Maddy Dillon and Rose Mills won the North Coast National Young Woman and Teen Showgirl titles on Saturday night at Norma's Kitchen under the main grandstand at the Lismore Showground. The first official function in the building since its flood refurbishment was completed just before the 2023 Lismore Show.

A full room of supportive parents and friends eagerly awaited the result as seven contestants were introduced and interviewed by MCs Marilyn and Tara Coles.

As part of the judging criteria, each entrant spent some time with the three judges, Jeri Hall, Lyndall Gordon, and Joe Martin, before Saturday night's presentation event.

Lyndall Gordon said that each entrant has shown " remarkable character, leadership, and commitment to your community, which is exactly what this competition is all about."

"We're looking for more than just skills and achievements. We're here to celebrate resilience, vision and the power to inspire and change. The future belongs to those who lead with heart, and tonight, you've proven you are ready to make this mark."

(The Young Woman and Teen Showgirl entrants for 2024)

Young Woman Entrants

Charlie Murray is 22 from North Lismore and works at the Casino Food Co-op. Part of her role is to receive, draft, and muster the cattle at the Co-op. Her dream is "to go to Canada to see how the red meat industry is done, but I really want to go to the Calgary Stampede."

Lucinda Downs is 19 from Wollongbar and works as an office junior for Sommerville Laundry Lomax Solicitors. Lucinda has been part of Rous Unplugged, a monthly talent show donating money to various causes, "I perform about three or four times. I play piano, and my friend sings with me."

Maddy Dillon is 22 from Coraki and works on dairy farm. She gets up at 3:30am, starting work at 4am to bring the cows in and milk them. Maddy explained how AI is being used to manage the herd; "They're essentially like a Fitbit for a cow. They record movement on the cows, and can record their heat cycles, which makes it easy for farmers to know when cows are in heat."

Eliza Toole is 20 from Lismore and is a Disability Support Worker. In the future, Eliza wants to combine working for the NDIS and her love of animals. "I love being a support worker but bloody hell I love the animals. So, I was like how do I get this to mix in well."

Maddy Dillon was announced as the 2024 North Coast National Young Woman and won $1,000 from the Far North Coast Law Society, a gift from the Jewellery Design Centre, and a Deportment Course in Dubbo in 2025, thanks to Mortgage Choice. The runner-up was Charlie Murray. She received a gift from the Jewellery Design Centre.

Teen Showgirl Entrants

Isabella Johnson is 15, is from South Lismore, and attends Richmond River High School. Isabella was part of ABC Takeover Lismore and with friends created High School Haven, "Which is a program where teenagers from 14 to 18 who are in school, work, family home situations, everything, where they can go in and be themselves and make friends."

Shenae Flanagan is 16 from Wyrallah. She is studying Beauty Therapy full-time at Wollongbar TAFE whose dream is to work in the movie make-up industry, "To do all the special effects like you see in the movies, like Spiderman or Deadpool."

Rose Mills is 14 and attends St John's College Woodlawn. At a young age, Rose has her career path set out, "When I graduate, I want to be a Human Rights Lawyer. So, studying at Sothern Cross University or the University of Melbourne. I really like the concept of Human Rights where everybody is equal, and there is justice for all."

Rose Mills was announced as the 2024 Teen Showgirl and won $250 thanks to Warren Innes Contracting. The runner-up was Shenae Flanagan, who won $100.

Maddie will now be an ambassador for rural, regional and remote NSW for twelve months and will represent North Coast National at zone level. Two zone winners then head to Sydney to represent Lismore at the Royal Easter Show.

Maddie and Rose will be part of the 2024 Elders Lismore Show, which begins on Thursday morning at 8:30, with the horse events in the main ring at the Lismore Showgrounds.

President John Gibson said the ground is in good condition considering the rain we've had, and was confident in the weather forecast for the three days. The Bureau is forecasting some showers but with a low chance of rain.

Due to the cancellation of the Kyogle Show last weekend, some ride operators arrived early, including the Ferris Wheel, which has been lit up every night.

You can check out more information about the 2024 Elders Lismore Show via the North Coast National website or through the button on the front page of the Lismore App 2024 Lismore Show.