Sydney Royal Showgirl Maisie Morrow to open Merriwa Springtime Show

And, earlier this year the Upper Hunter celebrated her taking out a major title.

Maisie Morrow, 24, was the first Merriwa Showgirl to make the state finals in 2016, and went on to be crowned the 2017 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl in April.

The agronomist and livestock nutritionist at Scone Landmark, who completed her degree in rural science at Armidale, is still heavily involved in the Merriwa Show Society and local community.

Now, with the 2017 Merriwa Springtime Show just around the corner, Miss Morrow is set to open the show on September 16 and is urging young women in rural communities to get involved. 

“This year we celebrate 50 years of Merriwa Showgirl – the event is held biannually, with the next Merriwa Showgirl competition to be held in 2018 to ensure we have a healthy amount of young women attending,” she said.

But, Miss Morrow says just because applications aren’t open yet doesn’t mean young women can’t get involved.

“I would recommend getting involved in the showgirl ball, which is held on our off years, and this years’ will raise funds for the Where There’s a Will foundation,” she said.

“It will be great to get the girls together and generate interest for next years’ event.”

The Merriwa Pastoral, Agricultural, Horticultural and Industrial Association will host this years’ ball named A Prelude to Spring, held this Saturday at the Merriwa School of Arts.

There will be a live auction, food and drinks as well as entertainment with profits going towards Where There’s A Will, supporting and raising awareness of the ​significant mental health issues facing the Hunter community and beyond. 

Miss Morrow said the showtime initiative was a great avenue for rural communities and just another opportunity for like-minded women to get together and find out more about involving themselves with the showgirl competition.

“It is a fantastic thing for young women to be involved in and you don’t just have to be passionate about rural issues and agriculture – you could be a nurse or work in health or another area,” she said.

Merriwa Showgirl co-ordinator, Amanda Kemp, urged that the showgirl competition was not a beauty pageant and played a much broader purpose for young women.

“Girls must have a genuine interest in and be passionate about lifting rural communities,” she said.