Camden and Kiama Showgirls are the next wave of young and ambitious women to progress to the Sydney Royal Show The Land Showgirl competition.
The Zone 2 competition was held over the weekend and hosted by Nowra Show Society president Tom Cochrane.
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Representing Camden Show Society, congratulations goes to Nicole Sandrone.
Nicole, 24, was born and raised on her parents' Cobbitty property and attended Cobbitty Public School, before completing her Higher School Certificate at Magdalene Catholic High School in 2012, achieving a band 6 in industrial technology and a certificate II in hospitality.
After completing high school, Nicole was accepted into Western Sydney University, where she studied a Bachelor of Business and Commerce.
After studying hard and working in casual positions for the Camden Show Society, Nicole completed her degree majoring in accounting.
In 2016, Nicole commenced full-time work for Pinnacle Tax and Accounting located in Camden.
To further her career, in September 2016 she commenced a Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).
By July 2018, Nicole had successfully passed her final unit and completed three years of practical experience. As of February 1, she was able to call herself a chartered accountant.
Nicole has a passion for animals and refers to herself as an animal lover. In her spare time she enjoys horse riding, bushwalking and water skiing.
Nicole has performed in equestrian events over the years and successfully competed at many agricultural shows including Camden Show, Bathurst Royal Show and Sydney Royal Show.
Nicole became a member of the Camden Show at 16 and was previously a member under her proud parents Leanne and Dennis Sandrone.
It has been Nicole’s childhood dream to enter the competition after witnessing Showgirls handing out champion sashes at one of the many horse riding events she has attended over the years, and thought “I want to be like them one day”.
"This was my last year to fulfil my childhood dream due to study and work commitments," she said.
"I feel very humbled by the experience and extremely proud to be an ambassador and represent Camden at the Sydney Royal Show.
"I hope to be an inspiration to other young women, introducing them to the showgirl movement and connecting with them via their communities and shows."
Representing Kiama Show Society, congratulations goes to Sarah Young.
Sarah, 21, graduated from Gerringong Public School in 2009 and graduated from Kiama High School in 2015.
She went on to study at the University of Wollongong, studying for a Bachelor of Primary Education, which she aims to complete at the end of the year.
Sarah has been attending the Kiama Show for 21 years and has not missed an event, her involvement has changed over time from entering in pavilion exhibits, working on the entry gate, selling raffle tickets and helping with the set up and pull down of the event.
She is now a pet show steward with her grandparents, who helped position her where she is today.
Sarah travelled to Cambodia at age 14 to assist with building homes and developed a passion to help the most vulnerable. This travel opened her eyes and she is now fully aware of how blessed she is and values how rich and beautiful her hometown and country is.
Sarah also has a passion for Rotary, which her paternal grandparents have been heavily involved with for many years. Sarah’s Rotary involvement began with her attending one of the Rotary Youth Leadership of Enrichment (RYLA) events in year 10.
She was selected to participate in the Rotary Youth leadership award in 2018.
"This proved to be a life changing experience for me, pushing me right out of my comfort zone," she said.
Sarah is a member of the Gerringong Anglican Church and is involved with helping the kids' church and working at the vacation care program, which her mum had developed.
Sarah was named Young Citizen of the Year for Kiama Municipality in 2018 and awarded Outstanding Young Citizen for Kiama MP Gareth Ward's Electorate Award the same year.
Sarah has a desire to lead and motivate whenever she is given an opportunity and enjoys public speaking.
Sarah is part of a third generation of Kiama Show members and the granddaughter of a South Coast dairy farmer, making her a suitable candidate for Showgirl.
"I have watched the showgirl competition with great awe and interest for many years," she said.
"I was fortunate enough during my mid-teens to tag along to one of the zone finals and was absolutely amazed at the many and varied achievements of the entrants.
"2019 seemed to be the perfect time for me to finally see what this journey was all about."
Sarah is looking forward to the new opportunities that lay ahead and on her own personal development, and excited to see what she can bring to the Kiama community.
