The 2021 Senior and Junior Narrabri Showgirl winners were announced at the official opening of the show on Friday night.
A large crowd gathered around the rodeo ring for the sashing ceremony at which Gemma Ferguson was named Senior Showgirl and Erin Flower was awarded Junior Showgirl.
The crowd applauded the seven entrants as they introduced themselves on stage.
The entrants showed poise and maturity and their community spirit was evident from their speeches throughout the competition.
Show secretary Bec Cope was thanked by the entrants for her efforts in organising the competition and was presented with a bouquet of flowers.
Ms Cope praised the entrants who were kept busy across the show weekend.
Some of the Showgirls’ duties weren’t for the faint-hearted.
One of the tasks for the Senior winner and runner-up involved being a passenger in the stunt ute display which saw the dirt fly across the track.
The entrants also rolled up their sleeves and got to work in various parts of the event.
The announcement of the Showgirl winners was also a moment of pride for The Courier.
Winner, Gemma, a previous Junior Showgirl entrant, works as a journalist at the newspaper.
At Wednesday night’s cocktail evening function, she told of her return home to Narrabri for her journalism career.
“Narrabri has welcomed me back with open arms,” she said.
“I’m in my dream career already.”
When asked why she entered the competition she said she wanted to build confidence and engage in public speaking.
“It was also a good opportunity to reimmerse myself in the town,” she said.
Junior Showgirl winner Erin is a familiar face at the newspaper as a hardworking papergirl.
Erin is busy on Tuesdays and Thursdays selling papers on the Maitland Street run. She is a passionate horse rider and enjoys sewing and spending time with her family.
When asked what she enjoyed about the show, Erin said she particularly liked the rodeo.
“I do like it because it’s a community event,” she said of the show.
Junior Showgirl entrants were also asked to detail their one recommendation of a place to see to people visiting Narrabri.
Erin recommended people to see Narrabri’s iconic Mount Kaputar.
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