From World Youth Day to the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest: Amy and Maggie are inspired to serve

As an experienced teacher at Henschke Catholic Primary School, Amy Hickey is often addressed as “miss”, however, the new title of Miss Wagga Wagga may take some getting used to.

“I took my crown and the cape and the sceptre and was introduced at assembly on Monday as the newly crowned Miss Wagga Wagga and the kids loved it,” she said with a laugh.

“My class was calling me Miss Wagga Wagga all day so it’s not Miss Hickey anymore!”

Amy and good friend Maggie Enever were crowned Miss Wagga Wagga and Community Princess for 2025 in a ceremony at the CSU Riverina Playhouse on the weekend.

“It was just so much fun and I really enjoyed being part of the whole ceremony,” Amy said.

“I think the Kapooka Army Band trumpet fanfare was probably a massive highlight for me.

“At first when they announced the titleholders, I didn’t think that I’d heard right. I thought – no, that’s not my name, surely – but it was.”

Maggie was equally thrilled with the weekend’s festivities and the remarkable journey that she said had brought her out of her shell.

“It has probably been one of the best weekends of my life and I just never imagined that something like this could have happened to me,” she said, adding that it was Amy who got her involved.

“Wagga has been my home for my whole life and I’m very grateful that Amy got me to join the quest because it’s a real privilege and real honour to be representing my hometown.”

The pair had journeyed overseas together in 2023 on a pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Portugal and said they were inspired to get more involved in serving the community.

The crowning ceremony completed a busy eight months for Amy and Maggie along with fellow quest entrants Belinda Kyatt, Gabby Hewson, Kathryn Dedini and Shauna Lamotte.

Together they have engaged in personal and professional development and threw themselves into community service, planning and hosting events to raise funds for chosen charities.

“I’m in my mid-30s and I never really thought I would come out of my quiet little shell,” Maggie said.

“The quest has really brought out this spark in me and given all of us girls such a confidence build-up.

“I’m loving this and I want to keep growing and keep getting involved and keep helping other people!”

Amy moved to Wagga from her hometown of Deniliquin a decade ago to study education at Charles Sturt University and said the quest had deepened her local connections.

“My godfather has lived here for 30 years and every time we’d go down the street all these people are talking to him and saying hi – and I just loved that he knew everybody and I wanted to find a way to be more immersed in the community,” she said.

“I’ve gotten to know so many people, and I think getting involved with our beneficiaries was very special and I want to continue that engagement with organisations and help out where I can.”

Both titleholders are looking forward to a busy year ahead representing Wagga and supporting the next generation of entrants.

“The quest is open for applications again now and I would encourage any young women who want to develop themselves personally and professionally to give it a go,” said Amy.

“I think it can be a very empowering experience if you go into it willing to learn and to try out anything that comes your way and you have to want to really get involved in the community.”