Collarenebri’s Emily Barton and Bourke’s Charlotte McGrory will make their way to Sydney Royal Easter Show this year, after becoming state finalists at NSW AgShow Young Woman Competition. 

Competing in Zones 4 and 6 over the weekend, the two women represented their home town alongside entrants from across the region. 

“I’m new to the Young Woman movement, I didn’t picture myself doing it,” said Ms Barton, who was announced as a finalist on 10 February at the zone event in Tamworth .

Emily Barton in Tamworth with her support crew. (Supplied)

As livestock manager on her family property with a contract mustering company on the side, finding the time to enter the competition in the local show ‘opened so many doors’.

“Agriculture is what I live and breathe. It’s my hope that the program will be able to provide a platform to encourage the benefits of not only working within ag, but rural NSW in general.”

“We need more young people returning to smaller regional centres to stop them declining and hopefully regain some of their former glory.”

Despite not seeing it coming, Ms Barton has become one of the biggest supporters of the competition.

“My advice to a girl considering it is do it. I think often the best opportunities are those when we push ourselves outside our comfort zones…if you enter the program, opportunities will follow.”

For Bourke’s Charlotte McGrory, her pathway to the iconic competition looked a little different, and in many ways, answers the rallying of Ms Barton to bring people back to country towns.. 

“I wanted to get to know the town a little bit better. I’m originally from Sydney and thought this would be a great way to meet people,” Ms McGrory.

Charlotte McGrory following a win in Narromine over the weekend. (Supplied)

After completing her university placement at Bourke’s St Ignatius, Ms McGrory took to the town so well she decided to stick around. 

Competing in the Zone 6 at Narromine on 10 February, Ms McGrory said she’s made friends with women from other show society’s that she’s already planning to meet again.

“It was such an awesome experience to get to meet so many other women from smaller towns who are also passionate about what they do and where they live.”

Ms McGrory used the platform to discuss instilling confidence and ambition in women and girls, as a ‘physie’ dance teacher, as well as giving regional kids more exposure to creative arts.

Both Emily and Charlotte will attend the Sydney Royal Easter Show in late March, where they will spend the week for the final part of the competition amongst young women from across the state.