NOMINATIONS are now open for the 2026 Moree Show Society Young Woman competition, with 2025 winner Laura Penfold encouraging young women from across the Moree Plains to enter the celebrated event.

Ms Penfold is no stranger to Moree Show Young Woman sashes.

She also won the title in 2021 after twice being crowned Junior Showgirl in 2011 and 2019.

Now 22, Ms Penfold is preparing for the Zone 4 regional finals at Warialda on February 7.

Selection at Warialda will take her to the Sydney Royal Easter Show Young Woman competition in April, where up to 16 young women will compete for state honours.

“I definitely encourage every young woman to participate in events like this,” Ms Penfold said.

“The program is truly an amazing and rewarding experience, especially for young women living in regional areas.

“Over the past 12 months, there have been so many highlights – from being invited to speak at conferences, to attending a development day in Dubbo.

“From each and every experience, I took away something valuable,” she said.

There are seven zones across New South Wales. Each zone consists of two groups, with the Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman program running over six days at the Sydney Royal from March 31, with the winner announced on April 5.

Moree Show Society Young Woman competition 2025 winner Laura Penfold encourages young women from across the Moree Plains to this year enter the celebrated event.

First held in 1962 as the Miss Showgirl competition, the AgShows NSW Young Woman competition celebrates more than 60 years of empowering young women in rural and regional New South Wales.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to meet people, develop personally, and actively engage with the community,” Ms Penfold said.

“This program allows you to get yourself out there while building confidence, improving public speaking skills and expanding your networking skills.”

The call-out is now on for young women from across the Moree Plains to enter the 2026 Moree Show Society Young Woman competition, open to women aged from 18 years to less than 26 years at the time of the state final.

All entrants in this year’s Moree Show Society Young Woman competition, sponsored by Alma Lee’s Florist, Matilda & Louise, Stephen Sparkes Jewellers, Beauty Matters Moree, Amcal Chemist and Maslina Bar & Grill, will assist with the judging of the Junior Young Woman competition and participate in the grand parade.

The program gives young women a platform to represent the Moree community as well as network and connect with likeminded young women from across the district.

The 2026 Moree Show Society Young Woman entrants will become ambassadors for the Moree region, contribute to the local community and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Moree Show is put together.

Young women from across the Moree Plains are invited to enter, with nominations closing on March 28 at Moree Young Woman Competition Details.

For more details, contact Moree Young Woan co-ordinator, Jess Biddle at [email protected] or 0427 403203.

Previous winners include Laura Penfold (2025 and 2021), Brydi Holmes (2024), Brooke Muller (2023), Jessica Towns (2022), Emily Ryan (2019), Bronte Marshall (2018) and Kate Lumber in 2017.

A date for formal judging for the 2026 Young Woman competition will be announced soon, with the Moree Show scheduled for Friday-Saturday, April 10-11.

“Every young woman has got what it takes to represent their community, so I truly encourage anyone who is even thinking about entering, to give it a go,” Laura Penfold said.

“There’s so much more to this program than you may think and I’m so lucky to have had the support and expertise from our beautiful Moree show committee and community, who have guided me through these last 12 months,” she said.

2026 Moree Show Society Moree Show

When: Friday-Saturday, April 10-11, 2026

Time: General public from around 9am both days

Where: Moree Showground

Website: Moree Show Society

Facebook: Moree Show Society on Facebook