Jodie will represent Walcha at the Zone 4 finals in Gunnedah this February where she will compete against 15 showgirls from neighbouring towns.

The showgirl competition aims to find a young woman to act as an ambassador for rural NSW. From the zone finals, two showgirls will continue onto the state finals at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which begins on March 26, where they will then represent the New England and North West. 

Walcha mayor Janelle Archdale and 2014 Walcha showgirl Cecilia Oppenheimer will attend the Farmers’ Markets this Saturday at 10am to introduce the 2015 Walcha Showgirl Jodie Martin. 

Originally from Gunnedah, Jodie was raised on a small mixed farming operation and grew up chasing sheep and pigs around the weekly Gunnedah sales. Jodie moved to Walcha in 2011 after completing her Bachelor of Commerce at the University of New England, majoring in accounting. Jodie works fulltime for Crowe Horwath, splitting her time between the Walcha and Armidale offices.  

Jodie’s passion for farming and the lifestyle provided by being a member of a rural community has led for herself and husband Samuel to take on the fantastic opportunity of leasing some land in the Walcha region. 

This venture has given the couple the chance to expand upon their existing Shorthorn stud, Kawana Lea Shorthorns while running a commercial Angus program. 

Jodie is secretary of the cricket association, treasurer of the Walcha Rugby Club and is a member of the Walcha Town and Country Club. 

“I have had the honour of meeting a diverse range of people who all contribute to making Walcha such a fantastic community,” Jodie said.