Serena Mangan, 23, has been crowned the 2019 North Coast National Senior Showgirl.

Serena, a nurse at Lismore Base Hospital said when Showgirl judges asked her what she would showcase about the Lismore area, she replied “local produce”.

“We have so much first-class local produce in our area and I said I’d show people the local farmers’ markets – as well as the Lismore Show,” she said.

Serena grew up in Spring Grove and lives with her mum and dad on a three acre block with a dairy farm on one side and cattle on the other.

“And across the creek, my grandma has donkeys,” she said.

“I’ve always been surrounded by the agricultural industry and I look forward to learning more about it.”

Serena took holidays from her job as a nurse to be in the running for Showgirl.

Pictured: Lismore nurse Serena Mangan at the Show.

She said the Lismore Showgirl competition is not a beauty competition. 

“It’s about being an ambassador in your area and includes working in the community and understanding all about what the Lismore Show is about,” she said.

“It was really close - three girls went for it and there weren’t many points between us.

“Judges chose based on personality, confidence, dress and diction.

“We went in front of a panel of three judges who asked us how we are involved in community and why we wanted to be showgirl.

“I saw it as an opportunity to increase my confidence and get involved in the show and see it from a different perspective.”

As well as Senior Showgirl, judges chose winners in the categories of Teen, Little Miss and Junior.

Serena said she got her hair done by major sponsor The Boys Hair and Makeup.

“Alex at The Boys got us prettied up and we went to the Workers Club for a formal dinner where the winners were presented with prizes,” she said.

“I won cash, a voucher to Tahiti Hut – which I love - and a voucher to have dress tailered for me to go to the Regional Showgirl competition next March.

“I also have an opportunity to go to deportment classes in Dubbo in February.”

Serana already has a busy schedule ahead, with an opportunity to get involved with a Melbourne Cup luncheon and presenting a trophy at the speedway.

“I’m really excited,” she said.

“I’d like to be a role model and meet other amazing women in the agricultural industry 

“I’ve already learned so much.

“This year’s Lismore Show was awesome. 

There was a good turn out – one of the biggest I’ve seen in a while - and the exhibitions were amazing.

“When the cattle show was on, I got to sash some of the winning cows and got close and personal to them.

Pictured: Serena Mangan sashes cows at the Show.

“Last year’s Showgirl Jenna Robinson was a great mentor 2018 and helped me with nerves before my interview.

“Hopefully we can work together to keep the Showgirl competition alive.

“I really encourage others to enter next year - I wish I went for it when I was younger. It was really fun.”