It’s been nearly two decades since a Cootamundra showgirl was last crowned The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl but just last weekend Jessica Neale entered in the history books earning the reign.
The 25-year-old is now part of a long and prestigious list of Showgirl winners, joining Cathy Beveridge who was the last Cootamundra winner in 2003.
Jessica and Cathy are the only winners from Cootamundra during the history of the competition, which started in 1962.
There has been seven Cootamundra showgirls that have made it to the state final in Sydney since the 60s.
It has been quite the journey for Ms Neale who grew up in western Sydney and currently lives and works in The Emerald City as a Policy Advisor for the state government.
Whilst growing up, Mum Belinda Garratt described her daughter as a girl “with her heart for the country”, who wanted to end up on a farm one day.
Jessica’s long-term partner Sam Bush is from Cootamundra and today works in the city as well.
Upon one visit to Coota in 2018, Ms Neale was invited to come along and check out the Cootamundra Show, which, the Bushs are heavily involved with.
Jessica quickly became involved in the Show and helped out with judging on the Pet Show, as well as behind the scenes. After watching the Showgirl competition that year, she thought she would give it a go in 2019.
In 2019, Ms Neale volunteered to be the chief steward of the Pavilion Junior Section and helped out with judging competitions, as well as entering in the Showgirl competition.
To her surprise, she won the Cootamundra Showgirl title in October 2019 and then went on to represent Cootamundra at the Zone 7 finals in Finley in February 2020.
Jessica continued to impress with her personality, confidence, ambitions and intelligence and with the way she carried herself during the speeches and interviews, she was named as one of three finalists from Zone 7, to go on to the major Sydney show.
Zone 7 being one of the bigger zones were allocated three girls and the other two included Walbundrie Showgirl, Aimee Riley, and Wagga Wagga Showgirl, Kate Webster.
Kate also finished second runner-up at the Sydney Show. Speaking to The Times on Monday, Jessica said she was still in absolute shock at what had happened over the weekend, as there were 15 finalists representing seven zones across NSW.
“Absolute disbelief. There were so many incredible ladies and they are some of the most extraordinary women I have ever met in my life,” Ms Neale said.
“In particular with a group like that, I never would have expected to be selected.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet.”
Jessica and the other finalists were supposed to be at the Sydney Show around this time last year, right after the Zone finals.
But after a global pandemic hit the “pause” button on many shows including the Royal Agriculture Society of NSW Sydney Royal Easter Show, 2019 Walbundrie winner Stephanie Clancy kept the reigns for two years.
“Having shows cancelled for 2020 was disappointing, but it also meant for us that we manage to spend the whole year getting to know each other,” Jessica said.
“It gave us more time to catchup and share the journey. It was strange doing it this way, but we were all ultimately in the same boat.”
At the State finals which was a week-long event, 2019 Sydney Showgirl Stephanie played a role as mentor and showed the girls around, introduced them to various people, and prepared them for interviews.
Questions from the finalists ranged from “Do we need a hat for this” to “Do I need to speak now”, as Cootamundra’s Jessica Neale recalls.
At one of her speeches, Ms Neale spoke about the importance of providing job opportunities in the bush, in order for many to remain in the regions.
“There are plenty of fantastic opportunities in rural Australia, many jobs that people are not aware of,” she said at her speech.
“You can’t be what you can’t see so it’s about ensuring kids know there are plenty of things they can have a go at.”
Jessica is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Secondary Education and has aspirations to be a high school teacher one day in regional NSW.
Currently a Policy Advisor for NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell, Jessica is already part of specific policies that aim to make a difference to students in rural and remote towns, as well as kids from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Since beginning her work in government just two years ago, Jessica had the opportunity to travel and visit a number of country school and this included Cootamundra High School and Cootamundra Public School.
“Cootamundra isn’t where I grew up, but it is where see myself settling down and having a family one day,” Ms Neale said.
“It’s the hometown I have chosen for myself.”
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC grew up in Gunnedah and applauded staffer Jessica’s hard work and passion for education, especially in regional sectors.
“She [Jessica] is really passionate about improving outcomes for rural and regional communities, especially in the education space and I see that in the work she does here in the office,” The Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC said.
“I know she will be a fantastic role model for the next generation of regional women coming through.
“I am incredibly proud of this lovely young lady and I couldn’t think of a better person to win this accolade.”
Cootamundra Show Society President Geoff Larsen added to the list of praise for Ms Neale and said it was a great outcome for both Jess and Cootamundra.
“We are absolutely delighted with the results of the Sydney Showgirl competition,” he said.
“Jess is a very worthy and mature young woman who handles herself well in any situation and this is a terrific result for our Show Society and for the Cootamundra community.”
Jessica’s Mum Belinda Garratt who has been a teacher for over 20 years said her daughter’s recent Showgirl title will make a difference in her work for rural communities.
“I am so proud of my daughter. I was attending the Show on Sunday when she was announced as the winner and it was a big shock to all of us,” she said.
“Her success really shows her heart for others and I think she has a lot to bring to young women and to more communities, especially out in the bush.
“I really believe that Jess will use her position as Showgirl winner to make a difference.”
Now being crowned Showgirl champion, Jessica said 2021 will be a massive year for herself. “It will be a big and exciting year ahead for me, especially since shows are back this year,” Ms Neale said.
“I will be trying to get to as many shows as I can across the state and I am most looking forward to travelling and meeting with people across NSW.”
Jessica added that she will be working with the other finalists as well as other young women to get onboard and be involved with the shows.
The annual Showgirl competition offers rural women the opportunity to represent their local communities as well as be positive ambassadors for the land.
The Show gives opportunities for women to develop leadership skills through public speaking and other activities associated with the Show.
Rather than a competition, it’s a celebration of women from the bush, about young women who are committed to raising the profile of country towns and rich-tradition farming communities.
“I think this is such an important and invaluable annual event, it’s about young women in the bush being heard” Jessica highlighted.
“To see how far we have all come and the confidence growth especially in these two years is incredible.
“Really believe in yourself. No matter who you are and what you think of yourself, you can. I want to encourage all young people to back yourself even if it’s uncomfortable or outside of your comfort zone.”
Christopher Tan