The Sydney Royal Easter Show is entering a new era after its iconic showgirl competition was renamed after 60 years to Young Woman of the Year.
"The change of name was undertaken so it actually resonated with the contemporary young woman that's coming through now," organiser Susan Wakeford, a past showgirl, said.
The change has been embraced by the 15 finalists in Sydney including the inaugural Young Woman, Molly Wright from Peak Hill in the Central West.
"It's a new name, this is the transition ... in 60 years' time again we're going to remember this day."
Ms Wright said she felt honoured and humbled to be chosen from a group of very deserving women.
"I'd love to represent all those women and what they stand for, what they're trying to promote, and I will be their voice as they go back to their communities," she said.
Among those not convinced with the new title is Rowena Casey, the 1967 Miss Royal Showgirl runner-up, despite acknowledging times had changed.
"We all had to come with our mothers, because we all had to be chaperoned," she said.
"Of course, you have to move on and change names, but I think we like short little names and showgirls is a good name … I think showgirls says it all because you're a special girl at the show."
Floods threaten to sink childhood dream
Young Woman finalist Jenna Robinson thinks the name change is a great step forward.
The 21-year-old, who grew up on a cattle and cane farm at Woodburn, won her first title, Little Miss Showgirl, at the Lismore Show 10 years ago.
Representing her local show and her zone in Sydney is a dream come true for the young nurse.
"I've seen women before me attend Sydney, and even win, [so] the experience they had and the stories I've heard, it was always that goal," she said.
Not even a catastrophic disaster would stand in the way of her achieving her childhood dream.
The home she bought in South Lismore with her fiance just over 12 months ago was inundated with floodwater on February 28, but she was determined to go.
Despite her upbeat attitude, the last six weeks have been challenging for Ms Robinson.
"It is hard to be positive; there's been days where I've felt really defeated by the whole situation," she said.
"But I think the communities we have around us, in both Lismore and Woodburn, will come together and we'll be able to rebuild."
"Just being able to access the materials to rebuild I think that's going to be a bit of a process, I think it will be at least a month before we can start, and a few months before we can get in there."
