Local accountant Katie Molloy has been named the 2017 Cowra Showgirl at the Cowra Show Cocktail Party on Saturday night.
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Katie, 24, said she was shocked to be named Showgirl and looks forward to the year ahead.
“It’s exciting, I’m really looking forward to going to the (Cowra) Show with the other girls,” she said after winning the crown.
She said the competition was something she never thought she would do but has loved every minute of it.
“I love Cowra, it’s exciting to be the Showgirl and to be a role model for other girls,” she said.
“It’s also nice to get out of my comfort zone.”
Katie, along with the three other entrants, Patrice Sharp, Kristen Frederickson and Callista Ford, all had short interviews on the night with Showgirl Chief Steward Trish Gundersen.
In her interview, Katie spoke about her family’s involvement in the horse racing industry and says she was inspired by those from rural areas who have gone on to big things.
“If someone like Hugh Bowman from Dunedoo can achieve such great things, winning the 21st straight win on Winx... and in our family, we have a great uncle, who is from Forbes, he is a country boy and he rode the winner in the Doncaster… it’s just really nice to know that you can achieve anything no matter where you are from,” she said.
She was then asked about the place of agricultural shows and said they play an important part in bringing rural communities together.
“It’s just such a big community event because you can see everyone joining in,” she said.
“You go to a show and there is something for everyone… it’s just a great way to showcase our industry.”
Katie was then quizzed on why agriculture is a such a vital industry in Australia.
“Living in a rural community I think you really see the agriculture industry,” she said.
“It’s what Australia is known for… we have sheep, we have cattle, we have great produce.”
The evening also featured 2016 Cowra Showgirl Melanie Savva officially opening the Show ahead of next weekend.
“It gives me great pleasure to officially announce that the 2017 Cowra Show is now open,” she said.
“I’d like to wish the committee all the best for the upcoming show and I think the move to a weekend is going to be a great result.
She said she the main thing she got out of the Cowra Showgirl competition is confidence.
“I would not have been standing up here twelve months ago and talking in front of 100 people...” she said.
Katie will now go on to represent Cowra at various shows and at the regional Showgirl competition.
