Behind the Sash

Behind the Sash

Behind the Sash
Country Australia
Language EN-AU
Episodes 87
Latest 29.01.2026

Behind the Sash is a fortnightly podcast that celebrates and shares the voices of Showgirls from around New South Wales. Each episode gives these local women a platform to tell their own stories and reflect on their communities. It highlights that while not every Showgirl reaches the state final, each one is a local hero worth hearing from.

Episodes

  • Cassie Bush - The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman 2025 29.01.2026 26m
    Welcome back to Behind the Sash! In this episode Elinor Bowman sits down with Cassie Bush, the 2024 Cootamundra Young Woman and The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman 2025.
  • Special Episode: Meet the Zone 7 Finalists for 2025 17.04.2025 29m
    In the lead up to the 2025 The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition, we are so excited to introduce you to this years finalists. In this episode Elinor Bowman sits down with Brianna Pilon from Weethalle and Cassandra Bush from Cootamundra who are representing Zone 7 this year.
  • Special Episode: Meet the Zone 6 Finalists for 2025 11.04.2025 54m
    In the lead up to the 2025 The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition, we are so excited to introduce you to this years finalists. In this episode Sammy Cormie-Smith sits down with Isabel Smith from Bathurst, Sophie Cargill from Dubbo and Tessa Parry from Coonamble who are representing Zone 6 this year.
  • Special Episode: Meet the Zone 5 Finalists for 2025 11.04.2025 28m
    In the lead up to the 2025 The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition, we are so excited to introduce you to this years finalists. In this episode Sammy Cormie-Smith sits down with Eloise Haigh from Upper Hunter and Ninoska Birchall from Mudgee who are representing Zone 5 this year.
  • Special Episode: Meet the Zone 3 Finalists for 2025 11.04.2025 22m
    In the lead up to the 2025 The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition, we are so excited to introduce you to this years state finalists. In this episode Elinor Bowman sits down with Claire Liverslidge from Goulburn and Emily Lucas from Cooma.
  • Special Episode: Meet the Zone 4 Finalists for 2025 08.04.2025 36m
    In the lead up to the 2025 The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition, we are so excited to introduce you to this years state finalists. In this episode Sammy Cormie-Smith sits down with Chennelle Winsor from Gunnedah and Claudia Williams from Narrabri who are representing Zone 4 this year.
  • Special Episode: Meet the Zone 2 Finalists for 2025 04.04.2025 39m
    In the lead up to the 2025 The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition, we are so excited to introduce you to this years state finalists. In this episode Elinor Bowman sits down with Bonnie Cox from Berry and Ellie Eather from Dapto who are representing Zone 2 this year.
  • Special Episode: Meet the Zone 1 Finalists for 2025 04.04.2025 30m
    In the lead up to the 2025 The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition, we are so excited to introduce you to this years state finalists. In this episode Elinor Bowman sits down with Phoebe Southwell from Kempsey and Summer Chaseling from Bangalow who are representing Zone 1 this year.
  • Sophie Heffernan on her passion for community and horsemanship 26.02.2025 18m
    Sophie Heffernan grew up on her family's beef property in Candelo where she is now a tax accountant and book keeper. Growing up, show memories ranged from cooking for the pavillion, to entering in horse events, and was always a annual highlight for Sophie's family. Horses have been also been a big part of her life, leading Sophie to join the Candello Campdraft committee and to begin instructing young women in her region. Sophie was the 2023 Candelo Show Young Woman, and was proud to represent her community as a 2024 The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW State Finalist. In this chat Sophie gives ideas for small ways people can support community events, and shares how starting her own business has given her flexibility to chase her passions.
  • Stephanie Hennings has run around the world while pursuing her passion for agriculture 28.01.2025 17m
    Stephanie Hennings became passionate about shows through growing up on her family's Angus cattle stud in Camden. She went on to study a Bachelor of Agriculture and Business at UNE where she was an AgriFutures Horizon Scholar and undertook an exchange program to Purdue University, USA. Stephanie was named the 2023 Camden Show Young Woman where she grew up showing and volunteering. and then went on to represent Zone 2 at Sydney Royal in 2024. You can find Stephanie in the office to the paddock in her role as a Farm Services Field Officer for the a2 Milk Company. She also loves running and has completed marathons around the world. Learn more about Stephanie in our chat.
  • Eliza Whiteley's focus and vision on her community 21.01.2025 17m
    Like many rural women, Eliza Whiteley wears a few hats. Eliza studied optometry at Deakin University, before returning back to Central West NSW where she worked as a locum optometrist for many years supporting eye health in rural communities. This year she reached a new milestone as she began her own optometry practice in Dubbo, Whitely Optometry. However, Eliza is also Co-Principal of Glenalbyn Santa Getrudis with her husband Jack and has grown up involved in Wellington Show. In 2023 she was named Wellington Show Society's Young Woman and went on to represent Zone 6 at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in 2024. Eliza has some incredible insights about her journey in and out of the program. We hope you enjoy this chat.
  • Special episode: Welcome Elinor Bowman 14.01.2025 7m
    Welcome to 2025! This special episode we are excited to introduce Elinor Bowman as a new host on the Behind the Sash podcast. Elinor has been a previous guest on the podcast and we are very excited to have her on board to interview our amazing Young Woman guests. For this special episode you can learn a bit more about Elinor and hear about the upcoming Zone Final dates.
  • Simone Ducker will be designing future Australia 08.01.2025 19m
    What does Better Homes and Gardens, kick boxing, and crochet have in common? These are all passions of Simone Ducker! Simone was the 2023 Wauchope Young Woman, and a Zone 1 Finalist at the 2024 Sydney Royal Easter Show. Simone has just granted from a combined degree of Civil Engineering (Honours) and Design in Architecture. At every turn Simone has been passionate about the communities she lives in and a big part of her life has been growing up around the Wauchope Show. This is a great episode to listen to in the lead up to Zone Finals to show there is really no mould for what a Young Woman looks like.
  • Amelia Bryant on her nursing journey and strong connection to AgShows 14.11.2024 28m
    Amelia Bryant has been involved in the show movement from tiny tots up to horse section judging. Amelia was the 2021 Wellington Show Young Woman, and has since taken over Young Woman Coordinator of the Wellington Show Society. It’s been a special full circle moment this year with Amelias sister Adelaide taking on the Wellington Young Woman title. Amelia also recommends the Centred for Success program run by Lyndsey and Patrice Douglas. In this chat Amelia chats through her career in nursing, and her pathway and passion for neo-natal care. This is a fantastic insight into what sits behind a Young Woman Sash and is perfect in the lead up to Zone Finals early next year.
  • Emma Johnston says do the things that scare you the most 06.11.2024 13m
    What is Behind the Sash of Emma Johnston? In a rural community there are many hats to wear- and I think you’ll find Emma wears every kind Emma is an artist, sports coach, scout, show volunteer and member of Hay Youth Taskforce. She has many accolades including most recently the 2024 Transgrid Indigenous Achievement Award from 7news. All this, and Emma was only 19 when she was a The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW State Finalist this year. This chat was recorded live from Hay Show as Emma saw out her year as Hay Young Woman.
  • Sarah Wood has a passion for agriculture that has taken her across NSW 23.10.2024 23m
    Sarah Wood was the 2022 Cowra Young Woman and a 2023 State Finalist in The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition. Sarah has drawn so much from the young woman program and has made life long friends and connections through the Show movement. The journey has followed her to Moree, where she is now an agronomist excited to work in summer cropping systems and to be involved in a new community. Learn more about what sits behind Sarah Wood's sash.
  • Special episode: Pearl Picnic Condobolin Show 2024 29.09.2024 13m
    This year was the inaugural Pearl Picnic, a reunion of women from the The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Showgirl and Young Woman movement. Organised by Florance McGufficke and Lyndsey Douglas, the first ever Pearl Picnic was held at the 2024 Condobolin Show and was a raving success. Learn more about the program and it's rich alumni though these short interviews live from the 2024 Pearl Picnic. Thank you to all of those who attended the event and were involved in this episode. *A note on this episode: we apologise that some of the audio quality is poor given the live recording conditions* In order of appearance: Sammy Cormie Smith - Coonabarabran 2019 Paris Capell - Orange 2023 Kennedy Porter - Dubbo 2012 Jami Emery- Condobolin 2015 Sophie Cargill- Dubbo 2024 Ashley Gallagher- Milton 2011 Tori Whiley- Condo 2017 Sarah Groat - Walgett 2013 Jessica Neal - Cootamundra 2019 Tasha Hurley - Condobolin 2013 Emily Porter - Cootamundra 2023 Ninoska Birchall - Mudgee 2023/4 Mandy Colless - Condobolin Show 2019 Janeen Coles -Peak Hill 1987 Florence McGufficke - Cooma 2022/3 Eliza Babazogli - Hawkesbury 2020 Gypsy Marshall - Taree 2021 Jo Hurley - Condobolin 1980 Lee Cobb - Condobolin 1995 Stephanie Clancy - Walbundrie 2018 Michelle McGufficke - Cooma 1986 Georgie Sutherland Condobolin 2010 Alessandra Chamen- Condobolin 2022 Kate Scone - Camden 2015 Bec Hurley - Condobolin 1988 Jennifer Kelly - Condobolin 1985 Lyndsey Douglas - Condobolin 2007
  • Katie Powell is an educator, co-founder and has a heart of gold 22.08.2024 14m
    What is behind Katie Powell’s sash? Katie grew up in Narromine embedded in the community where she is now a primary school teacher. For her the Narromine Show has always been a family affair, where she was named the 2023 Narromine Young Woman. Katie is passionate about supporting performing arts in the bush and has also co-founded a not for profit called thirv3 (https://www.thriv3.com.au/). Katie lights up a room when she walks in, don’t miss out on this fantastic chat live from Narromine Show Ball. Also coming up:  Pearl Picnic this Saturday in Condo (24th Aug): https://www.facebook.com/share/bCVEHRAS4odgvtt8/ Centred for Success registrations close this weekend: https://www.centred-for-success.com/
  • Jessica Neale on her showgirl journey 11.08.2024 18m
    Welcome back to Behind the Sash! In this episode we sit down with the wonderful Jessica Neale. Jessica was the 2019 Cootamundra Showgirl, and went on to be named the 2020 The Land Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Showgirl. She has made the most of every opportunity along her journey, despite COVID delaying Sydney Royal for her cohort. Jessica is also a role model for others who have moved communities or who are not from the land, that the program is accessible to any passionate young women in NSW. It was a pleasure to sit down with Jessica and learn about her journey and where she is now. Learn more about what is behind her sash on your favourite podcast platform:
  • Charlotte McGrory thinks west is best 25.07.2024 17m
    Charlotte McGrory is one of those people who lights up every room that she walks into. Through work experience at university, Charlotte found herself falling in love with the Bourke community where she is now a primary school teacher. Charlotte was named Bourke Young Woman in 2023, and through support of her "Bourke family" found her way to Sydney Royal. In her spare time she founded Bourke Physie, plays rugby and is involved with her local show society. Charlotte has a wonderful story about the possibilities of moving out west, and some great advice for future Young Women.

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