This year there are nine entrants in the annual showgirl competition, with five senior entries and four junior showgirl entries.

The 2018 Gunnedah Showgirl, runner-up and Junior Showgirl will be announced and sashed at the opening of the art and photography section on Friday night. The NVI will livestream the announcement to its Facebook page.

Showgirl convenor Carolyn Bishop is thrilled that local girls are getting involved in the 130th Gunnedah Show.

The entrants will be judged on their general knowledge, character, speaking ability and knowledge of rural issues. This year’s judges are Caroline Anderson, Juliana McArthur and Tony Blake.

Haylee Murrell is 18 years old and attends Gunnedah High School. 

The Year 12 student enjoys agriculture, getting outdoors, fitness, interior design and animals. 

She entered the competition to "help give back to my local community, promote women in agriculture, meet a wider bunch of people and help spread the message of the importance and opportunities in ag to today's youth".

Amy Vincent is studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Newcastle.

The 18-year-old enjoys playing the violin and showing cattle for her family stud. She hopes to specialise in midwifery when she completes her nursing degree.

Amy entered the competition to "give back" to "this community that has given so much to me". 

Kayla Smith is a familiar face at Gunnedah Shire Council.

The 21-year-old enjoys dancing, softball, oz tag, netball, and the Gunnedah Aero Club. She has future aspirations of gaining employment in the aviation industry.

Kayla entered the competition because she would "love to be an ambassador for my hometown". 

"I want to be an advocate for young women in rural communities and show what can be achieved," she wrote on her entry.

Allison Korn is 22 years old and is studying a Bachelor of Agriculture and a Bachelor of Law through the University of New England.

She enjoys travelling, photography, cooking, tennis, hiking and horse riding.

Allison entered the competition to "support the Gunnedah Show Society, which has provided me with endless opportunities". She would also like to gain confidence, personal and professional skills and form friendships.

Jade McNeice is 19-years-old and is an apprentice hairdresser.

She is passionate about singing, playing guitar, writing songs, and exploring new places.

The young woman likes to get involved in her local community.