The former Nowra Anglican College student would like to volunteer in West Africa and work with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

First of all, she has to compete in the Showgirl Zone final on February 21.

Then, if she succeeds, it’s onto the State Finals at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in March.

Ms McMahon is thrilled by the opportunity being Berry Showgirl offers her and is grateful she was chosen.

“It’s surreal, incredible,” she said.

“It means I’ve been embraced by my town.”

She said the Showgirl is a role model for younger women.

For Ms McMahon the Showgirl competition “empowers women in a rural community”.

Now studying Nursing at Wollongong University, Ms McMahon said she has done some work with World Vision and would like to extend that to volunteering in West Africa where Ebola is the number one health problem.