Merriwa Showgirl Maisie Morrow and Rydal Showgirl Isabel Hawken have been selected to represent Zone 5 at the state final of the 2017 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl competition next month.
Hosted by Oberon Show Society at Mayfield Gardens, 15 showgirls from across Agricultural Societies Council of NSW (ASC) Groups 3 and 12, impressed the judges with their passion for agriculture and their plans to promote the role of women in this male dominated world.
Maisie Morrow, 24, is an agronomist and livestock nutritionist with a degree in Rural Science.
With a busy social and sporting life she also finds time to be involved with the local Rural Fire Brigade, Merriwa Show Society, Merriwa CWA and the Scone Grasslands Society just to name a few.
Maisie sees the role of women in agriculture as an integral part of farming life and wants to help empower them to speak up for gender equality and to get involved in the endless opportunities that are available.
Isabel Hawken, 24, is a registered nurse with a degree in Nursing (with distinction) and a Graduate Certificate in Intensive care.
She is now well on her way to achieving her goal of working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Keen on gardening (but no green thumbs) and helping on the farm she also loves to go bushwalking and hiking.
To make a difference in the world of rural health is her passion and soon she will be moving back to the central west to realise her dreams and become even more involved with her community.
The Zone 5 judges were ASC vice president Peter Gooch; Pru McCormack; 2013 National Rural Ambassador and The Lands representative, Malcolm Sear.
The other finalists were Oberon Showgirl Dominica Koudrin, Lithgow Showgirl Amanda Pillidge, Mudgee Showgirl Brooke Sewell, Gulgong Showgirl Lisa Byfield, Muswellbrook Showgirl Annie Clendinning, Singleton Showgirl Simone Burrows, Dungog Showgirl Caitlin Muddle, Dunedoo Showgirl Mikaela Foster, Coonabarabran Showgirl Nikki McWhirter, Maitland Showgirl Jessica Allen, Morrisett Showgirl Hannah Greenshields, Gresford Showgirl Jacqueline Myhill and Stroud Showgirl Chloe Dalrymple-Hutchinson.
Special guests were Oberon mayor Cathy Sajowitz and her husband Dietmar, councillors Clive McCarthy and his wife Jenny as well as the zone 5 co-ordinators Glenys Newstead and Cheryl Burt.
