IT WAS a double celebration in Sydney at the weekend as the granddaughter of a Bribbaree couple was crowned the 2016 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl.
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It was Grenfell’s time to shine as their competition entrant Grace Eppelstun took out the number one spot in the state-wide competition, announced in the Big Top ampitheatre at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Grace is the daughter of former Young resident Jackie Hunter (nee Eppelstun) and granddaughter of Janice Hunter and the late Max Hunter of Young.
But in a stroke of good fortune Young Showgirl Emily Madge came second in the competition - clinching the top two places for Zone 6.
It was a history-making moment for us as Emily is the first showgirl to reach these dizzying heights in the state finals, rivalled only by Annie Snodgrass (nee Gordon) who secured fourth place in 1978.
Young P&A Society vice president Sam Reynolds said it was the highest placing Young had ever achieved in the competition.
“And it was such a tight competition - all the entrants were high quality - so it was very exciting,” she told the Witness yesterday.
“I spoke with Emily straight afterwards and she was still shocked - she stood there like a stunned mullet,” she said laughing.
The girls faced four days of judging at the Sydney Royal Show which had them attending numerous official events including luncheons and formal dinners.
“I know that Emily would have put everything she had into the competition - she’s that sort of girl - so to see her succeed was a really proud moment.”
Sam said she and show president Tony Starr attended the presentation and they were both proud of Emily’s efforts.
“She’s a good representative for the town,” Sam said.
Grace Eppelstun told The Grenfell Record she was blown away by her win on Sunday.
“I talked myself out of it this morning. I asked the judge's what they were looking for and based on their answer I came to the conclusion that I wasn't the best ambassador for the agricultural show movement,” she said.
“But I know all 14 state finalists are amazing ambassadors for their own communities.”
Fortunately the two girls travelled down together in the same car as they both remain in Sydney for the duration of the show to conduct official duties.
