The 22-year-old took out the title at the Nowra Showgirl Competition judging day on Saturday, November 27.

"It still hasn't sunk in yet," she said.

"I'm still very excited and over the weekend I've received so many lovely messages of support."

Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley announced Imogen as the winner, with the sash handed to her by the 2020 Nowra Showgirl, Annalise McDonald.

Cambewarra's Samantha Dunn was awarded runner-up.

Read more:

Living in Nowra her whole life, Imogen is heavily involved in the community in sport, the arts and aspires to make a difference in the rural health system.

Imogen plays AFL for the Bomaderry Tigers and is actively involved in the Albatross Music Theatre Company, choreographing multiple junior productions.

She is also in her third year of a Bachelor of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Wollongong.

Imogen hopes to apply to medical school or complete a paramedic course and aims to bridge the gap between metropolitan and rural health systems

"There is such a divide at the moment, a lot of health issues can be prevented with the advancement of medical technology," she said.

"I'd love to limit this divide and give back to those communities that don't have access to that technology yet.

"Our population is always growing and everyone needs health care."

Imogen said she hopes the title will allow her to become more involved in the thriving agricultural community she is so passionate about.

"This region has so much to offer and it's a great place to live," she said.

"We've got Jervis Bay where we have the mussel and oyster farms. And we also have dairy farms and a few beef industries and also floristry, which all comes under agriculture.

"I'm hoping I can get attend as many different events as possible and get involved with some new and different things, but to also be able to represent what I'm already involved in."

With COVID restrictions having lifted in time, the Nowra Show Society was able to organise the showgirl competition, which gave the entrants six weeks notice to prepare.

Imogen was thrilled the event could go ahead, seeing as lockdowns prevented last year's competition from running.

"I'm so glad it could go ahead this year, even though there wasn't a lot of time to prepare," she said.

Almost 75 attendees enjoyed lunch and interviews, followed by the annual Showgirl Presentation Dinner at the Shoalhaven Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday, November 27.

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.