She narrowly missed out on the title in 2019, but Laura Van Uum has returned two years later to be crowned Royal Bathurst Show Showgirl for 2021.
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Ms Van Uum was named the winner at the official opening of the Royal Bathurst Show on Saturday in a tightly contested competition that also featured Hannah Chapman, Charlotte Kamper and Emelia Inwood.
After having to wait two years for another go at the title, Ms Van Uum said she's very excited to represent Bathurst at larger show events across the state over the next 12 months.
"I feel very privileged to receive this role, as it's such a great opportunity for young rural women to represent their community and speak their mind," she said.
"So many beautiful girls have held this role before me, so I hope to uphold the tradition with plenty of enthusiasm."
While the Royal Bathurst Show Showgirl competition may seem like a beauty pageant at face value, Ms Van Uum said the initiative serves a far more important purpose.
"You have to have quite a substantial amount of political knowledge and comprehensive opinions on community, national and worldwide issues; it's very much about being well spoken," she said.
"I think there's a lot of misconception on what a Showgirl is...there's a lot of people who still believe it's no more than a beauty pageant, which isn't the case at all.
"While presenting yourself in a professional manner is indeed part of it, being a Showgirl is very much about how you express yourself and speak your mind."
Ms Van Uum said Bathurst's community spirit has played a pivotal role in seeing the region through a challenging 12 months.
"Even in the tough times we've had recently, everyone has pulled together to come out strong on the other side," she said.
"Bathurst MP Paul Toole said at the show's official opening on Saturday that it was the community's biggest event since Sir Elton John in January last year, and I think it's our combined effort as a community that has enabled large events to return to normal."
Ms Van Uum said the Showgirl competition highlights the important role of young women as ambassadors to their respective community.
"We [the 2021 Showgirl competitors] all have our own specific and unique aspirations, so it shows any young woman has the potential to wear the blue ribbon," she said.
"All you need is a passion for your pursuits and a desire to speak up for young women."
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