Pilbara Girls enter spotlight

Pilbara Girl is an initiative which aims to empower young indigenous women and boost their self-esteem.

Eleven young women participated in this year’s program, six of which were chosen to go through to the final at the first heat held in Karratha on Friday, July 14.

Get to know all of the finalists and contestants from this year’s Pilbara Girl.

Bianca Tucker, 17, Kalgoorlie

Interests: make-up, hair, fashion and travelling.

Tucker dreams of becoming a professional make-up artist or model so she can travel the world.

Kymberley Ryder, 16, Karratha

Interests: spending time outdoors with her family, playing sports and trying new things.

“In the future I would like to achieve my goals, which are being more confident and comfortable with myself,” Ryder said.

Sinae Lane, 18, Meekatharra

Interests: art, fashion and photography

Lane hopes to have a career in the art industry and travel to get inspiration from people and places all over the world.

Maddy Watson, 19, Roebourne

Interests: music, fashion and travel

Allanna O’Donoghue, 16, Karratha

Interests: playing AFL

“In the future I would like to be a professional footy player on live television,” O’Donoghue said.

FINALISTS

Cheyenne Phillips, 17, Roebourne

Interests: learning her culture’s history, hanging out with friends and family, being a part of her community, sports and music.

In the future, Phillips would like to be involved in the tourism industry so she can share her culture and become more confident in her own skin.

“If I won Pilbara Girl, I’d encourage other young girls that anything is possible if you believe in yourself, always give 100 per cent and always have fun and be yourself,” she said.

Shianne Bin Sali, 16, Karratha

Interests: fashion, design and sketching and helping animals.

In the future, Bin Sali hopes to attend university and also pursue a career in the modelling industry.

If she won Pilbara Girl she would urge others to join the program.

“There are so many girls who grow up to think of themselves as not good enough, when they are. I believe everyone is beautiful in their own way; they just need a little help in finding their true potential,” Bin Sali said.

Chelsea Hicks, 17, Port Hedland

Interests: softball, netball, fishing, camping and spending time with family.

Hicks’ future ambitions include studying nursing so she can give back to her community and help others in need.

“If I won Pilbara Girl I would like to take the experience I have gained and learn from the program to help me increase my self-confidence and to use it in my everyday life and to be a role model to encourage other young indigenous women to see that they are beautiful,” she said.

Ayla Farrell, 17, Geraldton

Interests: playing sport, spending time with family, fishing, going out bush, writing and music.

Farrell hopes to graduate from high school with the best grade she can get and do an apprenticeship in hairdressing or child care.

“If I won Pilbara Girl, I would like to become an indigenous role model for girls all over Australia and show them to be proud of who they are and to be confident in themselves,” she said.

“I have gained experience, knowledge and confidence from participating in the program which has so far helped me with my everyday life.”

Tyisha Tucker, Kalgoorlie

Interests: being out bush, fishing and spending time with her family.

In the future, Tucker would like to be a model or create her own line of clothes.

“If I won Pilbara Girl I would like to inspire young indigenous ladies to follow their dreams no matter their age, their culture and their backgrounds,” she said.

Vonique Alec-Mowarin, 16, Karratha

Interests: football and basketball

Alec-Mowarin’s future ambitions are to become a professional AFL player or a professional model and travel the world.

“If I won Pilbara Girl I would encourage young indigenous girls, that it’s OK to try new things and follow your dreams instead of being influenced by drugs and alcohol,” she said.

The finalists Phillips, Bin Sali, Hicks, Farrell, Tucker and Alec-Mowarin will head to Broome in October where the Pilbara Girl winner will be announced.