Short stroll for Miss Backpacker title
January 26, 2012
ACKPACKER QUEEN: Chloe Ellen is a young backpacker who is going places, literally. Chloe (CENTRE) is congratulated on her new title by fellow Riviera backpackers Laurie Gey, 24, (LEFT) and ‘Harry’ Wrathall, 23.
By ALAN ERSKINE
A 22-year-old guitar-playing English psychologist with a love of travel is Miss Sunraysia Backpacker, 2012.
Bournemouth-born Chloe Ellen won the title against a quality field of striking young internationals at the inaugural competition organised by the Setts Mildura Bar and Function Centre.
Chloe was actually in with a four-to-one chance of picking up a share of the prizemoney – $500 – when three fellow Riviera Backpacker Hostel residents entered the competition and agreed to share the prizemoney if one of them won, with the winner getting the Lion’s share – $200.
The competition was so successful, and so well supported (Most of the 13 hostels in Sunraysia had at least one entrant), that the Setts is now organising a Mr Summer Backpacker, to be held in a few weeks.
They are the latest in a series of novelty fun events held regularly at the Setts, including Full Moon parties, a celebration for Halloween…even a beach party.
Setts managing director Dean Forsyth said the backpaker industry was a valuable one for Sunraysia, and one of the aims of the Setts was to give young backpackers from around the world a home away from home, and a break from hostel life, by turning on speciality themed events that were entertaining and fun for them.
The Miss Sunraysia Backpacker competition attracted entrants from all walks of life – there were hairdressers, health care workers, graphic designers…even an engineer, and they represented many countries, including France, England, Italy, Germany and Korea.
“It was a great result, thanks to the help of operators of our backpacker hostels,” Dean said. “They did a great job recruiting girls for the competition. We are hoping for a similar, or better, result for the Mr Summer Backpacker event.”
Chloe said she had decided to enter the competition only at the last minute, after a bit of gentle persuasion from part-time Riveriera Hostel bus driver ‘Doc’ Fawdry, and only after three other fellow hostel residents had agreed to stroll the catwalk with her.
“It was good fun,” Chloe said. “All we had to do was walk up and down in front of the crowd for a minute or two…the easiest $200 I have ever made…it sure beats work!”
Chloe is packing garlic on a property near Trentham Cliffs, saving as much money as she can so she can continue her world travels. She’s already travelled widely through Europe, seen a lot of Australia, and has her heart set on her next adventure, a visit to India and South America.
But that won’t be for a year or so. Chloe has had her visa extended, and doesn’t have to leave Australia until May, 2013.
Between now and then she hopes to see a lot more of Australia, and doesn’t care what work she picks up…as well as packing garlic, she also has experience at fruit picking, event managing, charity fund-raising…and has even sold vegie peelers at the market.
Chloe likes to relax by playing the guitar, listening to music, surfing, swimming and yoga, and admits to not being much of a party-goer or night-clubber…but she’s glad she was talked into that big night out at the Setts.
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