Lilly has a shot at winning the state title!

Bourke Showgirl, Lilly Hand, is off to Sydney for a shot at the state title, after the Zone 6 finals in the NSW Ag Show’s Young Woman Competition.

Lilly will be representing her hometown and the far western zone after the last round of zone finals in Condobolin on Saturday.

Next month at the prestigious Royal Easter Show, Lilly will compete for the Young Woman title against competitors from across the state. She is the first candidate from Bourke to make it through since 2007 Bourke Showgirl, Sarah Hearn, at the 2008 Royal Easter.

“I was blown away when I was announced as one of the finalists,” Lilly said. “I feel honoured and excited about the Royal Easter, and I am feeling a lot more confident about all of this now, knowing I have made it through.”

Lilly has been an exceptional ambassador for her hometown during the two years she has held the title.

When the Bourke Show and all other agricultural shows across NSW were cancelled in 2020, Lilly continued in the role for an additional year and made sure she didn’t waste the opportunity.

At the Condobolin Zone finals, she was joined by her parents, Warren and Susanne, and sister Claire, as well as Bourke Show President, Grace Ridge, and her husband Will.

During the selection process, Lilly attended a lunch for judges and entrants, followed by a one-on-one interview with the judges.

On Saturday evening, she and her family and guests attended a formal dinner, where each of the 19 contestants spoke on stage in front of the 160 invited guests.

“The Zone finals in Condobolin was full on, with luncheons and interviews. I sit down beforehand and think ‘I’ve got this’ but the nerves still hit you,” she said.

“I attended a personal development workshop in Dubbo at the start of the year in preparation and it was well worth it, because it gave me more confidence and I had a lot of guidance on things like dress code, preparation, and public speaking.

“I feel better prepared now for the finals and so proud of myself, not just because of my own achievements but to be able to represent Bourke.

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