Wellington Show’s Clair Stiff was selected to be one of the three Zone 6 finalists in 2026 The Land Sydney Royal Show Young Woman of the Year at Eugowra.
BY MARK GRIGGS
WELLINGTON SHOW’s 2025 Young Woman of the Year, Clair Stiff, never wondered that a ribbon at her local show would have as far-reaching consequences as becoming a finalist at Sydney Royal Show.
Clair with Blayney Show’s Eva Price and Forbes’ Libby Coles, were announced Zone 6 finalists heading for The Land 2026 Sydney Royal Show Young Woman of the Year.
Eugowra Show Society hosted the event which drew 21 finalists from throughout the Central West and Orana regions.
Clair said her plans of grooming and parading Poll Herefords during the ‘Royal’ had quickly changed.
“Instead of parading the cattle it will be me and the other finalists parading around the Sydney showground and meeting other people, which will be amazing,” she said.
“It will be a busy week, but rewarding.”
“I was to go down with Michelle and Luke Cross of Glenalvie Poll Hereford stud, and Bev and Allan Hutchinson of Kalnee Park Poll Hereford stud from Wellington.”
Finalist judges were Karen Bailey of The Land, Phil Lemieus of PSC Insurance and Jody Nelson-Gleeson, Vice-president AgShows NSW, while Caddie Marshall was the after-dinner onstage interviewer.
Clair said the event started with a luncheon in the new community centre which was built after the November 22 devastating floods that literally wiped-out much of the town.
Interviews began after lunch and continued throughout the afternoon.
“We had a little bit of a conversation at first, asked questions about Wellington – what’s so great about the community, then some discussion about the concerns in the world and linking that back to Wellington,” she said.
“Then a little bit about the 150th Wellington Show coming up, and the committee working hard to get some major events happening.
“The show is organising a reunion of as many former Showgirls and Young Women as it can going back to 1963.
“ I was also asked about renewable energy and how that linked to agriculture and linking that back to Wellington which has become a hub for solar and wind farms and
associated infrastructure.”
“Myself and the girls were hosted at homes throughout the town to prepare for the Ball and Dinner that evening which was incredible.”
Clair said it was so interesting that the whole of Eugowra came together and helped with this zone final.
After dinner all girls were interviewed on stage then lined up for the finalists’ announcements.
“On stage I was asked specific questions on my research, which is amazing how that links to AgShows and agriculture in general,” she said.
“I think the amount of awareness that I’ve been able to distribute on Endometriosis and women’s health issues in agriculture in general has been wonderful.
“I had so many women come up to me and show their support for the study and all the things that I’m doing as well as asking questions about it and trying to raise their concerns as well.
“So, I think that was something that really stood out to me.
“No matter whether I’m successful as the state’s Young Woman or not, I think in my eyes it’s getting the awareness out there and feeling the support is good enough for me. This is so exciting, Sydney will be amazing.
“I’m really happy that I joined the competition and now aim to encourage other young women to get involved this year in Wellington.
“That’s my next goal - to get other young women to enter the local competition. It’s a great journey and I’m sure they will love it as much as I have.”