Shock jocks Bazz and Steve of Perth radio station 6PR, however, met more than their match when they suggested that country people aren’t as educated as city people, with Mrs Ritchie wasting no time in setting them straight on that score.

She sees the coverage as evidence that people are interested in presenting a better version of themselves, which is why eight years ago she decided it was time to give country people access to personal development training.

And she’s prepared to travel to her pupils, with a group of mums organising her to conduct a workshop at Coonamble to help their children who attend boarding schools in Sydney.

“It’s all about have a crack at interpreting rules for the 21^st century,” Mrs Ritchie said.

She has taken her personal development skills to the classrooms of Glen Innes, Tenterfield, Guyra, Scone and New England Girls’ School, and is keen to also meet with younger students. A key lesson with older teens is how to get in the door to that job interview.

“I always say ‘you’re the present, I’ll just wrap you’,” she said.

An important aspect of her work is in giving people the confidence to present themselves well, and it’s not only students she is dealing with.

Mrs Ritchie is thrilled that four of ‘her’ girls have been selected at Showgirl Zone competitions around the state to compete at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney, and she will be on hand to cheer them on.

“I’m so proud of them,” she said.

“They are all impressive, strong, smart young women.”

She also works with hospitality and retail clients that may have excellent staff who are letting themselves and the business down with a poor habit or two.

It’s not just for girls, with Mrs Ritchie’s classes far removed from the catwalk parading skills offered by some of her competitors. Her target audience is what she calls the ‘millennial builders’.

“Boys need it just as much as girls,” Mrs Ritchie said.

Participants in her Cracking Culture workshops report that the classes are much better than they anticipated.

“They come with preconceived ideas that it’s all about being snooty and stiff,” she said.

“Instead the parents just want the kids to have a polish up.”

That process involves looking at posture, grammar, table manners, attitude and respect. Public speaking is often the stumbling block for many (not just young adults), and Mrs Ritchie brings in Toastmasters experts to help in that aspect. Social media presence is also addressed.

“Facebook can be your best friend or your worst enemy,” Mrs Ritchie said.

There’s usually plenty of opportunity to assess table manners, with most workshops held at Mrs Ritchie’s home and her keen to keep the food up to her ever-hungry teenage guests.

“We do it all in a fun way,” she said, noting that advice on such matters offered by parents is often shunned, while the opinion of an outsider can make a difference.

With people across the country clamoring for her advice and guidance, Glen Innes is fortunate to have her in our midst. Mrs Ritchie can be contacted on 0428 451 360.