The judging panel for St Pat’s 2025 Fashions on the Field competition are excited to see the outback come alive with style in March.
Georgie Rice, Sara Flower-Jones and Lisa Ferragine will have the hard job on race day of selecting the best dressed patrons.
Meet your judges
Georgie Rice
Georgie Rice’s career path into fashion started as a teenager when she worked in her parents successful clothing store in Adelaide. Her father, Bob, was an international brand buyer for well-loved Adelaide department store John Martins, and under his guidance she cultivated a keen ability to discern stylish and well-coordinated women’s fashion garments.
After a successful career working for American Express and Qantas Airways Georgie joined her father in his fashion business developing her skills before setting up her own business in 2010, marketing women’s fashion labels and jewellery from Australian, New Zealand & European Designers to her broad clientele across SA, NT and WA. Georgie is passionate about supporting her clients in their specific needs and ensuring the best outcomes for their businesses.
Sara Flower-Jones
Fashion Sales Manager / Fashion Industry Expert
With over 25 years’ of experience in the fashion industry, Sara Flower-Jones has built a career founded on a deep passion and love of fashion, style, design, and sales excellence. Starting out in high-end children’s clothing from France, Sara quickly rose through the ranks, expanding expertise into product development for major Australian retailers. Eventually, the focus shifted to women’s fashion, where she has thrived in their current role as Sales Manager at Nicoletta Pty Ltd since 2014. Nicoletta is one of Australia’s premiere Women’s Special Occasion Dress brands, sold into boutiques worldwide.
Sara brings a unique combination of industry knowledge and creativity to every project. Having worked closely with Victoria and New South Wales contestants for Miss Universe Australia, Sara played a critical role in selecting evening wear designs that elevated the events fashion appeal. A trusted expert and advocate for contemporary fashion, Sara’s insights and judgement are sought-after in professional and personal circles.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid lover of all things fashion and enjoys the company of her husband, Matt and their two beloved fur babies, Indigo and Pilot. A passionate traveller, Sara loves discovering new places, meeting new people, and experiencing different cultures. When not immersed in the fashion world or traveling, Sara loves socialising with friends and family, cherishing moments of connection and fun. Whether it’s enjoying casual get-together, attending fashion events, or working at the Nicoletta Melbourne Showroom, Sara values building strong personal connections and relationships.
“Thank you to the St Pat’s Racing Meet Team for inviting me to be a part of the 60th Anniversary Race Day, I am honoured and excited to be a part of this racing milestone.” said Sara.
Lisa Ferragine
Sales Administration Manager | Fashion Industry Professional
With over 20 years’ of experience in the fashion industry, Lisa Ferragine has established herself as a trusted expert in sales administration. Having worked with renowned Australian brands such as Copper St, Wish, Target, and Harris Scarfe, Lisa has built a diverse skill set across both production and sales roles. Her extensive background has made her an invaluable asset to the industry, with a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of the fashion sales landscape.
Currently serving as the Sales Administration Manager at Nicoletta, Lisa plays a vital role within the Melbourne office team, ensuring the smooth operation of the sales department. Her meticulous approach to managing day-to-day activities and supporting the team has made her a key figure in the success of the company.
Outside of her professional life, Lisa is a devoted mother to two beautiful girls, Isabella and Sienna, with whom she shares a close bond. A lover of shopping and travel, Lisa enjoys exploring new places and experiences. Above all, her biggest focus is spending quality time with her family, making cherished memories, and balancing her passions with her personal life.
“I feel honoured to be a part of the judging panel at St Pat Race Day 60th Anniversary this year, I cannot thank you enough for this opportunity” said Lisa.
Judi Hoare
Broken Hill local Judi attended her first Sat Pats Race Day in 1969 at 18 years of age as was crowned Miss Teenager.
“It was a very exciting day, I recall having to work until 12.30 that Saturday, which was common for retail stores at the time. I remember hurrying home to get changed into my race day outfit – a dove grey mini dress, with a peter pan collar and long puff sleeves, with pintucking on the bodice.
“I had a matching dove grey floppy felt hat with a ribbon band with a buckle in the front. My accessories for this outfit were maroon platform shoes with a tongue up the front which had a large buckle. I had a maroon handbag which featured two straps with buckles on the front, and I wore my long hair in a ponytail tied with a maroon scarf.”
Back in those days you did not enter into the fashions of the field, you were approached and selected by the various judges around the course. I remember being very shocked when I was selected. At around 3pm, the judging for Miss Teenager was underway, the participants paraded on a stage that was down on the lawn in front of the rails facing towards the grandstand. The judges were David Flackman from ABC TV and Miss NSW (I can’t remember her name, but I still remember her loving my shoes). There were quite a few of us in the final and I couldn’t believe it when I was presented to Dr. Gordan Ormandy as Miss Teenager 1969.
St Pats has been very good to me and my husband as a few years later we were lucky enough to win a fully paid trip to Fiji, when our members ticket was drawn from the hat.
My husband and I have been regulars at St Pats over the intervening years, rushing home from the meeting to attend the ball that evening, many happy memories of great times had in the past.
When our son was a student at the local Catholic School we would attend the ‘games’ night on the Friday prior to the race day, and I would volunteer for the school in the various outlets the school were responsible for on the race day.
In September 2019 I was approached by Andrew Schmidt (the now President of St Pats) to come on board as the Secretary, a position I held until 2022. I knew nothing about racing but I had a lot of help and found it a very rewarding and exciting role.
When I was asked to be a judge for the new category dedicated to 60’s fashion I was excited and happy to say yes. I have always had an interest in fashion, and think the 60’s fashion was very exciting, who wouldn’t be inspired by the likes of Jacquie Kennedy and so many others of that era.
The 2025 Fashions on the Field competition features an additional category – Best Dressed 1960s inspired outfit in celebration of our 60th anniversary. This category will be open to men and women aged 18 years and above.
