Are they viable? Will stud producers continue to show livestock?

Are young people interested in entering the showgirl competition or helping to volunteer and their local show?

These are all fair questions and most show societies would admit that they have come up against challenges in recent times.

Red tape for animal health issues such as ovine johne’s disease and bovine johne’s disease are hurdles that have been crossed.

And a few years back escalating insurance costs crossed the paths of show societies too.

So it is heartening to meet someone like Emily Jones who has embraced her local show and is planning to put her best foot forward at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Emily is from Henty. And at just 18 she has earned the title of Henty Showgirl.

She then had success at the zone showgirl finals in Hay which has given her that extremely valuable ticket to Sydney.

For her opportunities in rural areas abound. And this is her platform. She asks the question “why do you need to go to the cities when there are opportunities here.”

And she’s right. There are opportunities in rural and regional townships.

When she talks about Henty and the Greater Hume Shire, the Riverina and southern NSW she has such enthusiasm in her voice. 

If this enthusiasm is enough to encourage just one person to follow in her footsteps Emily has already done a great service. 

If the Henty Show on Saturday is to be a guide about the future of country shows they are in good shape.

Livestock exhibits and junior judging are driven by enthusiasm from school students who are studying agriculture and locals are still keen to participate too. 

Whether it’s a chocolate cake, a fine Merino fleece or a perfectly-presented hack these rural shows are the place to put our best on a pedestal.