Twenty-two-year-old aspiring politician Miranda Broekman was named the Gunnedah Showgirl for 2015 on Saturday.
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Miranda works as an electorate officer for Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce and is the daughter of Michael and Nicole Broekman.
“I was extremely honoured to be announced the winner as Gunnedah has a very long and proud history of the Senior Showgirl competition and now I am very fortunate to have my named added to that list,” Miranda said.
Miranda is looking forward to her duties as an ambassador of Gunnedah for the next 12 months.
“I am genuinely looking forward to being a representative for the show society and the Gunnedah community,” she said.
“I would encourage any girls thinking about entering next year to put their hands up as it really is a great experience.”
The showgirl entrants had a busy weekend, sashing champion cattle and sheep, horse events and participating in the grand parade.
“I really enjoyed the whole day sashing cattle and sheep and looking at the fantastic produce from our area,” Miranda said.
“A definite highlight was being in the grand parade in Colin Small’s MG, and with my Opa, Gerard Broekman, following in his vintage Chrysler.”
Aisling Sweeney, a legal assistant and receptionist at Walker Beer Solicitors and Conveyancers, was named runner-up in the showgirl quest.
The 2015 Junior Showgirl is Ashlee van Os, with Allison Clark runner-up, and Sophie Sainsbury received the encouragement award.
All entrants gained valuable experience developing their interview and public speaking skills,
according to showgirl convenor Pippi Beer.
“The judges were thoroughly impressed with the interest the entrants took in their local town and rural affairs,” Pippi said.
“It was great to have such a large amount of interest in the junior showgirl competition – all of these girls would make fantastic senior showgirls in years to come.
“Miranda was the Junior Showgirl in 2010 which helped her to prepare for this year’s quest,” she said.
“We have no doubt that she will represent us well and will work hard towards the zone 4 finals held in Walcha next year.
“All the girls will make fantastic ambassadors for Gunnedah.”
Entrants were all part of an interview process on Friday, before waitressing at the opening of the Art and Photography Exhibition on Friday night, where they each had to answer a question asked by show society representative George Truman.
This year’s judging panel included Caz Clift, Doug Frend and Kristen Dunn.
The winners were announced by NSW Farmers Association president Fiona Simson following the grand parade and sashed by 2014 Gunnedah Showgirl runner-up Rebecca Swain.
