Jacqueline Guiking hopes she will embody the motto “Beauty With a Purpose” this month in the Australia Miss World finals.
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The catch cry aims to define the Miss World beauty pageant from other competitions and Miss Guiking’s charitable ways could very well earn her the Australian crown.
“Fundraising has been a component of the competition but I’ve focused on education and awareness, particularly with childhood respiratory problems,” she said.
The 25-year-old moved from her Thornton home to Wagga Wagga when she finished her HSC at St Mary’s All Saints College.
At uni she studied medical science with a speciality in clinical physiology.
“Before I finished I took up a managerial position at a Bondi Junction sleep clinic,” she explained.
Based in Sydney Miss Guiking now works in business development with sleep respiratory clinics and hopes to bridge the funding gap for young families.
“After the initial diagnosis there’s a gap in costs which mean people rely on charities like Variety,” she said.
“It’s the after care and treatment that costs so much and Medicare doesn’t cover all of that.
“A sound night’s sleep is essential for children’s growth and development, so things like sleep apnoea can cause a host of other issues.”
Outside work Miss Guiking has spread the word and raised a little money at various craft and second-hand markets across Sydney.
The judges will consider this advocacy and her other talents over four gruelling days from August 27.
There’s a fitness component and a talent section that will highlight her skill with paint and pencils.
As a performance piece she has designed and painted a garment that promotes cultural diversity – something she knows a lot about being half Dutch and Filipino.
“I stuck out like a sore thumb when I was young,” she said.
“But being in Maitland, somewhere more country, people were more accepting.”
The competition also includes a Q&A session and the hallmark catwalk section.
The winner will be announced August 30 and will go on to represent Australia in Miss World.