Gloucester Showgirl is named for 2020

She was recently named Gloucester Showgirl at a small ceremony at the Gloucester Showground, along with runner up Chloe Garnham and third place winner Brianna Martin.

According to showgirl coordinator Sheree Carson, the competition was held back in February ahead of the Gloucester Show to be held the end of March. However, due to COVID-19, the show was cancelled and the showgirl was never named.

"(It was) disappointing for the participants, taking much of the gloss and excitement away from the occasion," Sheree said.

"The announcement is always eagerly anticipated at the show and a way for rural women to be further involved."

Recently, the Gloucester Agricultural Pastoral and Horticultural (AH&P) Society decided to proceed with the presentation, albeit a small one consisting of constants, family and a few committee members, which was held on Saturday, August 8.

Although many of the regular showgirl activities have been cancelled, it's expected that Taylah will take part in public speaking events, represent Gloucester at the zone judging in 2022 and undertake showgirl duties at next year's show.

"We will have three ladies at the next show presenting prizes, talking to exhibitors and some will be competing themselves," Sheree said.

"We aim to have all three ladies bring a team to compete in the young farmer competition."

Although Taylah didn't grow up in Gloucester, being from Thornton near East Maitland, she has spent most of her 20 years visiting the area to spend time with her grandparents, Wendy and John Hughes.

"I would come up during the school holidays and when I was eight years old, I started spending a week at pony camp at Camp Cobark," Taylah said. "I learned about horses and farming from Allen and Di (Shultz)."

When she was 12 years old she started volunteering at the horse camps, then at 16 she was given the opportunity to run a camp herself.

The experiences were so important to her, that a couple of years ago she moved permanently to the area and has since bought her own horses. She has found herself back at Camp Cobark and has signed herself up to the Gloucester Pony Club.

Being from a city, she hasn't had much experience with the showgirl scene.

"I didn't even know what it was at first," she smiled. "I used to go to shows and see these girls all dressed up and I thought it was a beauty competition."

It wasn't until she was approached by the committee that she decided to give it a go.

"Sheree explained things to me about what was involved and I thought it would be a great opportunity," Taylah said.

Taylah admits to being a little nervous about representing Gloucester, but she's honoured to be an ambassador for young women living in regional Australia.

"It may be a little out of my comfort zone but I'm excited about it," she said.

According to Sheree, showgirl is not beauty competition but a 60-year-old tradition that is important for young rural women.

"The winner is someone who speaks for young rural women, their needs and ambitions. She will be someone who is involved in the community, as well as having a sound rural knowledge base and will be involved in the local show," Sheree said.

She explained that a showgirl reminds "everyone that aside from their male counterparts there are also women successfully running properties and making a living from the land.

"They are the voice of the future for rural women."