Stephanie Rees was announced as winner of the 2008 Zoo FM Dubbo Showgirl competition that was judged on Saturday.

Miss Rees was excited and surprised yesterday after the announcement on Saturday night.

“I’m a bit younger and this was my

first time entering the competition,” she said.

Now the 20-year-old, who has lived in Dubbo since she was in Year 1, is looking forward to her year of representing Dubbo and bringing the show to life.

Having entered the horse riding, handicrafts and cooking sections in the past, Miss Rees will now see the

show from a behind-the-scenes perspective.

“It will be good to see how it is

put together and comes together,” she said.

Miss Rees said coming from a rural background and seeing the exposure

of the showgirls had prompted her to enter.

“The show requires the time and effort of a lot of people,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to meeting them and organising a massive event like this will be a good experience.”

Miss Rees is a finance and law student at Newcastle University and said the judges had a tough decision.

“I had a great day with the other entrants who are all lovely girls,” she said.

Showgirl co-ordinator Jane Diffey said this year’s competition was all about quality not quantity.

“The five girls were excellent entrants,” she said.

The day started at 10am when Miss Rees was the first to be interviewed by judges Val Cannon from Peak Hill, Shaunagh Mfula from Sydney and Paul Spargo from Wellington.

Judging continued at a three-course luncheon before the final decision was made after the girls spoke to the audience of 70 at the Western Plains Cultural Centre.

Keera Board was runner-up and she and entrants Lucy Carr, Heather Bowdren and Jackie Hunt will join Miss Rees at the official opening of the Dubbo Show on Saturday April 26.

faye.wheeler@ruralpress.com