23-year-old Morgan Tilker is the first Yass woman to represent the Show in the Sydney Royal AgShows NSW Young Woman Competition in several years.
Before attending a show in Nimmitabel, entering at Yass’s entrant would never have crossed her mind.
It was only through connections with a friend who knew the Yass Show Society President, Anne Hazell, that her journey started.
“Anne said they’d been looking for a young woman for years, but hadn’t had one for Yass,” says Morgan.
Morgan’s friend was the one to nominate her, propelling the sheep farmhand into the spotlight.
“Anne and I got to chatting and then we ended up catching up for dinner,” she says.
“We caught up with a few from the Yass Show Society and we went from there.”
Morgan was officially sashed at the 2026 Yass Show by the Yass Show Society and is now on her way to representing the region in the Zone finals.
“It’s been something that I’ve thought about before, and I’ve wanted to do it, but I haven’t had the confidence to have a go,” she says.
“But I loved every bit of the show, it was great.”
The competition, formerly known as the Showgirl championships, invites the winners of each Zone final to attend the 2027 Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Morgan will now be heading to the Zone 3 Finals, although her roles and responsibilities have already commenced.
“We’re going to do a ball in August, so I’ll be part of the organisers for that, and then [I’ll] be going through a few developmental phases and courses throughout the year,” she says.
Morgan has also been indoctrinated in the Yass committee and will be playing an important role in the organisation and implementation of next year’s Yass Show.
Her favourite part of participating within the competition, she says, is seeing the empowerment of women.
“It encourages more young women to step out of their comfort zones and represent themselves and better themselves while helping out their community,” she says.
Originally from Bega, Morgan works on a local cattle station, and says it has always been a lifelong dream to work within agriculture.
“I’ve always been in the agricultural industry,” she says.
“I’ve been on dairy farms and shearing sheds, and I’ve got a high interest in working dogs.”
The end goal, she says, has always been to own her own property. For now though, her sights are set on putting the Yass Show on the map.
“I’m a bit excited and nervous at the same time,” she says.
“But I’m looking forward to it and it’s going to be a great year [with] lots of opportunities.”
– Elizabeth Kovacs
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