She is also proud of the Riverina and southern NSW and is keen to talk up the virtues of her town.

At just 18 years of age she will head to the Sydney Royal Easter Show after successfully making it through the zone finals at Hay in the prestigious showgirl competition.

It is a feat that many young people aspire to.

Miss Jones said she didn’t grow up on a farm and doesn’t necessarily have an agricultural background like some of her competitors.

However, her platform is to talk up the virtues of rural and regional areas and put the township of Henty on a pedestal. 

“I just want to say you don’t have to leave and go to the big cities to find opportunities … there are opportunities for young people here,” she said.

“Henty is such a gorgeous place and I am happy to be representing the region,” she said. 

During her interview with the Eastern Riverina Chronicle she took time out from her role at the Henty Library.

The interview also coincided with Love Your Library Day. Residents at Henty were preparing to enjoy a chocolate fountain and there were opportunities to grab a random book and take it on a “blind date.” 

Miss Jones said she was surprised but pleased that she had made it through the zone finals of the showgirl competition.

“It was a big shock … I didn’t expect it at all,” she said.

However, now the plan is to grab the opportunity with both hands and not just represent her own ambitions but pave the way for other young people to enter showgirl competitions too. 

In addition to working at the library Miss Jones is also a youth development officer with the Greater Hume Shire Council and the Lockhart Shire.