We’re excited it’s that time of the year again when we get to introduce you to the contestants of Miss Universe Australia. We’re kicking off our eighth year of finalist interviews with Lilly Moreau from New South Wales, one of the twenty-eight talented, and inspiring contestants from all walks of life who are vying for the title of Miss Universe Australia 2019.
So Lilly, why don’t you tell us about yourself?
I was born on the beautiful Central Coast in NSW. I am your girl next door , I love spending time with my horses and competing them at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. I am currently studying a bachelor of psychological science and I would love to empower and educate our youth about bullying and mental health.
What would you say was your motivation for entering Miss Universe Australia?
My motivation for entering Miss Universe Australia was to make a difference and create awareness about the seriousness of bullying and its devastating effects. I want to use Miss Universe Australia as more then just a platform to change culture to help prevent bullying from happening with the foundation Dolly’s Dream Australia. Hence why I have always been interested in studying psychology as it makes up a huge part of life and I believe is the key to understanding people’s thoughts and actions.
The program is certainly full of amazing experiences in the lead-up to finals, You’ve just returned from the National Finalist Trip to Bali staying at the sensational Alila Hotels. How was this experience?
Bali was the trip of a lifetime! It was such a fantastic opportunity to be able to experience the breathtaking Alila resorts, eat at beautiful restaurants, explore amazing places around Bali. It was so crazy to arrive in Bali not knowing anyone except the girls from our state to be than sharing with someone you just met. Being thrown out of our states gave us a chance to meet everyone, and I can honestly say that I now have 28 new sisters that I have formed a bond with each one. Before this experience I didn’t know anyone out of NSW now I can go to any state in Australia and know that I have friends there it really is such a special opportunity.
The Bali Trip is a combination of finals boot camp, personal development and team bonding exercise with a tropical escape thrown in for good measure, what would you say are some of the best things you’ll take away from the trip?
The best things I’ll take away from the trip was forming friendships with people I had just met that will now last a life time. Being able to sit down and listen to everyone’s beliefs, backgrounds and what has shaped them to be the person who they are today. I’ve taken away a feeling of gratefulness to be apart of a group of young, powerful, intelligent women who are all beautiful and unique in their own ways.
So now you’re home and, winter has set in and the finals are only just around the corner, how are you feeling in the leadup to Melbourne and what sort of preparation are you doing before finals week?
Winter has definitely set in after being in the beautiful Alila resorts in Bali ! I am feeling very excited for Melbourne it’s going to be an opportunity of a lifetime as the Bali trip was and I can’t wait to be reunited with all the girls again. I have been prepping for finals week by drinking lots of water and eating healthy to ensure I am feeling happy and healthy. I have also been going over our powerful impressions booklet we received at a workshop in Bali to ensure I am 100% prepared for interviews, questions and rehearsals.
With so many of you all bringing an individual flair to the competition, what do you think sets you apart from the other contestants?
I believe what sets me apart is my inner beauty, it’s not just what’s on the outside that counts. I love being natural and I love to promote my natural inner beauty on social media by sharing a real image of who I am not a fake edited version. I believe by staying true to who you are and by not trying be someone else your inner beauty really shines through.
Your next question comes from Simon Ross of Minespec Parts
How much of a deciding factor for entering this year, was the Minespec Parts Grant of $20,000 to put towards your education or business startup?
The Minespec Parts grant wasn’t the deciding factor for me to enter Miss Universe Australia competition this year. Although the grant is an amazing opportunity for the winner that will be used and not wasted as it’s going towards our education or a business startup so it is definitely an awesome opportunity for one lucky girl to put to use.
And if you were lucky enough to receive the grant, what would you spend it on and why?
If I was lucky enough to recieve the grant I would put it towards my bachelor of pyschological science degree as it would assist so much in taking the first steps into being a social psychologist and working in schools. There is such an opportunity with this grant , it is truly amazing that by helping someone out with their education or business start up it allows them to help other people!
What is something people might find interesting about yourself?
Something interesting about me is that I am horse mad ! I’ve been riding ever since I was 13 and grew a passion for showing horses instantly. I’ve been lucky enough to travel the country compete at top levels. I’m so grateful for my horses , they’ve taught me responsibility, resilience and that hard work and dedication pays off.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you or someone you know recently?
I was out at the stables one afternoon about to let my horse Belle into her stable to rug and feed her. I was making up her food inside when I hear this huge banging noise outside it sounded like the roof was coming down ! I walk outside and it is belle knocking on her stable door to come in !! She continuously was throwing forward her hoof knocking to come inside and now she has learnt to be impatient and knock when she’s ready to come in every afternoon
As a child, what did you think would be awesome about being an adult, but isn’t as awesome as you thought it would be?
As a child I have always loved to be independent and with having no responsibilities I thought it would be awesome to be in charge for once and have things I am responsible for like driving a car or getting groceries , but growing up and getting more and more responsibilities you learn it’s not that much fun !
What are the most important values your parents have taught you ?
The values I’ve been brought up with by my parents is to have great morals and ethics, be who you are and embrace who you are as a person and to be resilient what’s meant to be will be.
Lilly is also helping raise money for Toybox International as part of her Miss Universe Journey; Please consider donating by clicking here.
Presenting Sponsor
Minespec Parts are proud to be the presenting sponsor for Miss Universe Australia, Working to empower and support women not just through the Miss Universe Australia pageant and their $20k education and business grant, but through many platforms with various activities across Australia all furthering and supporting women in the workplace.
