Jessica Allen, the daughter of Craig (grew up in Dungog) and Sharon was voted runner-up.

It was a tough call for judges of this year’s Miss Showgirl with 11 capable young women in the running. 

The final judging took place and winners announced at a cocktail event on Sunday evening at the Maitland Showground.

Official guests were Maitland MP Robyn Parker and the mayor of Maitland Peter Blackmore and lady mayoress Robyn.

Olivia Richardson, who attended Dungog High School) was the first to enter this year’s Miss Maitland Showgirl competition.

“I grew up competing in the cattle section at Maitland Show and I guess I always looked up to the showgirls, so I think it’s important for young girls in the community to have a role model,” the 19-year-old said.

“I had that when I was younger, so now I want to be that for other people.”

The aim of the Miss Maitland Showgirl search is to find a young female ambassador for rural NSW and the agricultural movement. The competition also encourages the participation and awareness of issues that women in rural NSW face and contestants are judged on personality, confidence, life goals, general knowledge, presentation and speech.

“I think there needs to be more recognition of the showgirl process because it does so much for the entrants.”