IT'S been 20 years since a Young woman has qualified for the state round of the The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl competition.
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But at the weekend Emily Madge was one of three showgirls selected to represent Western region at the 2016 Royal Easter Show.
The girls were selected from 23 entrants at the Zone 6 judging held in Parkes on Saturday night.
The 2015 showgirl winners at their respective shows in Group 10 and 11 including Bourke, Cobar, Nyngan, Gilgandra, Dubbo, Narromine, Wellington, Cumnock, Peak Hill, Trundle, Parkes, Eugowra, Forbes, Bedgerabong, Condobolin, Grenfell, Cowra, Canowindra, Blayney, Orange, Bathurst, Murrumburrah-Harden and Young converged on Parkes for the judging and the announcement of the three finalists at the formal evening dinner.
Judges Tim Capp (vice president, Agricultural Societies Council of NSW (ASC)), Jessica Apperley (2010 Royal Showgirl finalist) and Jessie Davies (The Land) had an early start on Saturday morning at the Coventry Room at Parkes Shire Council, interviewing each of the Showgirls individually during the day.
They joined the showgirls for a luncheon at the Aastro Dish, where the showgirls were judged on personality, confidence, ambition and life goals, general knowledge, rural knowledge, presentation and speech.
They were also required to demonstrate knowledge of their local community and current affairs, and apart from their potential ambassadorial qualities, their involvement in and experience of rural affairs.
The Parkes Leagues Club was decorated in a vintage theme for the evening dinner with the assistance of the Parkes Floral Art Group.
The evening dinner at the Parkes Leagues Club saw each showgirl interviewed on stage in front of the almost 300 attendees, before the announcement of the three finalists to go forward to the Royal Easter show in March was made.
Agricultural Societies Council president Tim O’Brien had the pleasant task of announcing the three finalists – Emily Madge representing Young, Camilla Kenny of Dubbo, and Grace Eppelstun of Grenfell.
The last Young Showgirl to represent Young was Kirrily Jackson in 1996.
Other showgirls from Young to make it to the state level were:
1995 - Lisa Simpson (nee Cameron).
1993 - Karen Whittaker (nee Shannon).
1978 - Annie Snodgrass (nee Gordon) - Annie is the only girl from Young to have ever placed at state, coming fourth.
1971 - Kerre West.
1970 - Rae Pottenger (nee Bowler).
1969 - Joy Hall (nee Schuhkraft).
“These are all the girls Young has ever had at the state showgirl competition,” Young Show Society vice president and showgirl coordinator Sam Reynolds said.
“It's a statewide competition and I don't think when people enter they realise how rewarding the experience can be,” she said.
“On behalf of everyone from Young Show Society, we'd like to wish Emily the best of luck.
“She's made us all very proud, we will be there to support her - win, lose or draw she's done the town proud.”
Emily will head to Sydney from March 13 to 20, with the announcement of the winner made on March 20.
Young Show Society would like to thank the following people:
- The lovely entrants who entered into the 2015 competition.
- The judges Annette and Mick Alexander, and Kaliegh Smerdon.
- Pat Fletcher and her crew for the catering.
- Jae Cross, Bill Daly and Jim Lamb for all of their help.
- Karana Weddings, Kay McDonald, Moppity Vineyards and Grove Estate for their sponsorship.
- Everyone for attending and supporting all the girls through their interview process.
