Could you be Junee’s next Young Woman of the Year?

YOUNG women across Junee are being encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, build their confidence and become advocates for their community, with entries for this year’s Junee Show Young Woman competition closing on Friday.

A longstanding tradition of the annual agricultural show, the competition is once again searching for the next generation of young women ready to make their mark, offering valuable opportunities for personal development, leadership and community involvement.

But organisers say the competition is about much more than winning a title, with a strong emphasis on recognising the contributions young women are already making across the Shire and helping them develop the skills to achieve even more.

READ MORE: Your guide to the 2026 Junee Show & Rodeo

Junee Show Young Woman Coordinator Sara Makeham said the program was designed to empower participants, build lasting connections and encourage young women to become confident advocates for their community.

“The Young Woman’s Competition is about finding advocates in our community and helping them develop the skills and network to do it well,” Ms Makeham said.

“It isn’t about finding one young person who has already done great things, it’s about spotlighting a group of young women already doing and who will continue to do amazing things for our community.”

Junee’s 2025 Young Woman of the Year, Maddison Huard | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

The competition, formerly known as Miss Showgirl, provides entrants with opportunities to develop their public speaking, networking, leadership and advocacy skills, while connecting with other young women who share a passion for their community.

Over the years, it has helped shine a spotlight on an impressive range of local women, some of whom have gone on to pursue careers, further education and opportunities around the world, while others have remained in Junee to contribute to the community they call home.

Among them are last year’s winner, Maddison ‘Maddi’ Huard, and runner-up Ella Henderson, who have continued working, learning and advocating for young women in the local community.

Reflecting on her experience, Ms Henderson said participating in the competition had pushed her beyond her comfort zone and helped shape her future aspirations.

“The experience completely forced me out of my comfort zone, but it encouraged me to reflect on what I thought was important and prioritise my future goals,” she said.

READ MORE: Young women shine at 2025 Junee Show

This year’s winner will receive $500 in prize money, a personal development weekend in Dubbo and a range of prizes donated by local businesses, including gift packs, vouchers and passes to the Junee Recreation and Aquatic Centre.

The runner-up will also receive $100 in prize money and a selection of donated gifts and vouchers.

The competition forms part of the statewide Young Woman program, with Junee’s winner eligible to progress to Zone Judging for the opportunity to represent the region at next year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.

To be eligible, entrants must be aged 18 to 25 as of May 1 this year.

The competition will be judged in the President’s Lounge, behind the main bar, at noon on show day, Saturday, October 24, with the winners announced during the show’s official opening ceremony at 2pm.

To enter, interested young women are encouraged to contact competition coordinator Sara Makeham at s.makeham@hotmail.com.

Entries close this Friday, October 16.

Junee’s 2025 Young Woman competition winners | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Alongside the senior competition, the Junee Show will also host a series of junior categories, giving children and teenagers the opportunity to take part in the longstanding show tradition.

Categories including Baby Girl and Baby Boy, Toddler Girl and Toddler Boy, Miss and Master Tiny Tott, and Junior, Intermediate and Teenage Young Woman, with prizes available across the various age groups.

Registrations for the junior categories can be completed on show day, with entry forms available from the Show Office and to be handed in at marshalling.

READ MORE: Your guide to the 2026 Junee Show & Rodeo

The 136th Junee Show and inaugural Junee Show Rodeo will be held at the Junee Showgrounds on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

To view the full program, competition schedules, key times, rodeo details and entry information, visit the Junee Show Society website.