The search is on for a young female ambassador to represent rural NSW and the agricultural show movement.
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With a raft of official and informal duties both nationally and locally, well over 120 show societies across the State are now on the hunt for women aged 18 – 25 with ambition, drive and purpose to act as an ‘official an emissary for ag’ with entries now open for the 2015 Showgirl competition.
Held in conjunction with naming rights sponsor, The Land, the Showgirl Competition is definitely not a beauty pageant.
Entrants must have a genuine interest in, and knowledge of, rural NSW and encourages the participation and awareness of issues faced by women in rural NSW.
Contestants are judged on personality, confidence, ambition and life goals, general knowledge, rural knowledge, presentation and speech. Finalists must also demonstrate knowledge of their local community and current affairs. In addition to their potential ambassadorial qualities, contestants are also judged on their involvement in and experience of rural affairs.
According to Agricultural Societies Council of NSW president, Tim O’Brien, contestants continue to be young rural women with purpose and ambition and the Competition plays a significant role in the overall development of rural youth, attracting strong support from entrants, sponsors and organisers.
“This year marks the 53rd staging of the competition and its importance to agriculture and the challenges it faces has never been more relevant.
“In 1962, 20 young ladies entered the first Showgirl Competition and the winner was a sash, silver tray and 250 pounds, as first prize.
“Today over 500 young women annually enter the competition throughout NSW with competitions being held in over 120 Show Societies with a $10,000 prize purse for our 1st placegetter.
Mr O’Brien was at length to also point out however, that the cash and prizes on offer were almost uniformly not the reason entrants took part.
“The prestige and pride that comes with knowing you’re representing not only your town, show society, and family but agriculture as a whole is a commonality which hasn’t changed in all the year’s the competition has been running”.
The Grenfell PAH&I Society are now calling for young women in the Weddin Shire to enter for this year’s Grenfell Show. For any information regarding the Grenfell showgirl quest please contact Lorrette Walmsley on 6343 8247 or 0428 438 274 or alternatively Joan Eppelstun on 6343 1033 or 0427 431 033.
