Words: John Van Klaveren Picture: REG RYAN
ELENI Anastasopoulos is making a wish.
But the object of her wish is less for herself than it is for others.
The Leopold teen reached the national final of Miss Australia International 2016, with judging held in Sydney in November.
But the focus of her campaign was the fund-raising efforts she organised in support of Make A Wish Foundation
Eleni says she entered mainly as a vehicle to continue her community work, with her fund-raising efforts focussed on Make A Wish Foundation.
She held make-up parties and high teas as part of a series of fund-raisers for Make A Wish.
“I’ve been supporting them for two years now,” Eleni says.
“It’s about working with the community and fundraising more than anything. It’s less about the person and more about making a difference.”
November’s event was Eleni’s second successful pageant, having reached the finals of Australia’s Miss Teen Galaxy previously.
She raised $14,000 for Make A Wish Foundation to win the quest’s Miss Teen Charity Australia at the 2014 national finals.
“I like to do a different quest each year and learn different skills and meet different people,” Eleni says.
She decided to take on the quests deliberately to overcome a lack of confidence she felt in public situations.
“I’ve enjoyed dressing up since I was a little kid but I never had the confidence to go out, or meet new people. It was a weak point. I pushed myself toward it.
“Entering the quests means I had to find the courage to go up on stage, to do the swimwear section, to do the gowns section.”
Eleni says coaching on how to walk while making eye contact with an audience had helped her prepare for going on stage in a large auditorium.
“The support I received made a big difference, both professionally and from my family and friends.
“My Mum has been right in my corner and the rest of my family and friends have been by my side the whole time.
“I don’t think I would have been able to do it by myself, it was really out of my comfort zone.”
