Yass Valley’s Grace Armour represented the Yass Valley as the Yass Show Society’s Young Woman of the Year at The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Competition at Crisps Gallery on the 25th of February.
Whilst not winning on the night, Grace has committed to giving the competition another crack in 2024 and proved herself as a wonderful ambassador for our region.
Grace was interviewed on the night by MC Jim Hutton, Vice-President of the Yass Valley Business Chamber, as she explained her strong connection to Yass Valley’s rural community & Agricultural Shows.
“My family have been showing horses and sheep for years and years, so obviously I wanted to follow in their footsteps,” Grace said.
“I showed horses at the Pony Club for pretty well my entire life, before moving on to the junior judging. I was fortunate to be a state finalist for the junior judging itself at Sydney Royal Show for about three or four years in a row, which was an incredible experience.
“Then I moved onto the judges. I was also fortunate enough to judge at the Yass Show last year, which was a very privileged experience for me and I look forward to doing more of it.”
Grace has also been a motivated member of the Binaling rescue squad.
“Two years ago maybe, I started volunteering with my mother in the Driver Reviver van at Bookham, which is a tiny little restaurant on the highway between Sydney and Melbourne.
“I found it a really valuable way to meet so many different people, often from city centres and hear their stories, and they always wanted to hear ours and talk about rural areas and what Bookham had to offer and what Yass is like.
“I was able to expand on all those different industries and sheep, and what the value of that industry is.”
Meanwhile, Cooma’s Florence McGufficke who shone brightest at The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW competition last month at Crisps Gallery became the overall winner and will now go on to represent Zone 3 at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in April at the Sydney Showgrounds.
Yass Valley Deputy Mayor Jasmin Jones attended the evening and declared it was an honour to watch Yass Valley’s Grace Armour shine as our community’s talented representative.
“I would encourage young girls from Yass Valley intending to visit the Yass Show or other regional shows to seek out these wonderful ambassadors for our region for a good chat as they have a wealth of knowledge, skills and encouragement to share. They are true role models for youth in their own communities and beyond,” Mrs Jones said.
“Events like this just don’t happen without an awful lot of volunteer work behind the scenes and the Yass Show Society, particularly Catriona McAuliffe need to be acknowledged along with the hard-working venue team under the leadership of Mr Peter Crisp from Crisp Galleries” Mrs Jones added.
Following the announcement of her Zone 3 win, Florence took the opportunity to thank all who helped her on her journey, as well as recognise the fantastic hospitality that the community of Yass showed on her visit.
“It’s an honour and privilege to be representing Zone 3. I couldn’t have done it without all of the girls here tonight, we all did great, you should be proud of yourselves,” Florence said.
“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Cooma Show for believing in me and supporting me, and thank my family for being here and supporting me and always being there for me.
“Thank you to Catriona and Grace for being so accommodating today. It was so lovely.
“To the judges, Brett, Dennis and Sally, I had a great day. It was lovely to have lunch, everyone felt so welcoming, so it was a really great day had by all.
“Thank you to AgShows NSW and all the major sponsors for making this possible, it’s a huge opportunity and were very lucky, so thank you for all your support.
“Thank you, Jim Hutton, (MC, representing Yass Valley Business Chamber) for being so accommodating on stage tonight. I wish everybody the best and I feel honoured and proud. I hope I do everybody proud in Zone 3.
Well done to all the young women and we look forward to seeing Florence’s accomplishments at the Sydney Royal Easter Show next month.
Tim Warren
