The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition

The Competition aims to find a young female Ambassador for Rural NSW.  The winning Showgirl of each local Show Society is selected by a panel of three judges and remains Showgirl until the next year’s Show.  Her role involves many official and informal duties locally, nationally and overseas, such as opening a Show, public speaking throughout the year and presenting prizes for winners in agricultural events.

2012 marks the 50^th Anniversary of The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition. Over 500 young women enter the Competition annually throughout NSW, with competitions run by around 120 Show Societies. All Showgirl State Finalists, past and present, were honoured at a cocktail function during the 2012 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The Showgirl Competition is definitely not a beauty pageant.  Entrants must have a genuine interest in, and knowledge of, rural NSW. The Competition encourages the participation and awareness of issues faced by women in rural NSW. 

Contestants are judged on personality, confidence, ambition and life goals, general knowledge, rural knowledge, presentation and speech.  Finalists must also demonstrate knowledge of their local community and current affairs.  In addition to their potential ambassadorial qualities, contestants are also judged on their involvement in and experience of rural affairs.

Today, Contestants continue to be young rural women with purpose and ambition and the Competition plays a significant role in the overall development of rural youth, attracting strong support from entrants, sponsors and organisers.