Emily was announced the winner of the Miss Showgirl title following a day of judging with fellow candidates Jenna Croake and Emma Keech.

Emily, 23, is from Ilford but is currently studying for a Bachelor of Medicine/Surgery in Sydney, with ambitions to work as a rural medical practitioner.

Emily and her fellow Miss Showgirl nominees, Jenna Croake and Emma Keech, all have a strong family association with the Kandos-Rylstone Show.

It’s a real family tradition, It keeps us all together and we can say ‘this is our show’.

Emily said her parents had always shown sheep in the show and she has been a regular exhibitor with cookery and craft.

“I think the show is a tradition,” said Emily, who will now represent Rylstone and Kandos at the zone Miss Showgirl finals in Lithgow on February 25.

Jenna, Emily and Emma are all looking forward to being part of this year’s show and hope to encourage more young people to get involved in rural show.

Jenna, who is Emily’s neighbour at Ilford, is the third generation of her family to participate in the Rylstone-Kandos show.

This year she will be taking on her grandmothers, Betty Croake and Fay Moore , in the cookery section.

Jenna faces stiff competition as Mrs Croake ‘s jam roll is a past winner at the Sydney Royal Show and Mrs Moore is a champion CWA cook.

“It’s a real family tradition,” said Jenna. “It keeps us all together and we can say ‘this is our show’. “

Jenna plans to continue the family interest in quality food by studying nutrition at Newcastle University.

Eighteen-year-old Emma has been participating in the Rylstone-Kandos Show since she was only three years old when she began showing cattle with her family.

“I hope to encourage more people to get involved,” said Emma, who will continue her interest in rural pursuits by studying Animal Science and Rural Science at university.