Young Woman

Young Woman & Miss Maitland

Could you be the next Maitland Show Young Woman Ambassador?

Applications are now open for the 2027 Maitland Show Young Woman Competition, with just one month remaining to apply!

The Young Woman Competition is one of New South Wales’ most respected leadership and ambassador programs, offering young women the opportunity to represent their local community while developing valuable personal and professional skills.

Whether you become a Local Finalist, Zone Finalist or progress to the Sydney Royal Easter Show, this experience opens doors to lifelong friendships, leadership opportunities, confidence and community connections. Many participants continue to become influential leaders and passionate advocates long after the competition has ended.

✨ What’s Included?

💰 $1,000 Cash Prize 👗👠👜
🏨 Personal Deportment Course and overnight stay in Dubbo valued at over $500
🎁 Additional gift vouchers and prizes
🤝 Opportunities to attend local business and community events alongside Maitland City Council the Mayor of Maitland, Maitland Business Chamber, and other community organisations.
🍷 Represent Maitland Show at special events throughout the year, including our Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Show & Luncheon at Maitland Town Hall on Friday, 30 October 2026.
🎡 Play an important ambassadorial role at the 165th Maitland Show, to be held “Celebrating 165 years” 12–13-14 February 2027, with successful entrants required to be available across all three show days.

If you’re passionate about your community, enjoy meeting new people, and are looking to build confidence, leadership skills and lasting connections, we’d love to hear from you.

🌟 Take the leap, challenge yourself, and become the next face of the Maitland Show.

Applications close in one month – don’t miss this incredible opportunity!

Please mail or deliver all forms to:
Maitland Showground
50 Blomfield Street
Maitland NSW 2320
Email: office@maitlandshowground.com.au

Please click here for 2026 applicant information

Important Information to know about the Young Woman & Miss Maitland competition for 2026/27

Applications close on Wednesday, 26 August 2026 at midnight.

Judging takes place on Saturday, 5 September 2026 at Maitland Showground.

Gala Dinner and Presentation Night on Saturday, 12 September 2026 5:30pm for 6pm start at Maitland Showground. Tickets on sale soon.

If you are a local business and would like to sponsor or donate something towards this year’s competition, please reach out to us Mon-Fri 9am – 2pm on 49335052 or email events@maitlandshowground.com.au with your enquiry.

We cannot wait to receive your applications. Please reach out if you require any further details.

Celebrating Our Young Woman & Miss Maitland – Gemalla

We are incredibly proud of our 2026–2027 Young Woman & Miss Maitland, Gemalla de Beuzeville-Howarth, who has been honoured with a second term representing the Maitland Show and our community at Maitland.

Gemalla has embraced every opportunity her role has brought, from attending community events and citizenship ceremonies to inspiring young people to become involved in the Maitland Show. Her passion for community, volunteering and preserving local traditions shines through in everything she does.

One of Gemalla’s goals during her second term is to encourage more young people to discover what the Maitland Show is all about. As she says, the Show is so much more than rides and showbags—it’s a place where you can showcase your talents, learn new skills, make lifelong memories and become part of something truly special.

Her message is simple: there’s something for everyone at the Maitland Show. Whether your interests are cooking, sewing, art, photography, gardening, livestock or simply getting involved as a volunteer, now is the perfect time to start preparing for the 2027 Show.

Thank you, Gemalla, for being such a wonderful ambassador for our community. We can’t wait to see all you’ll achieve throughout your second term.

Miss Maitland is supported by Mayor Philip Penfold at Maitland City Council each year.

“I love my community in all its ways, shapes and forms.” – Gemalla

About Young Woman & Miss Maitland

The Young Woman Competition is a significant movement across New South Wales and provides young women an opportunity to become advocates in their local communities as rural ambassadors.

No matter if you are a local finalist, Zone finalist or Sydney Royal Show finalist, the competition can open many professional and personal opportunities. Even after the Young Woman competition, most contestants continue to be valuable leaders in their communities with purpose and ambition.

Please click here for 2026 applicant information

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Our 2025 Young Woman & Miss Maitland Gala Dinner Night

Congratulations to Gemalla De Beuzeville-Howarth

THANK YOU CAYLIN KING

As we look back on the 2024/2025 term, we’re filled with immense pride and gratitude for the incredible achievements of Caylin King. Your dedication and leadership throughout the Young Woman and Miss Maitland program was nothing short of inspiring.

Congratulations, Caylin, on being an engaged, passionate, and truly inspirational young adult. Your commitment to agriculture and to the Maitland Show community has left a meaningful and lasting impact. You’ve helped shape a brighter future for our region and shown everyone what heart, hard work, and true leadership look like.

Your dedication Caylin to our Donkey section at the Show along with Christine Berry OAM is to be acknowledged for Donkey Welfare With Heart Inc. a charity close to both their hearts. Please support if you can in the future.

We are so proud to celebrate you and your journey.

We would like to acknowledge our 2024 Young Woman & Miss Maitland was Sponsored by Mayor Philip Penfold at Maitland City Council for Miss Maitland

Beyond Bank, Maitland Business Chamber, East Maitland Florist, Hair by Devotion and Feast Catering.

Caylin King Dedication to her role as Young Woman & Miss Maitland 2024

It sounds like Young Woman & Miss Maitland 2024, Caylin King, is actively participating in her role by visiting Newcastle High School, Cooks Hill Campus. Her engagement with both students and teachers highlights her commitment to fostering community connections and promoting the Maitland spirit Mayor Philip Penfold Maitland City Council as part of our Maitland Show competitions.

This kind of outreach can inspire students and strengthen ties between local figures and educational institutions.

In 1962, twenty young female ambassadors entered the first Miss Showgirl competition, as it was originally known, with hopes of representing their region and working as ambassadors for women throughout rural New South Wales.

The competition has undergone a name change this year, with the new name reflecting the importance of the program along with its evolution. The young women entering today have great insight and knowledge of the issues faced in rural NSW, they are involved with their communities and are confident ambassadors. They are young women with purpose and ambition and ready to face the challenges and rewards offered by the agricultural show movement and deserving of the title The Land Sydney Royal Ag Shows Young Woman 2023 and the role of custodian and ambassador.

The competition plays a significant role in the development of rural women and boats incredible support from sponsors with over $40,000 in cash and prizes, another important progression from the $200 and silver tray won by Margaret Mackay in 1962.