The Land Sydney Royal Showgirl Competition for 2016 began this weekend in the Clarence Valley, with Zone One Showgirl finalists facing their first public appearance last Saturday evening. The Zone One final was held at a dinner on Saturday 27th February, at the Grafton Showground’s historic barn. The event for the Clarence Valley this year is of double importance, with the Grafton Show celebrating its 150th anniversary. The event had 16 entrants from all over the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast, including two from the Clarence Valley, Taylah Power-Casson from Maclean and Fiona Green from Grafton. Other entrants come from as far as Gloucester and Taree in the south, to Woodenbong in the far north. The competition aims to find a young female Ambassador for rural NSW. The winning Showgirl of each local Show Society is selected by a panel of three judges. Duties of the overall winner involves many official and informal duties, both locally and nationally. The judging dinner commenced at the barn at 5.45pm and included a two course dinner and speeches from the local Member, Chris Gulaptis and Grafton Show Society President, Rex Green. Winners of the Zone 1 final were Gabriella Elder Robinson from Lismore and Ashley Olsen from Wauchope. They will travel to Sydney for the Royal Easter Show.