Today we are talking with Tash Galgut from NSW, one of the twenty-eight. Talented and inspiring women from all walks of life who are vying for the title of Miss Universe Australia 2020.
In what has certainly been an unpredictable and unprecedented year of ups and downs we’re thrilled to bring you our ninth year of Miss Universe Australia finalist interviews.
So Tash, why don’t you tell us about yourself?
Haha, where would I even begin on my life story! Thanks for taking time out of your day to chat with me. I’ll try to keep my life story short.
My name is Tash Galgut. I am 23 and a first-generation Australian. Both my parents fled the latter half of the Apartheid in South Africa to bring my sister and myself up safely, free from violence and discrimination. Haha, thank you, Mum and Dad! Australia is a pretty lovely place to grow up.
I’ve just graduated my Bachelor of Business and currently have my fingers in a few different pies. I model, study a Cert III & IV in Fitness and Nutrition, as well as starting a Women’s Wellness company, OWN.
I aim to leave a positive impact on this world through helping others build a foundation of wellness in their physical body, mental state and surrounding community. With this starting block, I believe we can create a ripple effect of positive change globally.
The Miss Universe Australia program has been on hold since earlier in the year and now making its way towards a virtual final to be held on October 28, What motivated you to enter the Miss Universe Australia Program?
Well, I had a few different motivations for entering Miss Universe Australia. First and foremost, I entered to win, of course, and use the MUA platform to kickstart change in our community. I think it would be lovely to see a community connected in our mutual goal of happiness, rather than vying to be right and prove each other wrong. Somewhere along the way, we forgot that we are humans, and our species is one that needs connection. We need to start rebuilding this by looking after ourselves, our friends and family and our environment.
The other reason was to improve my public speaking and communication skills, and I think I’ve had a good crack at that.
This year has been like no other, how have you been coping so far and what’s been the biggest challenge and positive that has come out of it all?
Haha, you are definitely right. It has been a year like no other in our life’s time. We’ve experienced fires, floods, COVID-19, lockdowns, BLM protests, cyber-attacks, a recession, as well as suffering personal losses.
In terms of COVID-19, setting up a good routine has helped tremendously.
Make sure you make time to exercise, cook nutritious meals and eat them at mealtime, not pick throughout the day. Incorporate meditation into this routine, as it will help improve your mental wellbeing through managing negative emotions, as well as improve cognitive and behavioural functions.
Personally, I’ve taken it day-by-day. The events are out of my control, and all we can do, as individuals, is to manage our reactions. We need to ensure we react to everything in the kindest way possible so that we can maintain our own mental wellbeing, as well as not reducing others.
With everyone bringing such an individual flair to the competition, what do you think is something that will set you apart from the other contestants?
The other women are so incredible! I’m so grateful to be apart of this amazing community.
My individuality in life and this competition can probably be summed up into my three life philosophies.
- Don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s okay to laugh at your own expense.
- Be positive at all times. Being positive means that you’ll see a solution in the face of each problem/challenge. You’ll be able to see how to overcome issues in your life. If there’s no solution, there will be a learning lesson waiting for you to help you next time around.
- Live for human interaction. We, humans, are social creatures, so it’s time to put down our electronic media and start talking to one another again. Talk about what’s going on in your personal life and your external world and listen, I mean really listen, to the person you are in conversation with. Don’t just talk to people you know and are comfortable with, spark up a conversation with strangers. Throw them a compliment or a smile. It will make their day and provide a lightness to your day.
The winner of Miss Universe Australia 2020 will also receive the prestigious Minespec Parts grant worth $20,000 to spend on your education or business startup, what would you do if you received this grant? And would you say your answer has changed now during the current COVID climate?
Initially, I was planning to use this lovely sum of grant money to invest in my business startup, a sustainable e-commerce platform. Like many startups, the idea has evolved into a project that aligns with my life passion.
If I win, I now plan to invest the $20,000 in OWN wellness; a supportive and inclusive platform for women and girls to truly OWN their wellness. We provide information on mental and physical welfare, sustainable beauty and consumerism, as well as life advice for women. I plan to use the grant to hire experts to write informative blogs on these topics to support young women on their wellness journey.
First thing you will do when this pandemic ends?
Hahaha, go give everyone I know, and some random strangers a big cuddle. When I say big, probably a hug that lasts a minute or more…
Place you will hope to travel to next?
Like a lot of other people, I’m itching to travel. I will probably take time off and do a big trip around Australia and revisit some of my favourite natural sites, such as Ningaloo Reef and TurquoiseBay in Exmouth, then pop up to South East Asia to explore.
Have you taken up a new hobby, skill or learnt a new dish during lockdown?
COVID gave me back time, which I’m so grateful for, allowing me to revisit my old hobby of painting. I had more time to cook up a storm, as well as get back into meditation.
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.
