BERRY Showgirl Caroline Miller and Blacktown Showgirl Dana Velasco have been selected to represent Zone 2 at the State Final of the 2016 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl competition next month.
Hosted by Camden Show Society at the Gledswood Homestead and Winery, 11 showgirls from across Agricultural Societies Council of NSW (ASC) Groups 4 and 5, impressed the judges with their passion for agriculture and its continuing importance to Australian society.
Shining through though were two young women who will be great ambassadors for their show societies, their towns and their families.
Caroline Miller, 24, was born and bred on her family’s dairy farm in Berry and volunteers regularly at the Berry show.
With qualifications in floristry and small business management Caroline is keen to see her fledgling florist business grow and succeed throughout the Shoalhaven area.
Caroline is also keen to encourage and help other rural women to turn their hobbies and passions into successful businesses.
Dana Velasco is also passionate about helping and inspiring other young women to achieve their potential in agriculture and life in general.
A paralegal, with a Bachelor of Laws degree from UTS, Dana is also a leader at Oasis Youth Group, Blacktown and a board member of GHARA Trust.
Being an ambassador to the youth of Blacktown and eventually starting her own NGO to help serve people and give back to her community are her goals.
The Zone 2 judges were ASC president Tim O’Brien, Parkes; 2013 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl winner Kennedy Tourle, Dubbo, and The Land’s representative, Malcolm Sear, North Richmond.
The other finalists were Camden Showgirl Danielle Rodney; Picton Showgirl Jasmin Gardener; Castle Hill Showgirl Natalie Bell; Hawkesbury Showgirl Lucy Kuipers; St Ives Showgirl Natalie Hoskins; Albion Showgirl Caitlin Emmerich; Kiama Showgirl Lucy Marsden; Nowra Showgirl Andrea Lewis and Milton Showgirl Meredith Woodcock.
Special guests on the night included Jessica Apperley, ASC of NSW Next Generation; Kathryn Apps, President of Picton Show Society; Michael Brennan, President Kiama Show Society and Group 5 South Coast and Tablelands President; Phil Close, President of Hawkesbury Show Society; Ray Connelly, President Albion Park Show Society; Lyndsey Douglas, MC; Wilma Drower, President of Blacktown Show Society; Peter Gooch, President Castle Hill Show Society and Group 4 Cumberland President; Peter Hands - President Berry Show Society; Susan Hill, Secretary Picton Show Society; Roy Johnston, President Milton Show Society; Helen Kirton , Group 4 Cumberland Secretary; Jo Martin, Camden Show Secretary; Sue Sharpe, Group 5 South Coast and Tablelands Secretary; Hugh Southwell, President Camden Show Society; Elaine Tracey, President St Ives Show Society and Wayne Willmington, President Luddenham Show Society.