Entering a pageant had never been something Breanna Blick had considered.
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But when the opportunity arose to apply for Miss Teen Australia International, the Broadmeadow 17-year-old thought it would provide the perfect platform to raise funds and awareness for two causes close to her heart.
Ms Blick is one of 10 finalists in the running for the national Miss Teen crown, to be decided in Sydney in October, and is using the “once in a lifetime” experience to fundraise for Bowel Cancer Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia.
“I’ve never done anything like this before,” Ms Blick said.
“I was doing some modelling and I heard about it. I applied but I didn’t expect to get in and, when I got the phone call to say I was a finalist, I was shocked.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and I wasn’t going to turn it down.
“To be able to raise money for the two platforms of surf life saving and bowel cancer, which have been a major part of my life, is a really great opportunity.”
Ms Blick’s father Wayne battled terminal bowel cancer when she was a child and lost his fight on Father’s Day in 2006. He was an active surf lifesaver and surfboat rower for Nobbys Surf Club.
“Nobbys is really close to my heart,” she said. “My sister and I used to go up to the beach all of the time with dad, he was the one who got us into nippers.
“He had a passion for the beach, he loved the beach, he loved Nobbys and that is what made my platform so easy to choose.
“Now I have the chance to make a difference and spread awareness to other families; this has given me the chance to do that and I feel really privileged.”
Ms Blick will hold a fundraising barbecue at Nobbys Surf Club on July 30 from 11am to 2.30pm and is raising funds through www.gofundme.com/p8j6vhv8