Crowned Winner - Mrs Australia International 2023
My Platform is “Empower Parents Enhance Lives” and is centered around promoting the mental health and wellbeing of parents raising children with special needs and rare diseases by providing them with tools to help them live fulfilled lives.
As parents of children with special needs and rare diseases, they are concerned that life is not unfolding as they had hoped. Having associated closely with these parents as a researcher, I have seen them struggle with guilt, fear, social isolation, financial hardship, and the overwhelming caregiving burden. In Australia, approximately 1.5 million families are raising a child with special needs and rare diseases, with more than 70% suffering from clinically significant levels of depression.
Every parent deserves a life full of opportunity and optimism and they deserve to feel encouraged and uplifted in their job as a carer.
As a mum with two healthy boys, a full-time research career, and a business owner of a personal training company, I often experienced anxiety and distress. I discovered that investing time and effort into my mental well-being and fitness helped me cope and take back control of my life, and I wanted to share these strategies, especially with this group of parents.
Today, in collaboration with the Children’s Hospital Westmead, I have a program where I provide free onsite fitness and wellbeing classes to parents who have to endure long hospital stays so they have support during challenging and distressing times.
As Mrs. International 2023, my mission is to ensure access to my program, “Empower Parents Enhance Lives,” to all Children’s Hospitals worldwide.
Through my partnerships, I will take my Platform beyond the hospital walls and create an online forum where parents, irrespective of their financial situation or where they live, can get educated by mental health and fitness experts.
I will continue to raise public awareness on the unique mental health challenges of parents raising children with special needs and raise diseases so they have a dedicated support network.
Patricia Schulter has a diverse educational background, including a High School Certificate, a Diploma in Property Real Estate, and a Certificate 4 in Insurance, which has led her to a successful career as a Quality Assurance Consultant. Aside from her professional achievements, Patricia is also an active person who enjoys going to the gym to maintain a healthy lifestyle, reading to expand her knowledge, and ice skating to unwind. Her hobbies have helped her find balance in her life, which is essential for success in all aspects. Not to mention, she is also a passionate boxer so if you see her wearing her gloves, watch out! Patricia Schulter is a passionate advocate for women and children’s rights, as well as equal opportunities for all individuals regardless of their background or life circumstances. Her tireless dedication to these causes has made a significant impact on the lives of many. Throughout her career, she has worked to ensure that women and children are treated fairly and have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. She has been a vocal proponent of policies that support these groups, including equal pay, affordable childcare, and access to healthcare. Patricia’s advocacy work has also focused on promoting equality for individuals of all backgrounds and circumstances. She has worked to eliminate discrimination and increase access to education, job opportunities, and other resources for marginalised communities.
Erika holds a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Adult and Vocational Education, a Graduate Diploma of Management (Professional Practice), a Graduate Certificate of Management (Professional Practice), a CERT IV in Government Investigations, and a Certificate III in Children Services. Erika is currently a Project Officer and Business Owner, where she applies her academic knowledge and professional experience to provide effective solutions for various business challenges. Outside of work, Erika enjoys a variety of hobbies, including cooking, reading, dancing, and making coffee. Her interests demonstrate her creative and intellectual curiosity and her ability to balance her professional and personal life effectively. Erika’s passion for empowering others extends beyond her professional life. In her spare time, she serves as the Vietnamese Community In Australia Youth (VCAY) leader, where she encourages young people to develop their talents and become future leaders in their communities. She is as also nominated for 2022 Banks Volunteer of the year award. Erika’s commitment to this cause has earned her respect and admiration from her peers and has helped her build a reputation as a compassionate and dedicated community leader. Moreover, Erika is an advocate for diversity and inclusivity in local government. In 2021, she was a candidate for Bankstown Labour Party for Local Government Election, where she aimed to represent the diverse needs and interests of her community. Erika’s passion for empowering others is also reflected in her personal interests. She loves cooking and making great coffee, which she sees as a way to bring people together and create a positive impact in her community.
With a PhD in Medical Genetics from the esteemed Sydney University, a master’s in biotechnology, and a certification as a Personal Trainer, Minal has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of health and wellness. As the Clinical lead at Cochlear, she helps bring new hearing technology into the market to help people with hearing loss. She is also a Business Owner of a Personal Training company, where she has applied her skills to help others achieve their fitness goals. But her contributions don’t stop there. Minal is an independent researcher on rare metabolic disorders, demonstrating her dedication to advancing scientific knowledge. Being a mum who has dealt with anxiety herself, Minal found that investing in her health and fitness helped her tremendously, and this has inspired her to pursue a career as a certified personal trainer. Through her advocacy, Minal seeks to empower parents and enhance lives, by supporting the mental wellbeing of these parents through fitness! Minal has collaborated with fitness businesses, personal trainers and NDIS in order to give these parents free access to fitness programmes that are designed specifically for their needs which includes weekly fitness classes to parents who have long hospital stays. To educate these parents about mental health, good diet, and exercise, she wants to partner with therapists, and mental health experts to host workshops and seminars. She also intends to establish an online forum where parents can interact with personal trainers and wellbeing coaches, ask questions, and offer support to one another. Minal hopes to raise awareness for these parent’s wellbeing, while creating an altruistic community that is ready to support and uplift each other.
With a Bachelor of Education under her belt and a successful career as a Manager, Lorraine has established herself as a talented and driven professional. She loves to indulge in hobbies such as reading and gardening, which bring her a sense of joy and relaxation. With her diverse talents and interests, Lorraine is sure to be a formidable competitor in the Mrs Australia International pageant. As a mother of 5, Lorraine believes that being a parent is one of the toughest jobs there is, and that parents need more support than ever before to raise their children in a healthy and happy way. By creating a spiritually supportive environment where parents can share their experiences, seek advice, and find resources, Lorraine hopes to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families everywhere. Through her advocacy, Lorraine hopes to empower parents to understand the importance of spiritual health as a core values, which she finds essential for mental health. Moreover, to help parents to feel more confident and capable in their roles, and to build a strong community of support around them. Her dedication to this cause is truly inspiring, and is sure to make a lasting impact on the world of parenting and family life.
Joy Francis is a remarkable individual with a diverse set of talents and accomplishments. Currently, she works full-time as an accountant and Business Owner, as well as performing as a musician at local community events and restaurants. Joy has also been a swimming instructor for several years. Alongside her profession, Joy is also passionate about pursuing hobbies, which include horse riding, art and fashion, song writing, singing, guitar, piano. Joy was a finalist in the WA fashion on the field Top 12. Joy Francis, born and now raising her family in remote north Western Australia believes that access to affordable swimming lessons from a young age is crucial for the safety and health of all children. In her opinion, this is a vital aspect of children’s development regardless of whether they live in regional or urban areas. Joy’s advocacy for affordable swimming lessons for all children is rooted in the fact that Joy has been in a near drowning herself at the age of 16 with a lack of awareness of ocean rips and has lost a family friend around the same time to drowning in the ocean. Joy believes Swimming is an important life skill that should be accessible to everyone. Swimming is a low-impact activity that can improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety, which are common issues for children in today’s fast-paced world. By making swimming lessons more affordable and accessible to all and supporting the mothers who wish to become swimming instructors, more children will be able to learn the vital skills.
With qualifications including a Bachelor of Science in Management Accounting, Masters in Business Administration, a Diploma in Special Education and currently pursuing her Masters in Counselling, Jacqueline has dedicated her life to learning and personal development. She is also a self-employed professional, which allows her to pursue her passions and use her expertise to help others. She has an automotive workshop where they authorised vehicles for roadworthiness according to NSW standards. In her spare time, she buys and sells just about anything, especially fashion clothes and high heels. Jacqueline enjoys staying active in various ways including motorsport racing which keeps her active and energised. Jacqueline is studying her masters in counselling so that she will be able to help others make counselling and mental health accessible by starting her own clinic. Her advocacy is mental health awareness and support especially for the LGBTQI+ community. Almost half of the people who have gender dysphoria, attempt or commits suicide. They also suffer from anxiety, fear of rejection and depression. These people have families and friends that do not know how to deal with it. It is also very hard to get help not just here in Australia but also all over the world. She just wants to help everyone know that they are loved and validated. Her husband suffered depression for years and it was her presence in his life during these trying times that helped ground them as a family. Her empathetic understanding, congruence and unconditional positive regard makes people trust her with all their issues in life, as she is a great listener.
Sheron Denoon is a proud Australian of Caribbean origin. She is an educated and accomplished business leader. Sheron holds a Certificate IV in Accounting, a Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Business Administration degree. Sheron’s education and leadership skill has led her to a successful career as a manager in NSW state government overseeing contract compliant, governance and assurance of not-for-profit organisation funded by the government. Sheron Denoon is a passionate advocate for equal opportunities for working mothers and wives in corporate Australia. She firmly believes that the skills and potential of women in the workforce are often underestimated and underutilised, and that by giving them a fair opportunity, sponsorship and support, they can deliver excellent results in business and community. Sheron’s advocacy is driven by a desire to see the skills of working mothers and wives valued and respected in the workplace. She believes that too often, women are passed over for promotions or opportunities simply because of their family responsibilities, which is ultimately detrimental to businesses and society. Sheron is using her platform to raise awareness about the importance of equal opportunities for working mothers and wives. She hopes to inspire others to advocate, sponsor, and support change in their workplaces and communities.
Karen Do is a highly skilled Health & Beauty Consultant, Cosmetic Artist and a qualified Make-Up Trainer, with over 30 years’ experience in the beauty industry. With a background successfully running over 6 nail and beauty salons, within multiple hair & make up boutiques, Karen has acquired a wealth of knowledge and experience in business startups and scaling her business for success. Aged 53 with 5 kids, Karen is all about devoting herself to her life journey of self-care and self-love and with that she has a genuine desire to empower other women to do the same through maintaining a healthy and beautiful lifestyle by having the right mindset. As a contestant in the Mrs Australia International pageant, Karen is using this platform to advocate for women empowerment - supporting and encouraging women to build their confidence and celebrate women who are making a positive impact in their communities. With years of experience in the beauty industry, Karen has seen firsthand the transformative power that a little self-care can have on a person’s confidence and self-esteem. She believes that every woman deserves to feel beautiful, strong, and capable. Karen is dedicated to helping women achieve that through her work as a beauty therapist. But Karen’s advocacy for women empowerment goes beyond the beauty industry. She is committed to supporting women in all aspects of their lives, from personal growth to professional development. Through her work, she has seen first hand the impact that a little self-care can have on a person’s self- esteem and overall well-being. She is a shining example of what it means to be a strong, confident, and an empowered woman, and her advocacy has the potential to make a positive impact on countless lives.
Meet Meenu Singh, an Education Manager and enthusiastic traveller with a passion for helping individuals reach their full potential, Meenu is a powerful advocate for empowering people to stand up for their rights and express their views. Meenu has seen the importance of community and support in helping students achieve their goals and overcome challenges. She is particularly passionate about supporting international students in Australia, who often face unique obstacles in pursuing their education and goals. Meenu’s advocacy is a testament to her commitment to promoting education and empowerment. She believes that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and make their voices heard, no matter their background or circumstances. Through the Mrs. Australia International pageant 2023, Meenu plans to use her platform to spread awareness about the importance of empowering individuals and advocating for their rights. She is excited to connect with more people and inspire others to join her on this mission. Meenu is a dedicated and inspiring individual who is sure to make a positive impact both in the pageant and beyond.
Aubrey Arney is a multifaceted individual who has made a mark in various fields. As a contestant of Mrs Australia International, she has showcased her grace, intelligence, and dedication to her community. With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as her foundation, Aubrey has taken her expertise in the medical field to new heights as a business owner and a cosmetic nurse. Her passion for helping others and her entrepreneurial spirit have propelled her to success. Aubrey Arney’s advocacy is fueled by the stories of mental health struggles, domestic abuse, and the loss of confidence in mothers after childbirth among the women she sees daily. She has developed a passion for promoting collaboration within the healthcare community and among entrepreneurial women to make a difference. With a profound belief in the power of collective skills and knowledge, she emphasises the importance of supporting one another and making a positive impact in communities. Through mentorship and leading by example, she strives to inspire and nurture the future leaders of our society, who are none other than our children. As a dedicated advocate for inclusivity and collaboration, her efforts are aimed at fostering a society free from discrimination and immune to the negative influence of social media. She empowers individuals to come together and make a meaningful difference in their communities, allowing everyone to embrace their natural beauty free from judgement.
Born with a love for animals and a dream to build a shelter for abandoned pets, Michelle grew up to become an entrepreneur, a photographer, and a support worker for the elderly. Michelle’s journey began in Japan, where she worked for five years at Elite Model Management before moving on to become an entrepreneur in Jakarta, Indonesia. The past 11 years, Michelle has been a dedicated housewife, while running a small business making handicrafts like cards and books. Her involvement in charitable events and gatherings with various groups of people has earned her the title of Charity Queen in 2017 on the Central Coast. Michelle Obeirne is a passionate advocate for love and compassion towards others. She believes that the key to improving society and the world around us is to start with ourselves and our families. Michelle recognises that often, people talk about improving the world or helping others, but fail to keep their promises. Instead of grandiose speeches and promises, Michelle focuses on real action and spreading love in her own family and community. She believes that by showing affection and kindness towards those closest to us, we can create a ripple effect that spreads throughout society. Michelle sees the family as the foundation of a good society and works tirelessly to promote love and compassion in her own family and community. She believes that a good country starts with families that are full of love, and that by creating a positive environment in our own homes and neighbourhoods, we can make a difference in the world. Michelle’s advocacy is based on a deep sense of compassion for others. She believes that it is her job to be compassionate towards others, and to spread love and kindness wherever she goes. Michelle’s commitment to these values is an inspiration to those around her, and she is a powerful advocate for a more compassionate and loving world.
