baby out with the bathwater, especially when it comes to beauty pageants. Scantily-clad young women parading themselves for a man’s enjoyment is hardly the sort of pastime for our daughters and nieces.

However, even the most ardent feminist would have a hard time arguing against the value of helping young women become well-presented and articulate.

The young women who have worn the crown throughout the almost 70 years of the contest have been ambassadors for the city. They have traditionally been the embodiment of what every young woman should aspire to be: well spoken, intelligent, witty and elegant with a desire to help the community.

Earlier this year, the six Miss Wagga entrants went through a series of personal development sessions including presentation and dress, public speaking and letter writing, skills that all young people should be taught if they hope to make something of themselves.

For someone like Ms Navin, who has made a career in the media, these skills were doubtless only further polished throughout the process. But for other young women who may not have been afforded the chance to learn social graces, understanding etiquette and deportment may prove the difference between a good job and a great job in the future.

Both Miss Wagga and Community Princess Jes Smith have an enormous year ahead of them. If the past year is anything to go by, Ms Navin and Ms Smith will get their hands dirty with some serious fundraising. They will also travel as the youthful faces of our fair city, but will also serve as role models to schoolgirls and a symbol a gentler time for some of our elderly residents.

The Miss Wagga Quest is not just about who’s best-looking, but who possesses inner strength and beauty as well.