The winner will be announced at Maitland Show on Saturday night during the opening of the show, which begins at 5.30pm.

Each entrant has their own story that led them to the competition, and big dreams for their future. 

Take a few minutes to get to know them. 

About me:

I am 19 years of age and live in Abermain. I am a Trainee Equine Veterinary Nurse with Newcastle Equine Centre and a ”sponsored” volunteer at Raceview Park Equestrian Services - training in Level 1 Horse Management and Rider Coaching.

Why I entered:

The Showgirl competition offers the chance to increase my awareness of the Agricultural and Horticultural Association in NSW; make new friends; develop new skills; experience challenge through leaving my comfort zone; promote the wonderful region in which I live and most of all HAVE FUN! 

My goals:

My goal is to strive to do the very best I can in everything I do; respecting the views of others; listening actively, researching and effectively questioning to gain understanding. I love horses; caring for them, training them, taking them to show. I enjoy teaching others through horses; confidence, respect, understanding and responsibility. 

These traits are particularly important to horses and are the backbone of all honest relationships. 

My vision for Maitland:

Maitland has been the highest growing regional centre in NSW over a number of years. 

We have diverse employment opportunities in retail, health and social services, mining, retail, construction and manufacturing. The city centre is becoming more cosmopolitan, but retains its country town charm. 

We treasure our heritage such as architectural elements such as buildings designed by Colonel W L Vernon and the architects of the Pender family. 

Going forward, I hope that planning continues to take into account our past as well as our future and that consideration be given to farming families so that agriculture continues to be part of our demographic. 

About me:

I’m 21 and currently living in Bolwarra Heights.  

Why I entered:

I would love to be your Maitland Showgirl for 2017. I believe it would be a good leadership and development experience for me being able to represent such a unique and iconic town such as Maitland.

My goals:

For the future I’m working towards a career within the performing arts industry, I love musical theatre and everything film and television has to offer in our great Australian Industry.

My vision for Maitland:

My vision for Maitland would be to have more people involved in the events we have such as the Maitland Show and to present the history and culture of the wonderful area we live in.

Since moving from Melbourne just two years ago I’ve fallen in love with the landscape and lifestyle that this area beholds and the amazing sense of community. I want more of the country to know that, and show them the true identity of the great Hunter region. I want Maitland to make a bigger stamp on the New South Wales map.

About me:

I am 20 years of age and currently studying a diploma of youth work which I hope will aid me towards my goals. 

Why I entered:

I am striving to becoming Miss Maitland as I feel this is a big opportunity for young woman to represent Maitland. I have grown up in Maitland and always felt a strong connection.

My goals:

I hope one day to run programs for women in juvenile detention centres to help reduce violence, educate and help in any way possible.

My vision for Maitland:

I hope to see Maitland continue to support its local farmers and produce and remain a welcoming open community. 

About me:

I’m 23 years of age and from Melville NSW. I completed year 10 at St Joseph’s Lochinvar and then completed certificates III and IV and a Diploma in business administration at Hunter TAFE. I work as operations manager in my parents business that specialises in the pickup and delivery of bulk milk.

I have been at SRH Milk Haulage for 8 years but have grown up with the business and had the opportunity to go on the farm runs with my dad throughout my life. Being around the business from the age of three, I have developed a great passion for the dairy and transport industry. I also grew up with my family (Mead Family) who are vegetable farmers at Bolwarra and grow pumpkins, potatoes and lucerne. I was always happy to help where I could.

I have a great passion for animals, this has included bottling feeding 40 calves, fostering kittens and rescuing a lamb. I also have my own furry family which includes my dog Boo, cat Ollie and two miniature ponies Jay Jay and Mojo.

Why I entered:

To get involved within the Maitland community, to meet new people, develop new friendship and have the opportunity to carry on the tradition of Maitland showgirl.

If I was to win showgirl I would like to be more involved in the Maitland community and give Maitland residents and visitor’s a greater understanding the roots of Maitland’s agricultural background and the effort and hard work that farmers put in to get fresh food and milk to consumers.

My goals:

My goals in life is to be able to have my own little farm where I can rescue animals, one day take over the family business and have involvement in a variety of community activities and events.

About me: 

I’m 23 years old and I live in Beresfield. I am studying Environmental Engineering at the University of Newcastle.

Why I entered: 

This Competition presents an opportunity for young women of the region to meet with some of the brilliant minds of Maitland, and in particular our community leaders and political representatives. It gives us the opportunity to network and have our voices heard, which will not just assist in advancing our careers and achieving our life goals, but also inspire Maitland’s youth (girls and boys alike) by showing that each individual’s opinion does matter and that you can achieve what you want to if you simply put your mind to the task.

It also promotes community awareness and involvement, and encourages youth to show an interest in their community by rewarding young women who are already involved in their communities and who have interests in improving the social and environmental wellbeing of society.

I would be proud to win Showgirl, and would take it as my responsibility to promote and represent our city and region.

My goals: 

The reduction in plastic consumption and increase in community clean-ups, as well as the move towards large scale renewable energy are passions of mine. On a more global scale I would see the cessation of unsustainable deforestation and runaway global warming. I believe the enemy of progress is apathy and I want to change the apparent opinion amongst much of society that apathy is ‘cool’.

My vision for Maitland: 

I believe Maitland is somewhat conservative and hasn’t yet embraced the future as Newcastle has. This conservatism has its benefits, but I also see a growing disparity between the disconnected youth and the ageing Maitland population. I detect an undertone of segregation and discrimination against migrants and members of the LGBTQI community which I would like to see addressed. I would also like to see the rejuvenation and transformation of Maitland into a more vibrant city. We have ample space for recreation, a rich history, and picturesque riverside landscape which is not being capitalised on. This would generate a more cohesive community in which future generations would want to live and work.

About me: 

I’m 22 and I live in Millers Forest. I’m studying equine science and my career goal is to become an equine osteopath and chiropractor and own my own business.

Why I entered:

For generations my family has been actively involved with Maitland show. My Late Great Grandfather was the ringmaster for many years, my Late Grandfather was actively involved as a committee member and other family members were also involved in the running of the Show, Campdraft and Rodeo events. Being inspired by this, I have always wanted to have an influence on the show and the community, just like passing generations of my family has had.

I want to support the agricultural sector of the show by encouraging the youth of our community to get more involved not only within our local show but also within Agriculture and our large surrounding rural community. I believe that by getting the young members of our community involved with our local show by acquiring a greater understanding of agriculture and our rural community will help to secure the future running of our anticipated Maitland Agricultural Show.

My motivation to re-enter the Showgirl adventure comes from my wonderful positive experience and growth I have gained from last year’s quest. Whilst advocating to the youth the career paths that agriculture has to offer and educating about Maitland’s vast agricultural history and the changing yet booming future it holds, I want to express what the showgirl journey means to me to hopefully promote to young women within our community the Showgirl quest. 

Life Goals

I am a person that sets myself a lot of goals and I posses a large number of ambitions. My main focus for the near future with my ambitions is to complete my University Degree in Equine Science and further my studies on to become and Equine Osteopath. In the near future I am aiming to commence a year diploma in Equine Acupuncture and Equine Massage, which will be a great complement to my aspirations of becoming an Equine Osteo. Once completing my studies, I aim to start up my own business as an Equine Acupuncturist and Osteopath.

My vision for Maitland:

Seeing programs that allow school students to gain an insight and information about agriculture.

The schools I attended did not offer agriculture as a subject and those without a rural/agricultural background had no idea about Maitland’s huge agricultural history, past and present or about what career paths agriculture has to offer. Without the younger generation being educated about both the Maitland area and Australian agriculture, what will happen to agriculture in years to come?

Whether it be working on or running a farm or station, obtaining a degree in an advisory role such as agronomy or becoming apart of the committee at your local agricultural show, the community is not going to know about these roles or think they can excel in these roles if they do not have the foundation knowledge.

About me: 

I’m 21 years-old and I live at Richmond Vale. I completed a Bachelor of Business in 2016 and I am currently studying a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Newcastle. 

Why I entered:

There has been a proud tradition of Maitland Showgirl from the past young ladies who have held the position and represented our area.

I would love to have the opportunity to follow in their footsteps. My family has lived in the Maitland area for many generations.

I have a country background and have a strong understanding of the issues that face people living on the land. I currently live on my family farm in the Maitland area and have been involved in the Maitland show for the past five years.

I would use the experience of being Maitland Showgirl to promote agriculture within our community, especially within our youth.

My goals:

My main life goal is to live a fulfilling and challenging life that living in the country provides.

I see my future as being tied to the Hunter Valley through my university studies, career in the legal profession and also through my strong involvement on our family farm.

My vision for Maitland: 

My family are long term residents of Maitland and through this I have seen our city grow, especially over the past ten years to become a major regional town and commercial centre in the Hunter Valley.

The recently completed Levee project and the current expansion of Greenhills shopping centre will further promote our town and bring more visitors to the area.

I believe it is important that those who lead and plan the town continue to blend both our unique country heritage with our growing urban nature.