Wellington Show Young Woman 2025, Clair Stiff is preparing for The Land Sydney Royal Show Young Woman Zone 6 Finals at Eugowra on Saturday, February 28.
In the meantime Clair is conducting a survey among rural women suffering from endometriosis to finalise her University Honours degree at Charles Sturt University.
SUFFERING FROM endometriosis is not going to stop Clair Stiff from enjoying life.
In fact, she is devoting her university studies to gain as much knowledge as possible of how it is affecting rural women and how are they dealing with the disease.
“As part of my Honours degree program I am exploring the experiences of endometriosis with women in regional, rural and remote areas who work in agricultural industries,” she said.
Her studies into this condition has been enhance by her passion for women’s health.
“Dealing with the disease myself and seeing the effects on agricultural lifestyle as well as managing this disease made me want to delve into the disease and its effects on rural women,” she said.
“There’s no real presence of articles in the media describing what the experience looks or feels like and the effect the disease has on women out here.
“So, I decided to direct her research towards rural omen through this survey.”
The survey started before Christmas and it is still open.
“It basically is touching base with women and their role in agriculture – what their agricultural context looks like, where they work, if they work on-farm or in the agribusiness sector or other areas,” Clair said.
The survey asks for their experience with endometriosis through more of a quantitative scale and then merging those together for some real raw questions, asking the participants to say whatever they would like about how the disease has affected their work life.
“From this information I will be able to analyse all the data and then publish a Paper by the end of the year.
“I have two supervisors through Charles Sturt University helping me.”
Clair said she had already received a “massive response”.
“It’s really great, but I would love to get a few more people involved” she said.
Women who would like to contribute to the survey just need to go onto Clair’s social media, facebook or Instagram on: clair_stiff and follow the link to her survey directory.
The survey will close after the first week of March.
Wellington’s 2025 Woman of the Year
The whole of Wellington is right behind Clair Stiff as she prepares for the Zone 6 Finals of The Land Newspaper 2026 Woman of the Year competition, with finalists attending the grand judging and announcement during this year’s Sydney Royal Show.
Preparations are also ongoing for the 150th Wellington Show’s Young Woman event where it is hoped as many previous ‘Showgirls” will return for the celebration Show on May 16.
Entries for this year’s Young Woman contest are now open. Contact the Wellington Show Society.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is when body tissue similar to the uterus lining (endometrium) grows outside the uterus.
It usually grows in the pelvis but can occur in almost any part of the body.
The hormone oestrogen can cause this tissue to grow and break down when you have your period.
This can lead to pain and inflammation.
There can also be scarring, causing organs to stick together (known as adhesions).
Endometriosis is a progressive and chronic condition, meaning it gets worse over time.
It can be very painful and can affect fertility.
In Australia, around one in nine females develops endometriosis and can experience symptoms even after menopause.
There is no cure for endometriosis but there are treatments to relieve symptoms.
As a major sponsor of the Wellington Show Young Woman of the Year contest, Wellington & District Leader encourages young women to enter the Show’s 150th anniversary contest by contacting Wellington Show Society on 0428 463 496