Chennelle reps at Easter Show

Gunnedah had its first Young Woman representative at the Royal Sydney Easter Show in 10 years with Chennelle Winsor.

Chennelle was among 15 women who represented their area within the NSW boundaries.

It was an extensive schedule during the six days she was expected to attend the show.

From dinner with the judges, interviews, behind the scene tours, being presented with a

medallion from Governor Margaret Beazley, helping with the crafts, in the horse ring, at the cattle paraders, rubbing shoulders with industry professionals and forming bonds with the other women – her time was well spent.

She even assisted with the domestic animal section where she captured a photo with a well-groomed rat.

“It was probably one of my highlights,” Chennelle said.

On the Sunday, she had brunch with the other young women and their families before taking to the stage for her interview.

Chennelle agreed that people may not understand the amount of work required for young women competitors. Admitting before her own experience, she had thought of it as a weekend competition.

“People are still stuck in the olden times where they see it as a pageant,” Chennelle said.

Looking back at the year she has had since winning the Gunnedah Show’s Young Women Representative, she understands fully the commitment it requires.

Not only did Chennelle help on the home front, she had also assisted at the Barraba and Manilla shows when volunteers needed extra hands.

“I have met so many people along the way,” she said.

Chennelle gave a glowing review of her fellow competitors at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

“They were so amazing,” she said.

“I was very overwhelmed when I got to Sydney,” she said, recalling how her roommates helped her settle into the city.

“I truly met lifelong friends there.”

Each woman had different professions and brought a variety of skills to the competition.

Chennelle’s focus has now turned to helping other rural women upskill into agriculture professions.

Her next aim is to bring in a program to help young women get hands-on experience.

It would show these women basic skills, such as in contract mustering or techniques of a stockhand.

“It is just so they feel confident in knowing they have the basic knowledge to extend in the agriculture industry,” she said.