Cup of tea with a Queen – Allanis Melvin

MEET our Maraka Queen Entrants as they share a bit about themselves. Learn about their interests, dreams and plans for the future, what motivates them, who inspires them, what they love about Hinchinbrook, even their favourite food, and what it would mean to be crowned 2023 Maraka Queen.

Introducing Maraka Queen Entrant #6, Allanis Melvin.

Allanis is a 20-year-old third-year registered nursing student working at the Ingham Hospital and Townsville University Hospital. Having recently completed her studies with Central Queensland University, Allanis is in the process of attaining her registration, but her dream is to one day be the Nursing Manager at a rural hospital like the one in Ingham.

A lover of dance and musicals, Allanis is more often than not listening to musical soundtracks in her car and claims to know most songs from musicals and Broadway shows.

After recently losing her father, Allan to cancer, Ingham Palliative Care and the Australian Cancer Council have become causes close to her heart. She plans to donate leftover sponsorship money towards these causes and hopes that by taking part in the Maraka Queen Quest, she will make her father proud.

Allanis is grateful for the opportunities that being part of the Quest has to offer and has enjoyed sharing the experience with like-minded people and especially the quality bonding time it has given her with her Mum, Nonna, friends and twin sister, Emily.

Allanis Is sponsored by Spinfx Electrical, La Monro Hair and Beauty, Gofton Trucks and Enterprises, Hemmet Electrical, Galipo’s Midtown Meats and Enhanced Mental Fitness (Brendan Spina).

We had the chance to catch up with Allanis and get to know a little more about her over a cup of tea. So, join us. Make yourself a cuppa, sit back and enjoy getting to know Allanis.

Favourite colour: Pink.

Favourite food: Anything cooked in my Nonna’s kitchen.

Hobbies: Dancing, reading, gym and exercise. 

Favourite tv show/series/book: ‘Offspring’, ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘My Sister’s Keeper’. 

Where did you go to school: Ingham State Primary School and Gilroy Santa Maria College.

What made you decide to be a Maraka Queen Entrant: I love the idea of keeping the traditions in Ingham going and enjoy getting dressed up and meeting new people. 

What does it mean to you to be a Maraka Queen Entrant: Being a Maraka Queen entrant has given me the opportunity and ability to grow my confidence, meet new people, learn from like-minded people who share the goal of loving our little town and to promote local events.     

What would it mean to be crowned 2023 Maraka Queen: To be crowned 2023 Maraka Queen would mean I had the honour and the privilege of serving our community in a fun and meaningful way. I would be able to help to keep the traditions of Maraka alive and encourage others to put their hand up and have a go, which is very important to me. 

What have you enjoyed most about the Maraka Queen experience so far: Getting dressed up for all the events and socialising with new and old friends. Also, the bonding experience I have had with my Mum, Nonna, friends and twin sister while they have helped me plan my outfits and my float. 

What do you love most about living in Hinchinbrook: I love the relaxed and calm lifestyle and the beautiful surrounding scenery. I love our community and the willingness we have to support each other and help out. 

What are your fondest memories growing up in the district: My fondest memories growing up in the district are visiting our creeks and islands as well as spending part of my childhood living at the beaches with my family, riding my bike around Braemeadows and my grandparents cane farm and attending local events such as Maraka, the Italian Festival and the show. 

Where/what is your favourite place to visit in Hinchinbrook: My favourite places to visit are our creeks, beaches and Mount Fox. My father had a property at Mount Fox and I believe that area is breathtaking.

Where/what is your favourite place to visit in the world: I haven’t been to many places, but on a large scale I participated in a missionary trip to the Philippines and I found it life changing. I can’t wait to go back. On a small scale, I will always find great comfort and happiness visiting my Nonna and Nonno’s home. 

What is your idea of a dream holiday: My dream holiday is being surrounded by the people who love me, enjoying time by the pool and exploring new scenes.

Describe yourself in one word: Genuine. 

What is something interesting/ quirky that people would not know about you: I love musicals and more often than not I will be listening to their soundtracks in my car. There’s not many songs I don’t know from any musical or broadway show. 

What is your greatest achievement to date: Completing my Bachelor of Nursing. This took three years of hard work and determination to achieve, and I am looking forward to my career as a registered nurse. 

Who inspires you: My Mum, my Nonna and my twin sister, Emily. 

What motivates you: My late father, Allan. Ever since his passing, everything I do, I do it with 110% more effort for him. I hope by doing this he can continue to live through me and I’m making him proud. 

Do you have a cause close to your heart? And what is it: Ingham Palliative Care and the Australian Cancer Council, as my father recently lost his battle to cancer. Ingham Palliative Care is run by Ingham volunteers and all the money raised is spread throughout our district. My leftover sponsorship money will be going towards these causes. 

What is your favourite life motto/quote:  “What if everything you are going through right now, is preparing you for what you asked for”. 

What are your dreams/ plans for the future: I dream of becoming a registered nurse, specialising in intensive care paediatrics where I can hopefully care for members of the Hinchinbrook community while saving to build a house. I also hope to become a Nursing Manager of a rural hospital such as the amazing hospital we have right here in our district. 

We wish Allanis the best throughout her Maraka Queen journey and with all her future endeavours.