Since 1962, the Miss Easter Showgirl competition, now known as The Land Sydney Showgirl competition, has searched the state far and wide for women to represent rural New South Wales.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Local shows have each selected their most promising and passionate young women, who have a love for both their town and country Australia.
Each year, more than 500 women enter the competition in the hope of becoming a young female ambassador for rural NSW.
The search is on..
The 2017 Forbes Showgirl search has begun and this year’s new-look committee is looking for young women aged 18 to 24 to put their hand up and get involved.
Despite the lack of support for the Showgirl movement in Forbes over the last few years, returned committee member Susan Earl is determined to change the local stigma around the state-wide competition, which aims to find a young woman to act as an ambassador for rural New South Wales.
“[The Showgirl competition] is a very positive thing, you are putting yourself out there to be recognised.”
“We need to keep the beauty out of it. It’s not about looks, it is about intelligence, community issues, being able to talk and develop communication skills, but above all, it’s a little bit of fun,” she said.
Mrs Earl and fellow committee members Katherine Sweeney, Clare Wilson and Casey Maguire are ensuring the local competition is given the attention it deserves.
“I was on the committee for 13 years. After a 6 year break, I’ve come back,” Mrs Earl said.
“To be honest the showgirl movement in Forbes wasn’t happening, it lacked support.
“There is a bit of a stigma about it around the town, we didn’t want to see it fold,” she said.
Why you should enter..
The committee believe there are many benefits of the Showgirl competition on a young woman’s personal development.
Showgirl committee member and former Bedgerabong Showgirl Casey Maguire said the competition was a very positive experience that gave her the chance to represent and give back to rural NSW.
“I wanted to put myself out there. I gained personal growth, met people and felt like I was a part of something,” she said.
“I did it mostly to give back to my local community, to say thanks and support them and to find out more about Bedgerabong.”
According to the Sydney Royal Easter Show, The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition shines the spotlight on the brightest young women across country NSW.
“The event attracts high-calibre competitors who display confidence, rural knowledge, ambition and a passion to represent country-Australia.
“The competition has made a significant contribution to the advancement of women in regional and rural areas ever since the first Showgirl crown was awarded to Margaret Mackay of Dungog in 1962,” the website states.
The first Showgirl competition was held in 1962 and attracted women interested in strengthening links with local organisations.
Today, contestants are young rural women with purpose and ambition who have competed in their local Show Society and won a zone final to finally end up at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
The overall winning Showgirl will become an ambassador for rural NSW, the agricultural show movement as a whole, and the 2018 Sydney Royal Easter Show.
“We believe the Showgirl is an integral part of our local show and rural NSW with many benefits including learning individual growth, the opportunity to showcase and represent our wonderful town, to be proud of it,” Mrs Earl said.
The entrant process..
Showgirl judging will be held one week before the Forbes Show, on Saturday September 2.
This will include a 15 minute conversational interview on your ambitions, community involvement, personal interests and interest in rural issues.
“Judges are there to encourage, they want to encourage people in the local community who have a great interest in the Showgirl movement and are great supporters of the show circuit,” Mrs Earl said.
On Show Day, Friday September 8, entrants are invited to introduce themselves and mingle with the crowd and those who put the show together.
The Forbes Showgirl is announced at the official opening of the Show on Friday evening, and is presented with her sash and prizes.
“We have great sponsors. Many local businesses have been generous with their support, we have been able to collect some amazing prizes, not only for the Showgirl, but for entrants,” Mrs Earl said.
Register your interest..
To register your interest, you can contact Casey Maguire on 0439 416 192 or Clare Wilson 0459 279 188.
Or, feel free to email forbesshow@gmail.com.
