”It opened so many doors and showed me I could achieve anything I set my mind to,” Mandy said.

Since graduating from Great Lakes College senior campus, Tuncurry last year Mandy has relocated to Canberra where she is studying for a Bachelor in Pharmacy.

Mandy declared she fell in love with the nation’s capital following her time in Canberra during the leadership program.

The move also has enabled her to volunteer and share her expertise for the 2017 event, which was launched earlier this week.

Mandy was the NSW winner.

Young trailblazers across rural NSW have an opportunity to win a once-in-a- lifetime power trip to Canberra.

Now in its fourth year, Country to Canberra’s 2017 Leadership Competition will award at least 10 young Australian rural women a chance to rub shoulders with politicians and CEOs, leadership and public speaking training, a tour of parliament and much more.

Country to Canberra CEO Hannah Wandel says it’s about showing girls there is no limit to what they can achieve.

"From Julie Bishop to Tanya Plibersek, our past NSW winners have met inspiring leaders, built confidence, and have gone on to make an incredible impact in their local communities.

“The power trip prize to Canberra is also an amazing opportunity to connect with other young rural go-getters.”

Mandy said the win also had equipped her with more skills and given her  more confidence.

To enter, Country to Canberra is asking girls to submit a two-minute video or 400 words answering the question: 'from primary school to Prime Minister, how can we create strong pathways to power for women?'.