Cobargo's Carmen MacGregor says being a showgirl is more than just wearing a 'sash', it means being an ambassador for for the show society and highlighting women's contributions in rural areas.
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Ms MacGregor was crowned Cobargo Showgirl in 2019 but unable to fulfill her duties with COVID lockdowns and restrictions seeing rural shows everywhere cancelled in 2020.
So she has been giving it her all this year.
Ms MacGregor was even chosen as a state finalist to represent her community at The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition.
"I think it is really important just to have that drive, passion and genuine knowledge of rural areas and the issues that rural areas are facing as well," she said.
Ms MacGregor grew up riding horses at local shows and has always had a love for the agricultural show movement.
I think it is really important just to have that drive, passion and genuine knowledge of rural areas and the issues that rural areas are facing as well
- Carmen MacGregor
Growing up Ms MacGregor had always admired the showgirls of Cobargo and wondered what the experience would be like.
She said the Sydney Royal competition had been a six-day program at which the regional representatives learnt skills in professional and personal development, as well as saw first hand how the show runs from behind the scenes.
While in Sydney the finalists went to Parliament House and Government House where they met the Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley AC QC, who presented them with their state finalist sashes.
Ms MacGregor said they even had the chance to speak to some of the state ministers and advocate for their communities.
"I spoke about Cobargo and the resilience of the Cobargo community, how we had a tough two years but we've also all rallied together.
"I spoke about how I've seen ordinary people doing extraordinary things in our community," Ms MacGregor said.
I spoke about how I've seen ordinary people doing extraordinary things in our community
- Carmen MacGregor
"When I went to Sydney I was among some incredible young women, who are doing amazing things within their community, they all have their passions, their drives and their values and you can really see that.
"We saw the behind the scenes of the show, we also got to be involved in some of the events," she said.
"We took part in the young farmers challenge, setting up electric fences, rolling hay barrels, that too shows that it is more than just the sash."
Ms MacGregor said she felt lucky to have been selected as state level and that the experience had been a once in a lifetime opportunity on which she encouraged other young women to embark.
"We gained skills that we will carry throughout our whole lives, our careers and throughout any other experiences we embark on as well."
Ms Macgregor said that with the selection for a 2022 Cobargo showgirl coming up, she encouraged young women in the Valley to consider it as she felt it was an incredible experience.
From her time observing the Sydney Royal, Ms MacGregor intends to work towards making the next Cobargo Show "bigger and better".
"I've taken away some ideas about how to encourage youth involvement at the show too, so I think that would be really important to try and include those at the Cobargo Show," she said.
I've taken away some ideas about how to encourage youth involvement at the show too, so I think that would be really important to try and include those at the Cobargo Show
- Carmen MacGregor
"I'd also like to work with the showgirl coordinator at Cobargo to really encourage young women in the Valley to get involved in the showgirl movement."