For locals, Elly Close and Brianna Barron, the year representing the Darling Downs as Showgirl and Rural Ambassador came to a close on Saturday with the judging and announcement at the Toowoomba Royal Show of the new regional winners for 2024.

Darling Downs Showgirl, Elly Close, from Crows Nest handed over the title to Madison Rawlinson representing Dalby Show Society and Brianna Hurley, from Cooyar, passed on the Rural Ambassador title to Jack Murphy representing Goondiwindi Show Society. Showgirls from nine show societies and Rural Ambassadors from three societies contested the titles.

The Toowoomba Showgirl Abbie Brown was the runner-up Showgirl and was also voted by the other contestants as Miss Popular. Other societies represented were Crows Nest, Warwick, Pittsworth, Oakey, Tara, Goombungee- Haden and Cooyar in the Showgirl competition and Oakey and Texas in the Rural Ambassador competition.

Host for the presentation was former Showgirl Caitlin Crowley. The winners in each of the contests will go on to compete at State level held at the Brisbane

Exhibition in August. ABOVE: Elly Close from Crows Nest, right, handed over the title of Darling Downs Showgirl to the 2024 winner Madison Rawlinson from Dalby.