Heather, daughter of show president Andrew and secretary Anne Earney, said she had enjoyed exploring the show with fellow entrant Keely McNeill and judge, Rydal Showgirl, Isabel Hawken.

Heather said her day as a showgirl entrant broadened her experience of “the best little show in the west”.

“It was actually so nice to look at more of the show, to see everyone else doing what they do,” she said.

“Normally I see the cows, but seeing what we pull off together as a community was amazing.

“A big thank you to everyone involved, all the stewards and all the exhibitors.” 

The Earneys moved to Bedgerabong when Heather was about 10 years old, and her family has been long involved in the annual community event.

“My grandad – Dan Herbert – is a life member and it’s always been something mum is heavily involved in,” she explained.

Heather herself has been exhibiting stud cattle at shows with Michelle Alcorn from Jemalong since she was in Year 7.

“I owe a lot to Michelle,” she said.

At the show’s official opening, she also paid tribute to her parents’ hard work.

Heather has moved back to the farm at Bedgerabong, continuing her honours project for her Rural Science degree with the University of New England.

Her project with the NSW Department of Primary Industries looks at how pelvic size relates to lamb survival in Merino ewes.

“The industry loses $540 million a year through lamb loss and dystocia, difficult birth, makes up the biggest portion of that,” she said.

With scholarships from the Royal Agricultural Society Foundation and Australian Wool Education, Heather has been able to travel to conferences, events and shows to broaden her knowledge and network.

She’s looking forward to serving as Bedgerabong’s Showgirl representative.

“I’m excited to see where it goes, meet other girls with the same mindset,” she said.

Show photos in Friday’s Advocate.