By Michael Burt
The Dorrigo Show is inviting young women from across the Bellingen Shire to get inspired to enter the annual Young Woman Competition through an Information and Development day.
Winner of the 2024 Dorrigo Young Woman Competition, Abby Raymond, is coordinating this year’s event and has planned a day of workshops on Saturday, 15 August.
“Our program will begin with an Information and Development Day designed to support and empower participants through a range of practical and professional workshops,” Abby said.
“It will include career and business advice from local experts in agribusiness and small business management, makeup and hair tutorials and presentation skills.”
Formerly known as the Miss Showgirl Competition, the Young Woman Competition is a long-standing and highly respected program that has supported young women in rural and regional NSW for more than 60 years.
The competition focuses on leadership, community involvement, confidence building, and promoting a genuine passion for agriculture and rural communities.
Abby said the program encourages the development of the next generation of female leaders and ambassadors for rural NSW, providing valuable personal and professional development opportunities for young women across our region.
“These events aim to give young women valuable life skills, leadership experience, and confidence both within and beyond the agricultural industry.”
There will be 4 categories across the 2026 competition, with the Open and Teen being announced at the Annual Dorrigo Show Ball on September 19th, 2026. The Junior and Teen categories will then be announced on Friday 27th afternoon at the Dorrigo Show. During the ball, an auction and fundraising activities will also be held to support the girls attending development days and Zone Finals in the coming year.
All young women under the age of 25 that live in the Bellingen Shire can enter and take part in the Information and Development Day.
Contact Abby at dorrigoshowsecretary@gmail.com