“I was quite unwell, and I was up against some very good girls,” Ms Gattera said.

In fact, the Cooranbong resident was so ill that she had to be granted day release from Gosford Hospital in order to make the judging for the event.

But the judges were still obviously impressed by her CV, presentation, and extensive interest in all aspects of agricultural shows.

“I love shows. It’s my hobby,” the 20-year-old said.

Over the last seven years Ms Gattera has been involved in agricultural shows at Morisset, Newcastle, Maitland, Dubbo and Sydney.

She’s been a steward and judge, and helped to organise competitions in cake making, floristry and photography.

She entered the junior section of the Morisset Show Girl several years ago, and had watched how show girl entrants had developed their skills and furthered their interests in agriculture.

“I’d seen how being in the competition had opened some opportunities up for girls into agribusiness, and things like marketing in cattle,” she said. “So I thought I’d give it a go.”

Ms Gattera said she felt strongly about preserving the traditions of agricultural shows.

“It’s important to educate people on why shows are important and why we need to keep them going, and what they do for our community,” she said.

Agricultural shows were about bringing people together over shared interests, and keeping traditional and historical values alive.

“Shows also are important because they educate people about agriculture and the whole paddock-to-plate experience,” she said.

The Morisset Show Girl quest was a supportive environment in which young women would make friends, learn to develop a range of skills, and boost their self-esteem, she said.

“It’s a journey of helping yourself to become a better young woman.”

Ms Gattera has worked as an aged care nurse at Adventist Senior Living, at Avondale, for four years.

She is studying a bachelor of nursing, and a graduate diploma of paramedics.

Morisset Show’s record 15,000 crowd

Preview to 2018 Morisset Show