Young rural women in longest battle to be Sydney Easter Showgirl

When Sydney’s Easter Show was cancelled because of COVID last year, 16 young women’s hopes of becoming the 2020 Showgirl were dashed. But they’re back for the 2021 contest.

Country girls like Carmen MacGregor have been keeping the Sydney Royal Easter Showgirl competition thriving since 1962.

In 1962, 20 young ladies entered the first Showgirl Competition, and now, 59 years later, local showgirls from all across the state are campaigning for rural NSW and the agriculture show movement.

Cobargo Showgirl Carmen MacGregor is passionate about highlighting women’s contributions to rural NSW. Picture: Tim Hunter

Carmen MacGregor, 22, from ­Cobargo, will be one of the 16 NSW showgirl entrants this year. Because the 2020 Sydney Royal Easter Show was cancelled, Ms MacGregor, who was crowned in 2019, has found herself the longest reigning Cobargo Showgirl.

“I was home for Christmas when the bushfires hit and it’s still quite indescribable, like it just absolutely devastated the community,” she said.

“I spoke at our Australia Day event and it was really important to see the community rally together then.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when her medical studies transitioned to online teaching, Ms MacGregor spent time in the Cobargo community.

“I went back and spent a lot of time back home and helped my mum out on her property after it had been damaged in the fires,” she said

“I also enjoyed attending show meetings, discussing how we can bring a bigger and better show to Cobargo in 2022 to bring some fun back to the community, and also focusing on recovery.”

The 2021 The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl winner will be ­announced on April 11.

“I’m really looking forward to sharing this experience with the 15 other inspiring young women,” she said. “We’ve all come from different walks of life, but we’ve all grown up in rural areas and are passionate about highlighting women’s contributions to rural NSW.”