Quirindi’s Jane Stent and Moree’s Amber Boydell were the standout participants at the Zone 4 Showgirl finals in Gunnedah, where they competed against 12 other women from right across the North West. 

Ms Stent said the win was “still sinking in” and she felt honoured to be representing Quirindi. 

She identified controversial mining on the Liverpool Plains, chronic drought and mental health as major issues for the region. 

“At the end of the day, I’m a farmer’s daughter and mining on the Liverpool Plains concerns me greatly,” Ms Stent said. 

“You’ve got to look at the positive impacts it’s going to have on the Gunnedah economy, but the state and federal governments need to focus more on the potential impacts the mine will have on the long-term agricultural sustainability of the region versus the short-term gain from mining.”

She said she was a “very passionate advocate” for mental health awareness in rural areas, especially in light of the drought. 

Fellow Zone 4 winner Amber Boydell agreed the drought was having a huge impact on the region. 

“Some parts of Moree have had great rain, other parts not much at all. If you head further west, they’re really suffering,” Ms Boydell said. 

She said she was thrilled to be an ambassador for the North West. 

“It’s something that’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said. 

“It’s brilliant for young women to be able to promote their region.”

At a black-tie event on Saturday night, the contestants gave speeches and were judged on their personality, confidence and their local and general knowledge, with judge Kennedy Tourle saying it was a “tough job” to pick a winner. 

“They all did extremely well and should be very proud,” Ms Tourle said. 

Ms Stent and Ms Boydell will compete against women from across the state in the hopes of being crowned The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl on March 29.