Chloe Wright came from the “Land Down Under” not really knowing what to expect when she arrived in Altona a few weeks ago.
As the 2024 Central Highlands Sunflower Queen, representing Altona’s sister-city, Emerald, Australia, and having gone through their very own Queen Quest just this past Easter, Wright was excited to meet all the entrants for Altona’s event during the Manitoba Sunflower Festival last weekend.
“It’s been so fun getting to know everybody and getting to see the community.’
While in Altona, Wright and her parents, Glenn and Tracy Wright, her sister Ruby, and her grandmother Irene Smith, were hosted by Chris and Karla Driedger, parents of previous Sunflower Festival royalty, Chloe and Olivia Driedger.
“I absolutely love the Driedger clan. I want to be a member of that clan,” Wright says. “Karla just wouldn’t stop making all this amazing food. I was worried I wouldn’t fit into my dress.”
After they arrived, Wright was busy practicing for the local Queen Quest events, which included speeches and some dancing.
“I’m not much of a dancer, so there was a lot to learn,” she says.
The Wright family had never been to Canada before, so it was fascinating to tour a number of places while they were here, including The Forks and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, and local businesses such as Friesens Corp., Elmer’s Manufacturing, and LD Seeds.
“I work in agronomy, so that was very fascinating,” she says.
She watched her first baseball game at Altona’s Access Field and attended the Morris Stampede and Exhibition.
Wright also sampled a few cultural dishes such as crackles and sommo borscht, and even purchased an Altona book at the MCC store.
“People have all been so friendly and welcoming. Altona is just so cute,” she says. “And it’s all so beautiful and green here. Emerald has a lot of mining and industry, so we don’t see these kinds of lush surroundings there.”
As a singing instructor, Wright has a degree in music, has performed in several musicals, and is also studying business and agriculture. She moved to Emerald 18 months ago as a governess and loved the community so much she decided to make it her home.
Looking back on her own Queen Quest journey, Wright says it was never about receiving the crown.
“I thought it would be a great way to get to know and support the community.”
Each entrant in Emerald’s event must raise money for a local organization or charity. Wright raised $14,000 in six weeks and chose the Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) as the recipient. Their current project includes the addition of a $600,000 medical hub at the Emerald airport.
“They are the largest service in Australia and help thousands of people every year, with 500 medical flights out of Emerald alone every day. I had a team of people from the Emerald Rotary Club helping me. It was so much fun.”
Interestingly, one of her strongest supporters at the Rotary Club came to Altona in 1988 with his daughter, who was then a newly crowned queen representing Emerald.
“He still speaks so fondly of this community,” Wright shares.
Being involved in Queen Quest was never about beauty, she adds.
“It’s about being empowered. I didn’t need the crown. I did it to raise money and help the community. That was the only thing I set out to achieve. But I am also very grateful to be able to travel to Canada, and to meet the people in Altona.”
Wright is excited to host this year’s Manitoba Sunflower Festival royalty when they travel to Emerald next spring for their festival.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know this year’s queen, Kinzie Friesen, and having her and the other visitors explore Australia with me. Thank you so much for this great opportunity to be a part of your community. I’ve made a lot of very happy memories.”
