In 2019, The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl competition will move into its 57th year. Nearly six incredible decades of celebrating young women from all walks of life, right across NSW.
By supporting their ambitions and passions, this competition has provided a platform for so many young women to chase something bigger for themselves.
Without the unwavering support from The Agricultural Societies Council of NSW, The Royal Agricultural Societies Council of NSW and The Land Newspaper, I, along with hundreds of young women across NSW, wouldn't have the opportunity to be a part of such a prestigious competition and it is something I will be forever grateful for.
My name is Nikki Gibbs, and in 2018 I had the honour of being named The Land Sydney Royal showgirl. I grew up on a small property outside of Wauchope, and have been lucky enough to be exposed to a diverse agricultural landscape.
Throughout my childhood I had the privilege of loving the land we lived on and the animals who called it home.
To this day I still surround myself with my love of all thing animals and pursued a career in veterinary nursing, and work for a small animal clinic close to home.
Year to year my favourite time would quickly roll around, and the Wauchope Show was on again. I am so fortunate to follow in my family's footsteps and be a part of something very special.
For at least four generations we have always had a family member volunteering, and when the opportunity to compete in showgirl arose, I knew it was a great opportunity to give back to those who have supported me through my life.
I want it to be known that by participating in your local showgirl competition, it will be something that will change your life for the better. I know all too well how daunting it is to put your hand up and give something a go, but I can say it has been the best decision I ever made.
This past year has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I have attended a number of functions from dinners to dances, seminars to shows, judging and volunteering, mentoring and guest speaking. The opportunities I have been provided with have opened doors I never thought possible and allowed me to stretch outside of my comfort zone.
I can honestly say our showgirl movement has a strong future and I look forward to seeing where it can take the next group of young women. I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported and guided me this year, namely my family, the ASC and RAS. It's been a huge adventure and I look forward to the next chapter!
