This is a chance to represent the area, speak out on the issues that matter, network, and grow as an individual. And this year the Armidale and New England Show Society will hold two competitions, one for women aged 18 to 24, and one for 15 to 17-year-olds.

The Armidale Show will be held on March 5-6, and nominations are now open for the Showgirl event.

The Show Society wants to see businesses and the community get involved in the competition by encouraging employees, friends and family members to nominate.

The aim of the Showgirl Competition is to find a person suited to represent young rural women of NSW. The competition encourages the participation and subsequent awareness of rural women’s contributions and involvement in both local communities and rural NSW as a whole.

Contestants are judged on personality, confidence, ambition and life goals, general knowledge, rural knowledge, presentation and speech. Finalists are also asked to demonstrate purpose and ambition as well as knowledge of their local community and current affairs.

The Armidale Showgirl competition is a way for young women aged between 18 and 24 (as at May 1, 2010), to become further involved in the Armidale community. Entrants will have the opportunity to promote their local area, improve their public speaking and networking skills and gain new friends.

The winner will have the opportunity to represent the Armidale Show Society at the zone finals in 2011, and if successful, will go on to represent the show society and the zone at State where the winner of The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl will be announced at the Easter Show.

The Armidale Show Society is also running a Teen Showgirl competition for girls aged 15 to 17. These younger contestants will have the opportunity to also become further involved in their community, make new friends, improve their public speaking and networking skills.

Nominations for the Armidale Showgirl and Teen Showgirl will close on February 17, with the winners to be announced during the official opening of the Show on March 5.

* For further information contact the Armidale Showgirl coordinator, Nicole Simmons, on 0427 846-866 or the Armidale Show Society on 6772-3113.