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 Nicole Cocks from South Australia, 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 Nicole, why don’t you tell us about yourself?
I am 26 years of age and live in Adelaide SA, I grew up in the country town of Murray Bridge. I currently work full time in events and administration at QBE Insurance. I recently got engaged to my dream man and we purchased our first home. We have two fur babies, Darci & Remi who I love like they are my own children. I am a coffee lover, chocoholic and a Pilates addict. I love to cook, especially pasta and if I’m not cooking you will most likely find me eating.
What would you say was your motivation for entering Miss Universe Australia?
Entering Miss Universe Australia was a tough decision for me, I didn’t think I was good enough or the right fit for pageants. I spent New Year’s with Livvy Rogers and to be honest without her encouraging words I would not have submitted my application. She reassured me that MUA is more than beauty on the outside, it is what is on the inside and the message you want to promote. This made me passionate about showing young girls that you are enough and to stop comparing yourself to the images you see on social media because everyone is perfectly imperfect.
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?
Overwhelming. I am not going to lie, travelling with 28 absolutely beautiful, confident women was intimidating at the beginning and I started to doubt myself. But once getting to know this incredible bunch of girls, it truly was an experience I will never forget. You are definitely not wrong when you say the sensational Alila Hotels, every resort was absolutely breathtaking and the staff were amazing, catering for 29 girls at one time plus the crew and the hair and makeup team, whilst also looking after hundreds of other guests would not have been an easy task, but we always felt so incredibly special. All of us were pinching ourselves with how truly lucky we were to be chosen to experience this trip of a lifetime.
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?
Our schedule ranged from activities like surf lessons in Uluwatu, to runway workshops in Manggis with Thelma Williams Rodriguez, to shooting with the talented Jarrad Seng in Seminyak.
It is hard to narrow it down but meeting the team from Bali Life and the gorgeous children was a highlight. Hearing all the hard work they do to give these kids a better life was truly inspiring and makes you realise how lucky we are. Alongside that would have to be meeting and getting to know the other 28 incredible women, the friendships we have developed will definitely last a life time.
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?
Excited, but nervous! I cannot wait to see all the girls again, we have spoken every day since leaving Bali, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t receive at least 20 snapchats from the group, haha! However, the nerves are setting in knowing we have to walk on stage in front of hundreds of people, so I have definitely amped up the preparation for this. I am keeping up to date with what’s happening in the world, whether it be watching the news or surfing the world wide web, I want to make sure I am prepared for questions if I am lucky enough to make top 10. I hate the word diet, but I am definitely making better choices in the lead up, don’t get me wrong chocolate is still on the menu, I am a strong believer in everything in moderation. Along with that I am trying to attend as many Pilates sessions, strength sessions and cardio sessions I can to make sure my body is in its best possible shape not only visually but mentally as well.
With so many of you all bringing an individual flair to the competition, what do you think sets you apart from the other contestants?
Every single one of these girls deserves to win the title of Miss Universe Australia, everyone is so different in their own way, but the most incredible thing is they are all so kind. I look at situations in an analytical way and I am a problem solver. I am driven and determined, and I like to get things done. This sometimes portrays me as reserved however when I am surrounded by my family or my girls, they can assure that I am a big teddy bear underneath.
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 generous grant of $20,000 from Minespec Parts is completely life-changing. It gives you the opportunity to really pursue a dream of yours that may have seemed out of reach. Knowing that this grant can be used to not only benefit my life but also help change the lives of others is a huge factor of why the Miss Universe Australia program is so much more than just a beauty pageant.
And if you were lucky enough to receive the grant, what would you spend it on and why?
Unfortunately, I am one of the 20% of women who suffer from PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). After many years of mis diagnosis and constant pain I was finally diagnosed at the age of 19, however it was only recently I have really started to understand this illness and how to manage it properly thanks to wellness specialist, Nat Kringoudis… she is my inspiration. I would use this grant from Minespec Parts to market a business in women’s health and study either gynaecology or bio sciences alongside this to help evolve with the business. I would be a voice and an advocate for PCOS and share my story to make change and help educate young girls.
What is something people might find interesting about yourself?
I am allergic to coriander… A lot of people just assume I say this because I don’t like the taste but let me tell you the rash, I get that resembles a pash rash is real and it ain’t pretty. Haha!
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you or someone you know recently?
A. Recently we moved into our new home and our troublesome fur babies decided they would like to explore the new neighbourhood by digging under the fence. After a week of calls from our lovely neighbours saying they have found our dogs and having to leave work daily to go and collect them and after trying every trick in the book to secure our yard we were finally down to our last resort. The boundary wire, this is a wire that you install around the boundary of your yard and delivers a slight shock to your pups through a collar when they cross this boundary. I was so unsure about this wire as I did not want to harm our fur babies, however we had no other options. I told my partner he must test the shock before we use it on the dogs, unfortunately neither of us checked the shock level before he tested it. He strapped the collar to his arm and approached the wire sending a shock up his arm resulting in him throwing the collar and falling to the ground (many swear words were used). We didn’t realise we had set the collar at the highest shock. I literally fell on the floor in hysterics.
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?
Going to work. It’s pretty much exactly like school except with no recess and taking holidays is way more complicated.
Who inspires you to live life to the fullest?
I would have to say my father in law, Chris. He was diagnosed with MND (Motor Neurone Disease) in June 2018. Since being diagnosed his outlook on life has remained positive which is truly inspiring. This disease is quite literally a beast, but no matter what obstacles are thrown his way he doesn’t let them negatively affect him living his life to the fullest. I feel so grateful to have such an incredible man in my life.
Nicole is also helping raise money for Toybox International asp art 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.
