After being announced the runner-up of the inaugural Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman competition, Nowra's Imogen Clarke hopes to inspire other budding rural ambassadors.
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Imogen, who is a part of the Albatross Music Theatre Company, is the first from Nowra to place in the competition. She was "shocked" to hear her name called out on April 10, 2022.
"I was really excited to be announced as runner up, especially coming from a background that's not in agriculture," she said.
"I've just kind of had an interest in it all my life and got involved that way.
"All of the entrants were incredible. We were all saying that the best part is that we all had the same experience and got opened up to the same opportunities.
"I really want to inspire other people that you can do this too, you don't have to be from that strong farming family to get involved."
On the same day, Imogen accepted an innovation award on behalf of the Nowra Show Society for offering a free musical that she produced at this year's show.
Through catchy earworms, Farm to Fridge contains tells the tale of how key agricultural products from the Shoalhaven are made.
"It's kind of opened up a lot more doors of what I can do with that production in the future," Imogen said.
"I was pretty excited with that one, especially because it's something that came from a random idea I had one day."
The Sydney Royal Easter Show entered a new era after its iconic showgirl competition was renamed after 60 years.
Fifteen state finalists were selected to compete at the show and were judged for a week.
Imogen relished in the experience which included luncheons, judging dinners, attending government house and meeting members of the Royal Agricultural Society.
"We got to meet a whole lot of new people and see a full behind the scenes of the show," she said.
"We had official interviews with the judges. They quizzed us on the war in Ukraine and how that's affecting Australian agriculture and also on sustainability.
"But the main focus of the week was just to enjoy it and meet new people."
The opportunity to connect with other likeminded young women across the state is something Imogen will never forget.
After the show, and having embraced her role at Nowra Showgirl this year, Imogen encouraged local women who are considering getting involved in similar opportunities to take the leap.
"There will probably be entries for the Nowra Young Woman Competition opening up after winter," she said.
"I'd love to see so many girls give it a shot. Doesn't matter if you don't make it all the way to Sydney, even the opportunities presented at the local level are so incredible.
"Say yes to any opportunity that comes your way."
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Grace Crivellaro
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
