Bundaberg woman Brie Haafkens will take her passion for pageants to the Gold Coast stage when she competes in the Miss Galaxy Australia competition.
Brie, 18, may have only lived in the region for five months but she is already shining a spotlight on Bundaberg with her community endeavours as part of the pageant.
“I decided to enter Miss Galaxy Australia as pageantry has been a passion of mine for the past three years,” she said.
“I love getting involved with my community and raising funds for much-needed charities and I love inspiring young girls to chase their dreams and that no goal is too high.
“I entered it because I want to show that you can achieve anything with hard work and determination and meeting amazing and inspiring people.”
Brie said Miss Galaxy Australia pageant promotes positivity and self-confidence while raising much-needed funds and becoming involved in local communities.
“It’s all about being the best version of you,” she said.
“It’s about about getting involved with your community and bettering yourself and others.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to really get to know yourself and meet incredible women with amazing stories.”
Brie said she was also excited to be involved more with the community through the competition, and said her father’s business, Tradewinds Bakery, had been helping along the way with her charity events.
“I have raised nearly $400 so far for Make-A-Wish Australia and my goal is to reach $1000,” she said.
“Tradewinds Bakery is sponsoring my pageant journey, which is my father’s business.
“He’s so supportive of my goals and journey; Tradewinds Bakery has done all the major catering for my charity events.”
Brie said the Miss Galaxy Australia competition was helping her realise her future goals and inspiration for the community.
“I hope to take over the family business in future and I want to grow in my Bundy community as well as help those in need,” she said.
“The community has been great, I’ve had a really positive response in my pageant journey and I can’t wait to continue giving back to my community as the watch my journey.”
Miss Galaxy Australia main event
Brie said the Miss Galaxy Australia winners will be announced on 7 March at the Marriott Resort and Spa on the Gold Coast.
“The benefits are meeting incredible people through charity and the major events, making life long friends and growing as an individual,” she said.
“And of course being a princess for a week at the Marriott. The week is filled with glam, gowns and sparkles.”
Brie said while she already had experience in previous pageants, she was hoping 2020 would be the year she takes home the crown.
“I have competed in four pageants before this and I have achieved first runner-up nationally, twice,” she said.
“This will be my first pageant in the Miss section and this year I hope to take out the title of Miss Galaxy Australia and bring the crown home to Bundaberg.”
Follow Brie’s journey on her Facebook page here.
