Fashion & Style
3 October, 2026
Heni crowned festival queen
Goulburn identity Heni Pearson has been crowned queen of this year’s Goulburn Lilac City Festival.
Goulburn identity Heni Pearson has been crowned queen of this year’s Goulburn Lilac City Festival.
Heni was presented with her sash and tiara as part of this morning’s official opening at the Goulburn-Mulwaree Council Chambers.
The ceremony was scheduled to be held in Belmore Park but was moved indoors because of the weather.
Heni raised approximately $8000 – part of which will go to her nominated charity, the Goulburn Inclusion Forum.
However, she told guests that her quest to be named this year’s queen had been more than about fundraising.
It had also been about bringing the community together.
Heni takes over the title from 2025 festival sovereign, Blake Robertson, a keen history buff who made some history of his own last year when he became the first male to take out the honour in the event’s (then) 74-year history.
A number of former queens are taking part in this year’s 75th anniversary celebrations – including 1959 winner Janice James (Cooper) who has travelled from Queensland for the event.
Organisers are expecting approximately 17 former queens (and sovereign) to take part in Sunday’s street parade.
The festival was officially opened by former Goulburn resident and media personality, Kate Richie, who shot to fame as Sally Fletcher on popular Australian soap opera Home and Away.
Kate was born at Goulburn Base Hospital in 1978 and moved away when she was just three years of age but said she was “quite sentimental” and it had been “lovely” to be invited back to officially open this year’s festival.
“Goulburn has a very special place in my heart and in the heart of my family,” she said.
Kate described the 75th anniversary as a “remarkable milestone” and said it was a testament to the strength of the Goulburn-Mulwaree community.
She paid tribute to all the people who had invested their time and energy into making the festival a success over the years.
“Seventy-five years of anything doesn’t happen by chance,” she said.
Goulburn-Mulwaree mayor Nina Dillon was positive despite the weather.
“We need the rain desperately,” she said.
“We’re going to have a good time anyway.”
Cr Dillon also thanked the festival committee.
She said year after year the festival brought people together and helped showcase the city.
Hannah Orr was named this year’s senior princess with Ivy Barber taking out the title of junior princess.
Xavier Avalos and Thomas Long were named senior and junior princes respectively.
Warrigal Goulburn Aged Care was named the overall winner of this year’s window display competition while Bruce and Kim Mills from Garfield House in Hovell Street took out the major prize in this year’s garden competition.
Council also used this morning’s ceremony to hand out five Goulburn-Mulwaree Awards to well-deserving local residents.
The award – which recognises the outstanding community work and contributions made by volunteers – was presented to Jacki Waugh, Heather West, Robert Fletcher (and ‘Hephner’ the alpaca), Natalie Jeffrey and Anne Wiggan.
Photos Stuart Carless.
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