Forbes' Sally Downie has been sashed second runner-up in the State-wide Showgirl competition at Sydney Royal Easter Show.
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Now she's home in Forbes, and the passion for the agricultural community that took her to Sydney Royal is stronger than ever.
As a dairy farmer and the council's drought coordinator, Sally is all too aware of the tough conditions our agricultural community is experiencing as the drought continues.
The images of dusty paddocks don't seem to be making national headlines, but the view for many of our farming families hasn't changed.
Many have now been feeding and carting water to stock daily for some 18 months and are looking to the skies for a desperately-needed autumn break and good winter.
Situations vary greatly, but people are getting to a point where they have used their stored fodder and spent the savings, Sally said.
Sydney Royal provided an excellent showcase of Australian agriculture, and someone asked Sally how.
"It just shows the character of farmers," she said. "They will do whatever they have to, to have good stock."
As drought coordinator, Sally has worked with farming families, helping identify what assistance they are eligible for and navigating the applications.
For those looking for a starting point, Forbes Shire Council has a list of drought support online at http://www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/residents/droughtsupport.aspx
Sally's role is also strategic, connecting government and non-government agencies offering drought services and helping to identify gaps in those services.
Through her own not-for-profit organisation Grassroots Blueprint, she is coordinating a one-day workshop in mental health first aid, with the council and Lifeline, for people working in the agricultural sector.
The May workshop is designed to give agronomists, vets and others in the sector the first steps to take if they are concerned about someone's wellbeing, she explained.
To register, contact Sally at sally.downie@forbes.nsw.gov.au or on 0447 155 646.
Sally is also encouraging the next group of young women to consider this year's Forbes Showgirl competition.
Details of an information night are to be announced, and Sally will be sharing what she has learned from her experience.
"It's definitely a good thing, you learn to have a voice, to express what you're passionate about," she said.