Wauchope and Bangalow show societies are jubilant after their Showgirls were picked to represent Agricultural Societies Council (ASC) Zone 1 in The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl competition at Sydney Royal Show this April.
The two lucky Showgirls include Jaclyn Lindsay from Wauchope and Isabel Boyle from Bangalow.
Miss Lindsay is studying early childhood and primary education through the University of New England, Armidale, but also has a strong involvement in the family’s dairy farm, where Jerseys are a feature. Among the family’s 60 milking cows are her own handful of registered Jerseys which form the foundation of her own stud. Her involvement in agriculture also extends beyond the farm gate to stewarding in the beef and junior judging sections of her local show, she is a member of the Hastings and Manning diary youth, and is involved with Footprints in Ag. This is an agricultural youth group initiative through which participants work to promote Mid North Coast agriculture industries and country shows.
Miss Boyle, meanwhile, works as a youth worker dealing daily with homeless, disadvantaged children and teenagers, while also studying a Bachelor of Psycological Sciences through Griffith University. In addition to her day job, she also runs a health and fitness advisory business with her partner called Juicy Body Transformation. She has a growing involvement in her local show and a long term goal of creating more incentives and opportunities for young people to remain in country towns.
To be picked for Sydney, the two winners had to beat a competitive line-up of 12 other finalists. These included Emily Gilbert, Alstonville; Zarah O’Sullivan, Camden Haven; Jenna Bailey, Casino; Kym Ferrington, Coffs Harbour; Tammera Connor, Grafton; Shania Carter, Kyogle, Millie Burnett, Lismore; Kristi Lawrence Maclean; Molly Barlow, Mullumbimby; Delani O’Brien, Tweed River (Murwillumbah); Victoria Lee, Taree, and Amy Kearnly, Woodenbong.
The Zone 1 final was the first 2017 zone selection across the state, with Zone 7 judging this weekend at Hillston, as well as Zone 3 judging, to be held at Cooma. The Zone 1 final was hosted by Coffs Harbour Show Society and judges included 2009 Camden Showgirl Lauren Elkins, ASC of NSW delegate Bob Robertson and The Land’s editor, Andrew Norris.
The event was celebrated with a black tie dinner at the Novotel Pacific Bay at Coffs Harbour and had in attendance the 2016 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Grace Eppelstun, from Grenfell. This was the first time since 1999 the Coffs Harbour Show Society has hosted the zone final.
- Visit www.theland.com.au/news/sydney-royal/ to read about the “Road to Sydney”