Southlander wins 2023 New Zealand Rose of Tralee
Southlander wins 2023 New Zealand Rose of Tralee
“To be chosen to represent our country as the New Zealand Rose is such an unexpected and incredible honour and I hope I can do us proud."
Kelsi Wallace still can’t quite believe that in 2 months’ time she will be representing New Zealand on the World stage in Ireland…again.
The 27-year-old, who currently works in musculoskeletal injury prevention and holds a Master of Science in Sport, Exercise and Health, is the newly crowned New Zealand Rose of Tralee and will travel to Ireland in August for the Rose of Tralee Festival, one of the largest televised events in the country.
She is no stranger to the stage though, a talented Irish dancer, Wallace competed at the 2012 World Irish Dancing Championships in Belfast.
After a three-year hiatus from the international festival, Wallace was selected as the Southland Rose of Tralee to participate in the national competition in Auckland.
After a weekend of events, she was crowned the 2023 New Zealand Rose of Tralee.
The Rose of Tralee Festival is a yearly celebration of Irish culture and heritage. After a tour of Ireland, the festival culminates in the crowning of the Rose of Tralee, a yearlong ambassadorial role.
Women from all over the world including the UK, Europe, the Middle East, America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, send a representative to participate in the festival.
Wallace is excited for the opportunity to get back to Ireland.
“To be chosen to represent our country as the New Zealand Rose is such an unexpected and incredible honour and I hope I can do us proud. I have embraced Irish arts and culture throughout my life, and this has helped me to develop my own sense of identity within both Irish and New Zealand cultures. It is so special to be chosen to represent New Zealand as a third-generation Irish woman.”
Fundraising around work and part-time study is now a top priority.
“Although I am lucky to have my flights sponsored, there are so many other costs associated with competing in Tralee and every little bit helps.”
The Invercargill Irish Society is holding a fundraising concert on 23 July at the Ascot Park Hotel, where Wallace will dance, among other performances, before performing on live television in Ireland, watched by over 1.3 million viewers.