![ELEGANT: 2019 Royal Bathurst Showgirl winner Steph Ferguson [left] with runner-up Laura Van Uum. Photo: PHIL BLATCH](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/xry9xtRQu9u36zRV2j5976/35ddd2d8-36b2-47c1-9036-a1033488082a.jpg/r1167_438_4608_2736_w576_h298_fmax.webp "ELEGANT: 2019 Royal Bathurst Showgirl winner Steph Ferguson [left] with runner-up Laura Van Uum. Photo: PHIL BLATCH")
Six of Bathurst's finest young women put their exemplary ambassadorial skills to test at the 2019 Royal Bathurst Showgirl competition on Saturday.
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The contestants were tested on their knowledge of agriculture, politics and what it means to be a good citizen in the Bathurst community.
Each contestant was interviewed by a panel of three judges at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre throughout the day, before moving to the Bathurst Harness Racing Club for the formalities.
Steph Ferguson was announced as the Royal Bathurst Showgirl for 2019, with Laura Van Uum named the runner-up.
Ms Ferguson said it was a humbling honour to be named the 2019 Royal Bathurst Showgirl.
"It means that I now have a platform where I can empower women in regional Australia to get more involved with agriculture," she said.
Ms Ferguson, who is currently studying at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, said the event was a great way to maintain a connection with the Bathurst community despite being absent for parts of the year.
"I love the fact that Bathurst manages to maintain a small town, community-centric vibe even though its a large regional centre," she said.
A crowd of around 70 people attended the reception at the Bathurst Harness Racing Club, and Showgirl coordinator Vicki Wilson said the event is so much more than just a beauty pageant.
"About 500 young women compete in this competition throughout NSW each year, and it's a great way for them to make new friends and unlock their hidden potential," Ms Wilson said.
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
