Sam, Cassie and Jack Bush.
Cassandra (Cassie) Bush from Cootamundra has been announced as the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Young Woman for 2025. She won the title at the Coota Show in October and was selected to represent Zone 7 at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Being from the Bush family, she lives and breathes the Show. Cassie also graduated with a double degree in Agriculture and Law from the University of New England in 2024 making her a perfect fit for her title.
Cassie said that it was a great thing to represent Cootamundra. “There’s not many people from Cootamundra who have made it through zone and to represent Cootamundra at the State final level is incredible. It’s such an experience. I’m currently in day three and it’s just absolutely terrific. It’s wonderful to be here but also to speak about Cootamundra and the issues that are affecting our local community as well as rural and regional communities across New South Wales and at national level as well.
“It’s been an incredible journey to meet so many young, like-minded women all across the state. That’s really important because it’s given me an opportunity for ideas that I want to bring back to the Cootamundra community as as well in our show level, but also community level as well, which is really exciting.
“On our first day, there was 15 of us who were selected to go to the state finals, so all 15 of us went through a personal development day on the Tuesday. That night we had a dinner with our judges, on Wednesday we had our interviews; you have a half an hour interview with the three judges for the state final and then that night we actually went to the Ag shows New South Wales dinner and we spoke on stage and did a big presentation there; and then on Thursday we went to Parliament House and we met the Governor of New South Wales, Margaret Beasley and we were all presented with a badge from her from the Royal Agricultural Society’s Council of New South Wales.
“After that we went on a harbour cruise across the Sydney Harbour, which was really lovely.
“Last night we got to have the preview of the night show at the Easter show and then today we’re doing four different rotations of stewarding across the show.
“This morning I’ve had the cattle section, the domestic animals, which meant we were actually stewarding on the rat section, which was very interesting because I know in Coota, we definitely don’t have a rat section. Then this afternoon we have been stewarding on the perishable items, the cakes, and then we’re about to start our horse stewarding, which is really great.
“Tonight we’re going to this young networking event called Hats Off at the Royal. It’s where lots of young people across New South Wales can come together and network that are all interested in agriculture and also their local community, which is really great.
“Tomorrow we’ve got a panel of different people who are like the CEO of Seafood Australia and the CEO of the live export in Australia and then a representative from the sheep of the MLA and also somebody who is both a doctor and a veterinarian so that would be really interesting.
“On Sunday, that’s when our announcement happens. We get to have a celebratory brunch with all of our friends and family that morning and in the afternoon, the winner will be announced which will be good.”
Cassie said she never believed she could make it so far. “Absolutely not. There were no thoughts or feelings that I was ever going to make it. I feel incredibly lucky that also a bit of imposter syndrome, I would say.
“It’s a pretty surreal experience and something that I’m so incredibly grateful for the Cootamundra Show Society to also really encourage me to put my name forward and enter a competition like this one. But then to go so far and to actually see how great the experiences are when you get to this level as well has been like incredible, something that I can’t even put words towards.
“I’m really excited to go back and try and get as many young people in the Cootamundra electorate and also like our Cootamundra community to go in and enter this competition because it’s a free competition that anyone can join and you get so much out of it. I don’t think enough people realise what a great opportunity it really is.
“I’d like to thank absolutely everyone on the show society, I don’t think there’s a single person who hasn’t helped in one way shape or form. I couldn’t put it down to a singular person that’s for sure. “I’m extremely shocked to have won it, but very honoured and I’m just so excited. I’m excited for Cootamundra.
“I have no words at this point. I just know that the next twelve months is going to be absolutely incredible and I’m so happy that I’m able to represent Cootamundra and I’m now officially the 2025 The Land Sydney Royal Agricultural Show Young Woman of the Year.
There was a lot racing through Cassies mind when she was announced the winner.
“I was not expecting it at all, and I still can’t believe that it actually happened. It’s just great,” she said. “I think it’s great. We are very lucky. Jessica Neale who is my sister-in-law won it for Cootamundra five years ago and that is really exciting that we have had two so close together and of course Kathy Beverage won it before that and I’m number three.
“My mum was actually a State Finalist of the Showgirl Competition as well, so it’s very special. I hope I did Cootamundra proud. “I’m so honoured to represent Cootamundra and I’m really grateful for the experience.”
She wasn’t the only Bush to receive an award, with Jack, and Sam Bush receiving the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Youth Award at the Sydney Royal Easter Show’s annual Cattle Dinner. More to come.
-Jack Murray
