The inaugural Showgirl competition was held in 1962. It was introduced at a time when the RAS was strengthening its links with local organisations through zone conferences, field competitions and symposiums. The contest had been recommended by management consultants, and introduced partly at the instigation of Gilbert Mant (RAS Public Relations Manager 1956-1969). Conducted with official participation by the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW, it rapidly increased in popularity. There were some initial objections to the introduction of the competition, with fears that it might undermine the image of the Society and the Show, in reality the competition strengthened the link between the metropolitan society and local bodies. It became widely regarded as a valuable competition, of benefit to all organisations involved.
The initial first prize winner was horse exhibitor Margaret Mackay, daughter of ringmaster and Horse Committee chairman Ken Mackay. In common with later prize winners, she acted as an emissary for agricultural societies and played a valuable role in advancing their objectives. The judges of that first competition were Mrs. Playfair (wife of then RAS President), Jim MacDougall (Journalist from the Daily Mirror) and actress Jane Russell. Prize for the first competition was 250 pounds, sash and a silver tray. The overseas trips did not begin to be awarded until 1963. It was originally sponsored by the Daily Mirror, later by Daily Telegraph, Women’s Weekly and The Land.
Following are Showgirl first place winners from 1962-2008:
1962 Margaret Mackay [Dungog]
1963 Jan Hewson [Goulburn]
1964 Suzanne Higgins [Gloucester]
1965 Roslyn Sylvester [Singleton]
1966 Kathleen Westcott [Alectown – near Parkes]
1967 Camilla Galway [Quirindi]
1968 Priscilla Renshaw [Binnaway]
1969 Christine Flannery [Cowra]
1970 Judy Hufton [Harden]
1971 Janet Hillyer [Junee]
1972 Jane Munro [Moree]
1973 Margo Bassett [Dubbo]
1974 Sue Godwin [Coonamble]
1975 Louise Nash [Baradine]
1976 Margo Albert [Wollongong]
1977 Mary Anne Tonkin [Gosford]
1978 Phillipa Hutton [Mungindi]
1979 Meg Harris [Murrumbateman]
1980 Judy Marheine [Lochinvar]
1981 Robyn Johnson [Cooma]
1982 Kym Collins [Patterson]
1983 Lee Sherringham [Parkes]
1984 Joanna Wakefield [Goulburn]
1985 Christine Cameron [Wee Waa]
1986 Melanie Trethowen [Dubbo]
1987 Jane Houston [Glen Innes]
1988 Emma Addison [Gresford]
1989 Yvonne Berry [Dorrigo]
1990 Nell Farmer [Quirindi]
1991 Dimity Parr [Griffith]
1992 Helen Davidson [Tamworth]
1993 Sarah Wilson [Mudgee]
1994 Penelope Smith [Castle Hill]
1995 Anna Swift [Narromine]
1996 Lee Cobb [Condobolin]
1997 Penelope Tomlinson [Moree]
1998 Narda Gilmore [Oberon]
1999 Fiona Woodburn [Forbes]
2000 Kirsty Roberts [Bathurst]
2001 Kate Woodward [Dorrigo]
2002 Claudia Wythes [Canowindra]
2003 Cathie Beveridge [Cootamundra]
2004 Skye Dixon [Cooma]
2005 Ashley Wright-Hands [Berry]
2006 Jillian Kilby [Coonamble]
2007 Melanie Nichols [Nimmitabel]
2008 Anna Unger [Peak Hill]
2009 Kimbalee Morris [Coonabarabran]
