It was the first time a Merriwa showgirl had made it through to the finals and to take the title in their first appearance was, in the words of Merriwa showgirl co-ordinator Amanda Kemp, absolutely wonderful.

Merriwa only holds a showgirl competition every second year which added to the excitement of Maisie’s win.

Runner-up in the competition was Emma Gorman, representing Wagga Wagga. 

But the Upper Hunter are claiming they played an important role in her success as she is originally from Scone.

Her parents Peter Gorman and Jane Bennett are local vets with Jane working for Hunter Local Land Services. 

Maisie is involved in the Cassilis Rural Fire Brigade, Merriwa Show Society, Merriwa Country Women’s Association and the Scone Grasslands Society.

She works an agronomist and livestock nutritionist for Landmark, Scone.