A PRIMARY school teacher and a psychology student will represent Zone 5 at the State final of the 2013 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl competition at Sydney Royal this month.
The Zone 5 final was hosted by the Gosford Show Society with 15 showgirls competing from across the region.
Mendooran Showgirl Ashleigh Skinner, 22, is a psychology student at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, who intends to use her skills upon graduation to help regional communities.
Mendooran Showgirl Ashleigh Skinner - click on this image to see more pics in our online gallery of the Zone 5 Showgirls.
She said psychology services in many parts of the bush were severely lacking and she hoped to bridge the gap.
Ashleigh also plans to complete a doctorate in both clinical and child psychology.
Rylstone Kandos Showgirl Gemma Oakes, 23, is a primary school teacher at Trangie who this year took on the challenge of teaching kindergarten.
Rylstone Kandos Showgirl Gemma Oakes - click on this image to see more pics in our online gallery of the Zone 5 Showgirls.
Originally from Rylstone, Gemma completed an education degree in 2010 at Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, and took up a teaching position at Trangie the following year.
Her passion is education in rural areas and providing high quality teaching and equal opportunities for all students regardless of background or where they live.
The final was judged by Agricultural Societies Council of NSW vice president Tim O'Brien; Courtyard Marriot sales manager Ravi Singh, and The Land's markets editor Karen Bailey.
Ashleigh and Gemma will be among 16 State finalists who spend a week in Sydney as part of their showgirl experience, during which they will attend a whirlwind of functions.
These functions will include a welcome lunch hosted by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), the Excellence in Agriculture Day Ceremony and dinner also hosted by the RAS, a cocktail function hosted by The Land, dinner hosted by the ASC, and an official Government House reception.
The young women will also visit Westmead Children's Hospital and Fairfax Media's North Richmond office where The Land is printed.
The winners will be announced during a special presentation in the Ampitheatre at Sydney Showground on Saturday, March 30.
The 2013 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl will take home $10,000 in prize money, with the first runner-up receiving $5000, the the second runner-up $2500.
