Miss O’Riley won the crown at the Golden Gateway Festival Ball where six girls competed for the title.

The 16-year-old is involved in community events such as Clean Up Australia Day and McDonald’s McHappy Day.

Her festival entry form said she is considering a career as a paramedic or in health and beauty.

Hobbies and interest included netball, listening to music, being creative with hair and beauty, being creative and playing drums and piano.

Miss O’Riley will now join Mr Keith at official events throughout the festivals nine-day calendar of events.

The bowls club hosted the pair for a royal face-off on the greens.

Under the supervision of club coach Val Tonkin, they learnt the basics of the sport before competing against each other, with the winner claiming royal bragging rights.

The club’s Peter Kaczynski said the final margin between the pair was close, after Miss O’Riley defeated Mr Keith by one shot, to win the match.

“Both were naturals at bowls, and after a minimal amount of coaching, it was game on as the king played the Queen with bragging rights,” he said.

“In a closely fought match the queen struck yet another blow for the female bowlers in Ararat.”

The Golden Gateway king and queen have a busy schedule of events to attend throughout the week.

The pair made an appearance at Ararat Little Athletics on Thursday night.

They also attended an event at the Ararat Clay Target Club.

Other events during have included the mystery bus tour on Tuesday, the gold dig event at Green Hill Lake on Saturday and a variety concert on Sunday.

A lunch at Chalamber Golf Club on Friday from 12pm is still available.

The festival will reach its conclusion following the annual float parade down Barkly Street on Sunday.

It will follow the billycart street race which is just before the parade.

Parade organisers are expecting Barkly Street to be packed out with more than 300 people taking part in the parade or lining the street for the procession.