Hawkesbury Young Woman & Rural Ambassador Competitions

The 2023 Show saw a change from our previously named "Showgirl" competition to the "Hawkesbury Young Woman of the Year" competition. In addition to this, the Association introduced a "Rural Ambassador" competition for a broader age group and more inclusive event allowing young men and women up to the age of 30 years to participte. Both these events were pre-judged in the weeks leading up to the 2023 annual Hawkesbury Show, with presentations taking place for the first time on show Saturday following the grand parade.

Jill Burgess was awarded the prestigious title of the 2024 Hawkesbury Young Woman of the Year, with Fiona Archer announced as the winner of the first Hawkesbury Rural Ambassador. This year the judges had an enormous and difficult task of selecting the winners of both of these competitions. The contestants were put through some rigorous interviews followed by invitations to the Show Sponsor's evening and 2 full days of activities at the 2023 Show leading up to the final announcements.  Runner up of the Young Woman Competition was awarded to Mikaela Ryan.

2024 Hawkesbury Young Woman of the Year -Jull Burgess and 2024 Hawkesbury Rural Ambassador - Fiona Archer

The entrants in both competitions were judged by a panel of three judges on personality, confidence, community involvement, general knowledge, rural knowledge, ambitions/goals,  personal presentation and public speaking abilities. The competitions aim to find youth Ambassadors for the Hawkesbury area.The Young Woman competition is one of the most prestigious titles within the Agricultural Show movement and carries with it the chance to represent the Hawkesbury region at a zone and state level and be a youth ambassador for the Hawkesbury community and rural NSW.

Jill will now continue her Young Woman journey and attend the New South Wales Agricultural Shows Zone 2 finals in late February 2024 which is being hosted by Penrith District AH & I Society. If successful , she will represent the Hawkesbury and the Zone at the state finals at the 2024 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The Young Woman & Rural Ambassador Committee of the Hawkesbury Show congratulates all the entrants in these competitions and extends its thanks to the A.J.Bush & Son and Grover's Country Clothing for their partnership of these events.

 About Hawkesbury Young Woman

The Hawkesbury Young Woman competition aims to find a young female Ambassador for the Hawkesbury area. The winning Young Woman is selected by a panel of three judges and remains the Young Woman until the next year’s Show. Her role involves many official and informal duties.

It’s one of the most prestigious titles the show movement can bestow and carries with it not only prizemoney, the chance to represent your district at regional and zone levels but also the pride of being an ambassador your community and rural NSW. 

The Young Woman 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 lo-cal 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.

Entry Requirements

  • The Competition is open to those who are permanent residents of Australia.
  • Entrants must be women aged from 18 years to under 25 years as at 1 May in the year of the State Final.
  • Entrants must reside, be educated, or work within New South Wales for at least three months prior to their local Showgirl Competition to qualify to compete within the State.

2023 Hawkesbury Young Woman of the Year - Brooke Chandler

General information from the RAS 

The Competition aims to find a young woman to act as an ambassador for rural NSW with her role involving many official and informal duties both at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and during her travels interstate and overseas.

It is not a beauty pageant. Most importantly the Young Woman must have a genuine interest in, and knowledge of, rural NSW.

The Competition encourages the participation and subsequent awareness of rural women’s contribution and involvement in both local communities and rural NSW as a whole.

For full entry details and guidelines contact the HDAA office on (02) 4577 3591 or email us at hdaa@hawkesburyshow.com.au

The Hawkesbury Show for 2024 is on 19-21 April 2024..


FAQ About Entry to Young Woman Competition

I am not “agricultural” so can I enter?
Yes, anyone with a passion for our local area can enter.

What will I be judged on?  
The judges take into account personality, confidence, ambition and life goals, general knowledge, rural knowledge, presentation and speech. Basically, be yourself!

How much will it cost me?  
As little or as much as you wish. We recommend that for the interview, you wear what you would if you were going to a job interview.The other functions require smart casual attire.

What happens on the day of the competition?  
During the week leading up to the show, you will be interviewed separately by three judges at our Showgrounds. A lunch is prepared for all our entrants plus our judges, President and Business Manager.  You will be asked to attend the annual show on Friday and Saturday where the winner will then be announced.

Do I have to do public speaking?  
The only public speaking is on presentation day where you will be questioned about yourself in an interview. This is not a speech but an interview so the interviewer can assist you if you get nervous.

What can I win?  
We find that the greatest prize is not only making new friends but the opportunities that can present themselves. First prize is $1500 from the Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association plus a life membership to the HDAA. Second and third prize are also monetary.