Behind the Sash: Stories of Young Women

26/02/2025

Sophie Heffernan grew up on her family's beef property in Candelo where she is now a tax accountant and book keeper. Growing up, show memories ranged from cooking for the pavillion, to entering in horse events, and was always a annual highlight for Sophie's family. Horses have been also been a big part of her life, leading Sophie to join the Candello Campdraft committee and to begin instructing young women in her region.

Sophie was the 2023 Candelo Show Young Woman, and was proud to represent her community as a 2024 The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW State Finalist. In this chat Sophie gives ideas for small ways people can support community events, and shares how starting her own business has given her flexibility to chase her passions. You don't want to miss this chat: https://spoti.fi/3Xjosjp

06/02/2025

Good luck to everyone going into Zone Finals 🥰

28/01/2025

Stephanie Hennings became passionate about shows through growing up on her family's Angus cattle stud in Camden. She went on to study a Bachelor of Agriculture and Business at UNE where she was an AgriFutures Horizon Scholar and undertook an exchange program to Purdue University, USA.

Stephanie was named the 2023 Camden Show Young Woman where she grew up showing and volunteering. and then went on to represent Zone 2 at Sydney Royal in 2024. You can find Stephanie in the office to the paddock in her role as a Farm Services Field Officer for the a2 Milk Company. She also loves running and has completed marathons around the world. Learn more about Stephanie in our chat: https://bit.ly/4fRHdAV

21/01/2025

What sits behind Eliza Whiteley's sash?

Like many rural women, Eliza wears a few hats. Eliza studied optometry at Deakin University, before returning back to Central West NSW where she worked as a locum optometrist for many years supporting eye health in rural communities. This year she reached a new milestone as she began her own optometry practice in Dubbo, Whiteley Optometry.

However, Eliza is also Co-Principal of Glenalbyn Santa Getrudis with her husband Jack and has grown up involved in Wellington Show. In 2023 she was named Wellington Show Society's Young Woman and went on to represent Zone 6 at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in 2024. Eliza has some incredible insights about her journey in and out of the program. We hope you enjoy this chat: https://bit.ly/4aagu1p

14/01/2025

This special episode we are excited to introduce Elinor Bowman as a new host on the Behind the Sash podcast!

Elinor has been a previous guest on the podcast and we are very excited to have her on board to interview our amazing Young Woman guests. For this special episode you can learn a bit more about Elinor and hear about the upcoming Zone Final dates: https://bit.ly/4h6kB0t

08/01/2025

What does Better Homes and Gardens, kick boxing, and crochet have in common?

These are all passions of Simone Ducker! Simone was the 2023 Wauchope Young Woman, and a Zone 1 Finalist at the 2024 Sydney Royal Easter Show. Simone has just graduated from a combined degree of Civil Engineering (Honours) and Design in Architecture. At every turn Simone has been passionate about the communities she lives in and a big part of her life has been growing up around the Wauchope Show Young Woman Competition.

This is a great episode to listen to in the lead up to Zone Finals to show there is really no mould for what a Young Woman looks like. Listen to Simone’s episode now: https://bit.ly/3C2qX2b

14/11/2024

What is behind the sash of Amelia Bryant?

Amelia has been involved in the show movement from tiny tots up to horse section judging. Amelia was the 2021 Wellington Show Young Woman, and has since taken over Young Woman Coordinator of the Wellington Show Society. It’s been a special full circle moment this year with Amelia's sister Adelaide taking on the Wellington Young Woman title.

In this chat Amelia chats through her career in nursing, and her pathway and passion for neo-natal care. This is a fantastic insight into what sits behind a Young Woman Sash and is perfect in the lead up to Zone Finals early next year. Listen now:
https://bit.ly/48XZ9If

06/11/2024

What is Behind the Sash of Emma Johnston?

In a rural community there are many hats to wear- and I think you’ll find Emma wears every kind! Emma is an artist, sports coach, scout, show volunteer and member of Hay Youth Taskforce. She has many accolades including most recently the 2024 Transgrid Indigenous Achievement Award from 7News. All this, and Emma was only 19 when she was a state finalist in The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition!

This chat was recorded live from Hay Show as Emma saw out her year as Hay Young Woman, listen now: https://bit.ly/3NULqrV

23/10/2024

Sarah Wood was the 2022 Cowra Young Woman and a 2023 State Finalist in The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition. Sarah has drawn so much from the Young Woman program and has made life long friends and connections through the Show movement.

The journey has followed her to Moree, where she is now an agronomist excited to work in summer cropping systems and to be involved in a new community. Learn more about what sits behind Sarah Wood's sash: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/behindthesash/episodes/Sarah-Wood-has-a-passion-for-agriculture-that-has-taken-her-across-NSW-e2q1j55

29/09/2024

SPECIAL EPISODE: 2024 Pearl Picnic

This year was the inaugural Pearl Picnic, a reunion and celebration of women from the The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Showgirl and Young Woman movement.

Organised by Florance McGufficke and Agricultural emcee: Lyndsey Douglas the first ever Pearl Picnic was held at the 2024 Condobolin Show and was a raving success.

Learn more about the program and it's rich alumni though these short interviews live from the 2024 Pearl Picnic. Thank you to all of those who attended the event and were involved in this episode.
https://bit.ly/3XGwVg1

22/08/2024

What is behind Katie Powell’s sash?

Katie grew up in Narromine embedded in the community where she is now a primary school teacher. For her the Narromine Show has always been a family affair, where she was named the 2023 Narromine Young Woman. Katie is passionate about supporting performing arts in the bush and has also co-founded a not for profit called Thriv3. Katie lights up a room when she walks in, don’t miss out on this fantastic chat live from Narromine Show Ball.

LISTEN HERE: https://bit.ly/46Y3XMO
Narromine AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition

Also coming up:
Pearl Picnic this Saturday in Condo (24th Aug): https://www.facebook.com/share/bCVEHRAS4odgvtt8/
Centred for Success registrations close this weekend: https://www.centred-for-success.com/

11/08/2024

Welcome back to Behind the Sash!

In this episode we sit down with the wonderful Jessica Neale. Jessica was the 2019 Cootamundra Showgirl, and went on to be named the 2020 The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Showgirl.
She has made the most of every opportunity along her journey, despite COVID delaying Sydney Royal for her cohort. Jessica is also a role model for others who have moved communities or who are not from the land, that the program is accessible to any passionate young women in NSW.

It was a pleasure to sit down with Jessica and learn about her journey and where she is now. Learn more about what is behind her sash on your favourite podcast platform: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/behindthesash/episodes/Jessica-Neale-on-her-showgirl-journey-e2n24qp

25/07/2024

Charlotte McGrory is one of those people who lights up every room that she walks into. Through work experience at university, Charlotte found herself falling in love with the Bourke community where she is now a primary school teacher.

Charlotte was named Bourke Young Woman in 2023, and through support of her "Bourke family" found her way to Sydney Royal. In her spare time she founded Bourke Physie, plays rugby and is involved with her local show society. Charlotte has a wonderful story about the possibilities of moving out west, and some great advice for future Young Women!

LISTEN NOW: https://bit.ly/3ydNO9a

20/07/2024

Madisen McGill is proof that you can take a girl off the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the girl.

Madisen moved from Queensland to Coonabarabran where she was named the 2023 Young Woman. She loved being involved in the program, and is involved in AgShows more widely through horses.

During the day, Madisen is the Manager of the farm at Baradine Central School, where she helps engage young people in agriculture through developing cattle and sheep studs. This episode is a must-listen for any of our equestrian lovers!

LISTEN NOW: https://bit.ly/3W9KdRn

10/07/2024

Welcome back to Behind the Sash!

On this episode we get to sit down with the wonderful Olivia Hodgkin. Olivia is currently studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science in Wagga Wagga, and was the 2023 Junee Young Woman and a Zone 7 State Finalist.

Olivia is hoping to alleviate the pressure in rural and remote communities by providing veterinary services, knowledge and resources. Olivia plays an important role in the recognition of Veterinary Technology within Australia which she believes will further support the industry. As a relatively new member of the Junee community, Olivia hopes that the Young Woman experience helps strengthen her relationship with the town. Enjoy!

LISTEN HERE: https://bit.ly/3zxin9U

28/06/2024

On this episode of Behind the Sash we sit down with Rubey Williams!

You can’t help but brighten up listening to the bubbly Rubey. She was the 2023 Camden Young Woman and a state finalist, but her background and passion is in alpacas. She holds a range of alpaca accolades; Rubey was (and still is) the youngest qualified fleece and alpaca judge in Australia, was the youngest ASA Alpaca Young Judge winner, and is a joint owner at Storybook Alpacas just to name a few achievements.

Her involvement in the young woman program, and shows in general, has opened many doors for Rubey. Her advice is to be brave, take every opportunity, and grab the bull by the horns. You will absolutely love this chat with Rubey, and learn a lot about the alpaca industry! Listen now: https://bit.ly/45Kdcj2

20/06/2024

Welcome back to Behind the Sash! On todays episode we have the privilege of talking to Elinor Bowman. Elinor was the 2023 Singleton Young Woman, and a Zone 5 Finalist for The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition.

Elinor hails from Singleton in the Hunter Valley. Growing up, she knew that she was passionate about social justice and giving back to her community. Elinor went on to complete a double degree in law and international studies, and is now a corporate lawyer at Gilbert + Tobin.

Outside of work, you will find Elinor on the rugby field for Eastern Suburbs Rugby Union Football Club, at a CWA meeting or volunteering in the tea rooms for Singleton Show. She has also travelled extensively, and in this episode we dive into what it takes to be a young solo traveller.

Listen now: https://bit.ly/3VQNfuX

17/06/2024

Thank you so much to The Land for sharing!

The weekly podcast celebrates people in the young woman program.