The change has been made to the judging criteria by the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW and will broaden the competition. 

The Nowra Show Society is currently seeking entrants for the 2017 Showgirl Competition to be held in conjunction with the 141st Nowra Show,to be held February 10 and 11. 

The Showgirl Competition remains a relevant and rewarding experience with many young women benefitting from the personal and professional opportunities that result from participating in the annual event.

Judging for the 2017 Competition will be held on November 26 and culminate in the announcement of the 2017 Nowra Showgirl at the Presentation Dinner to be held at the Bomaderry Bowling Club.

The Showgirl Competition has been run since 1962 as part of The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition.

The successful Nowra Showgirl will compete at the Zone final to be held in Berry in February with the Zone winners progressing to the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Over the past four years, 27 young ladies from across the Shoalhaven have entered the annual competition.

“Entering the Showgirl competition can change your life,”  Jessica Apperley a former 2010 Nowra Showgirl said.

“Being a Showgirl opened doors to opportunities that I thought would never be available to me.

“Now in my role as Showgirl Coordinator, I have the immense privilege of meeting keen, enthusiastic young women who, by participating in the competition, grow in self-confidence and come away with a renewed sense of purpose to pursue their chosen path in life.”

The Showgirl Competition is regarded as one of the largest and most prestigious rural competitions in New South Wales and provides an opportunity for girls to gain valuable experience and make new friends, while having a chance to win great prizes.

The aim of the Competition is to find a person most suited to represent the young rural women of the local area. It is not a beauty pageant.

The contestants are judged on personality, confidence, ambition and life goals, general knowledge, rural knowledge, presentation and speech.

Entrants should have a genuine interest in rural NSW as well as knowledge of their local community.

For the first time in the 54 year history of the Competition there has been a change to the judging criteria – set by the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW – to include a section on volunteer and community participation.

Andrea Lewis, 2016 Nowra Showgirl entered the Showgirl Competition because she wanted to get more involved with the Nowra Show Society.

“I would recommend the competition to other young women as it was a wonderful experience that taught me new skills and allowed me to meet some wonderful people,” Ms Lewis said. 

Since being announced as the winner of the Nowra Showgirl Competition earlier this year, Andrea has taken on leadership of the Next Generation Nowra Group, a newly formed youth arm of the Nowra Show Society.

Showgirl entrants must be aged between 18 and 25 as at May 1, 2017. Showgirls are sponsored by a local business chosen by the Showgirl or linked through the Show Society.

Entrants do not have to come from an agricultural background or have any prior experience with the Show. All Showgirl entrants participate at the annual Nowra Show in a range of activities from sashing champion livestock to making a presentation to the Nowra Show baby.

This is often the most memorable experience for many Showgirl entrants as they are afforded the opportunity to spend a day “behind the scenes” at the show.

Young ladies who are considering entering the competition or looking for further information are encouraged to contact the Show Society.

An information package is available from www.nowrashow.org.au or by contacting the Nowra Show Society info@nowrashow.org.au