For some princess-hopefuls the next two weeks will be an intense roller coaster ride, after the Moree Miss NAIDOC Princess Program kicked off on Monday in search of its next top princess.
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It is the first time in 16 years that the Moree Miss NAIDOC Princess Program has been hosted. As event organiser Blossom Pitt pointed out, it is a departure from your typical beauty pageant.
“The program entails connecting to culture, country, community, education and also provides awareness and the life skills for positive change and progress.”
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A handful of the would-be-princesses showed at the Dhiiyaan Aboriginal Centre on Monday for the launch of the Empowerment and Leadership Program.
NSW Health’s Kelly Gander and Denise Haines hosted the first leg of the program to raise awareness around serious issues such as domestic violence.
“The Trauma and Healing workshop is about giving the candidates awareness and self-care and showing them what resources are available to them,” Ms Pitt said.
Candidate Kadesha Newman explained she saw the many upsides of the program.
“I joined the NAIDOC Princesses because I thought it would be a great experience, and I also want to represent my family.”
Kadesha and the other candidates will attend a Matriarch Dinner at Cafe Gali on Tuesday night before they join Anna Stanley at the Dhiiyaan Centre on Wednesday to share in her story of hardship.
“Anna is a great role model to the community. She came from a disadvantaged background and turned her life around. She has been a Christian for 13 years and she also works at Challenge, where she is able to help people,” Ms Pitt said.
Sisters Under the Skin will then take the girls on an important tour to Terry Hie Hie on Thursday.
“The Sisters Under the Skin will explore the the local history and build that connection between the candidate’s identity and country,” Ms Pitt said.
The ladies will also take part in NAIDOC Week celebrations, such as the official opening march on July 9, before a candidate is crowned Moree Miss NAIDOC Princess at a black tie event on July 13.
Although it may be a busy couple of weeks ahead, for candidate and Ms Pitt’s daughter Jazmin Pitt it’s an experience she’s only too happy to be part of.
“Positivity, self-confidence and self worth are key to what makes a good role model in the community,” she said.
