Emma Pritchard
It wasn’t until Shannon Moran woke up on Sunday morning and saw the sash hanging in her room that she realised it hadn’t been a dream.
And while she admitted to feeling very nervous in the lead up to the event, her passionate community spirit, bubbly personality, and her down-to-earth smile and presentation ensured Shannon Moran impressed the judges during the Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Zone 1 Final in Kempsey on February 4, and earned herself the opportunity to represent the Maclean Show Society and the Clarence Valley in the State Final at the 2023 Sydney Royal Easter Show in April.
Alongside 11 other women from the Mid North Coast and North Coast of NSW, including 2022 Young Woman of the Land and Grafton Show Society representative Reny Dooley, Miss Moran said she felt excited just to be part of the celebrations.
After being awarded the title of 2022 Young Woman of the Land at the Maclean Show last year, Miss Moran, 20, said she felt extremely proud and very humble to be an ambassador for her local community.
She is also the first Maclean Show Society representative to progress to the State Final in over 20 years.
“I was shocked,” Miss Moran said as she recalled the moment her name was announced at the end of the night.
“I was happy, I was excited, I just kept looking around at everyone else in complete shock, and it didn’t really sink in until Sunday morning that I had made it to the State Final.
“All of my family and members of the Maclean Show Society were there to support me.
“It was one of the best nights of my life.”
During the event, Miss Moran and her fellow contestants were asked to demonstrate their knowledge of rural Australia, their understanding of the NSW AgShows history and organisation, and their compassion for their local communities.
Recalling a question she was asked about what she would do if she could be the Prime Minister for a day, Miss Moran impressed the judges by telling them she would focus on delivering more funding to rural areas to enable more doctors and general practitioners to service regional communities, therefore reducing the growing expenses and time country residents presently spend travelling to receive specialist medical attention.
As she prepares for the upcoming State Final, Miss Moran is focusing on expanding her rural and political knowledge and continuing her work as a vet nurse at the Maclean Veterinary Clinic.