Cooma celebrates woman of substance as proud Florance takes state title

Cooma Show’s 2023 Young Woman of the Year, Florance McGufficke, was announced the winner of the state title at Sydney Royal Easter Show on Sunday (9 April).

Moree’s entrant, Jessica Towns, was runner-up in the competition.

Florance, 24, was having her second attempt at the title after competing in 2022.

She is the second-eldest daughter of Alan and Michelle McGufficke, of Greendale Merino Stud, Cooma.

Florance said she was exhilarated by the win, but also exhausted.

The announcement on Sunday was just the start of a busy year for her and the other 13 finalists.

Already Florance has attended a variety of other important functions, including the Rural Achievers dinner and several other sashings.

This week she will also catch up with some horse events and see what happens behind the scenes at the night-time events.

In the next 12 months, Florance and the other finalists will visit agricultural shows and events promoting agriculture and the role of young women in the industry.

Florence said she was honoured and grateful to have had the chance to compete and do Cooma Show proud.

She said she was also proud of her older sister Miranda, who was sashed Reserve Champion in the junior sheep judging and will compete in other events later this week.

Florance congratulated other Monaro competitors who picked up championships, including Leone Venables for her champion dahlias and Conrayn Merino Stud for winning the Supreme Merino exhibit with its fine-wool ewe.

Adina Merino Stud also had a successful show.

Cooma Pastoral and Agricultural Association congratulated Florance on her success.

Sheep and wool are very much in Florance’s blood. While growing up on her family’s sheep farm, Greendale Merinos, she had the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of farm operations, which gave her a solid foundation to excel during her school and university education.

Florance attended St Patrick’s School in Cooma before moving to Frensham in Mittagong. During her schooling at Frensham, Florance was the vice head of the school cattle team competing at local shows and the Sydney Royal Easter Show. She then continued her education completing a Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business at the University of New England.

Florance wants to connect consumers and producers through a more transparent supply chain while promoting wool as a highly sustainable fibre. It is her dedication to the agricultural industry that saw her awarded the Australian Wool Innovation – Action4Agriculture 2022/23 Emerging Young Leaders Scholarship.

Florance’s ambition is to be a leader, ambassador and advocate for young people, especially girls, by mentoring them to achieve their goals and aspirations while encouraging them to embrace and support their local communities.

When she is not working, Florance enjoys team sports including netball, rugby sevens, tennis and soccer. She has played and coached netball in Australia and England.

Formerly referred to as the NSW Showgirl competition, the title was replaced last year to better reflect changing times and roles in regional areas.