Forbes’ first showgirl and our own Sydney Royal winner are among special guests returning to town this month for a special celebration.
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Forbes Show will this year sash its 55th Showgirl, and candidates for that title as well as many previous title winners will gather at the Forbes Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel on August 25 to mark the occasion.
1963 Showgirl Sandra Low, now Sippe, and 1999 Sydney Royal Showgirl Fiona Woodburn, now Blundell, are two of the day’s guest speakers.
Organisers, this year’s Showgirl committee, are planning a sensational event including a trip down memory lane with outfits from former showgirls’ wardrobes.
Sandra recalls that the Showgirl competition was a pretty recent innovation when she first became involved, something to emphasise the value of rural shows and country towns.
She had moved to Sydney and was studying pharmacy in the year she was sashed Miss Showgirl, but had many fond memories of the annual show.
Sideshow alley, the boxing tents, animal displays, the skills on show in the many pavilion exhibits.
“The show was a terrifically exciting event,” Sandra said.
Forbes Showgirl that year was treated to a lap around the show ring in a sports car, Sandra then went on to regional and Sydney Royal judging.
She completed her studies at Sydney University where she met her husband, the rest of her story will have to wait until next Saturday’s luncheon.
1998 Showgirl and our own Sydney Royal winner Fiona, now living with her husband and daughter in Sydney, is looking forward to the event.
This year marks 20 years since she was sashed Forbes’ Miss Showgirl, she went on to win the State title at Sydney Royal Easter Show the following year.
It was the start of a very busy time, travelling the State visiting country shows with her now husband Mark, conducting official openings and judging showgirl competitions.
It was, she reflects now, a wonderful way for her to stay connected to the bush she loved even as she lived and worked in Sydney.
The celebration luncheon will also be a chance to meet this year’s nominees for the Showgirl title, and the Showgirl competition is an experience Fiona recommends.
Read more: Grace crowned our 2017 Miss Showgirl
“What have you got to lose?” she said.
“You will meet a heap of new people and have the chance to practice key life skills.
“It emulates the type of process you need to go through in a work setting.”
Fiona is looking forward to returning to Forbes for the celebratory lunch.
“Anything that gets women together to share stories, have a bit of fun and take a couple of hours away from the harsh reality (of the current season) is a great thing,” she said.
“Things are just dry, dry, dry everywhere.
“I can’t even imagine what it’s like for farmers.”
Ticket sales have been extended, contact Susan Earl at dsearlx@gmail.com by Friday to book a place.
Read also: Bedgerabong Show is on this Saturday
