Women in rural NSW love a challenge, as well as the opportunities that come along with those challenges.
Being the 57th Sydney Royal Showgirl is something I couldn't have dreamed of doing, but now I am here, I plan to encourage more young women to get involved in this wonderful program.
I'm Stephanie Clancy, and a few short months ago I went through the whirlwind process to be announced The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl for 2019.
I am from the extremely small farming town of Pleasant Hills in the Riverina, although Walbundrie is the neighbouring town. Walbundrie is about 55 kilometres north of the Victorian border, which is made up of a lot of farming families that are incredibly community minded.
Being a showgirl at the Sydney Royal means you get to meet some incredible people and see how the country literally sets itself up in the city for a two week period.
We took on many different tasks throughout our time there, which included meeting the Governor of NSW, giving showbags to sick children at Westmead Hospital and my personal favourite was going through a mentoring program with a group of amazing, yet different women from a variety of careers to help us through the journey.
This was beneficial for both the mentor and the mentored, as I got to meet like minded woman who help you out in more ways than you could imagine.
"Where is Walbundrie?" was a question I was asked at least five to 10 times a day when I was in Sydney. I wasn't surprised as its not necessarily on any main highway, famous for a great sporting person or even known for the football/netball finals series it runs each September.
Luckily for me, I now have a platform to promote the small but wonderful events we have there throughout the year. Starting with our one-day show on the first Monday in October (NSW long weekend).
Now I'm definitely not going to preach that I have always loved the farm, because as a child I was the sleepiest, laziest and most carefree kid about.
I loved the wide open spaces and all the animals that I could feed, pet and harass, but it wasn't until the end of primary school that I found out how important agriculture was to me - especially because we were going through a drought.
it wasn't until the end of primary school that I found out how important agriculture was to me - especially because we were going through a drought.
- Stephanie Clancy
It was something that as a child you know is happening, but you never fully understand the impact it has on your family until you get older. Nowadays I am working in the agricultural industry and couldn't imagine being anywhere else.
Even though I'm not a teacher, I believe education is an important factor in a child's life.
In agriculture, there are so many misconceptions within the industry which can lead to unorthodox opinions on certain matters.
Being able to write children's books is a dream of mine, not only to include women in agriculture but also to teach kids about the whole process of how food gets to their plate or why the clothes they wear are so warm and comfy.
Over the next 12 months, you'll get to hear a few of my views for The Land as it is a privilege that the showgirl gets to undertake.
Hopefully you will enjoy hearing about my experiences as 2019 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl.
