2023 Clarence Valley Young Citizen of the Year

Emma Pritchard

For Nicole Cowling, it’s all about giving back to her local community.

Born and raised in Maclean, the 23-year-old is a passionate advocate for supporting and promoting local organisations including the Maclean Show Society and the Maclean Scottish Association, and she especially loves to encourage her senior peers and younger residents of the Lower Clarence community to become involved with them.

After being announced as the 2023 Clarence Valley Young Citizen of the Year last week, Miss Cowling said she was honoured to be presented with the award, humbly adding she doesn’t do what she does to receive recognition.

“The sense of fulfilment I feel when I give something back to the community that raised me, that’s why I do what I do,” she said proudly.

Nominated by Pru Ensby from the Maclean Show Society, Miss Cowling has previously represented her community as a Junior and Senior Maclean Showgirl and continues to play an active role in the organisation.

“The society have always supported me, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without them,” she said.

As she looks ahead to the next 12 months, Miss Cowling said she is excited to work alongside the 2023 Senior and Junior Maclean Showgirl candidates and encourage more people to involve themselves with community activities.