From Zimbabwe to Phillip Island

A young Phillip Island resident is hoping the community can get behind her quest to raise money for the Make-A-Wish foundation, and potentially start a modelling career.

Britney-Yvette Chiyoko has been selected as the San Remo representative in the Miss Galaxy Australia – one of 30 finalists in the 2022 event.

When Britney-Yvette moved to Phillip Island from Zimbabwe last year, the biggest culture shock came with the weather.

“It changes two to three times a day,” the 20-year-old laughed.

“I’m still adapting but otherwise Phillip Island is similar to home (Victoria Falls). Both are tourist places with visitors coming and going and both have a beautiful environment.”

Britney-Yvette, who lives in Sunset Strip, grew up in Zimbabwe and at the age of 17 began dabbling in modelling.

So when she, her younger sister and mother moved here to join her father, Britney-Yvette decided to once again try her luck in the competitive career.

While studying her certificate four in allied health over the past year, Britney-Yvette also applied for and was successfully chosen to be a contestant in the Miss Galaxy Australia contest, as the San Remo representative.

The Australia Galaxy Pageants were founded 2011 and aim to allow the young women to “become the best version of themselves” while raising money for charity.

Over the past nine years, the delegates have raised over $600,000, at the same time becoming active members of their communities.

In April, Britney-Yvette will travel to Sydney where she will be required to strut the catwalk in various outfits and be interviewed by a panel of judges.

As part of the contest, she raises funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which helps critically ill children, with local residents encouraged to donate via her Instagram page.

“Participants in the contest get points for the most money raised,” she explains.

“It’s difficult because I have only been in Australia a short time.”

In addition, Britney-Yvette is required do volunteering and charity work in the community.

This week, she is working for Nature Parks, and she also recently attended a Bunnings event in Wonthaggi for Share the Dignity, which advocates for homelessness and domestic violence.

Britney-Yvette says she is happy to help out other organisations on the island too.

The winner of the Sydney event will travel to the USA in August for the international competition.

She hopes it will be a foot-in-the-door to a modelling career.

“I’ve not decided which field of allied health I’d like to work in, whether a hospital or physical therapy, but I’d also like to study business management because I’ve always wanted to run my own business.”

To donate to go: fundraise.makeawish.org.au/fundraisers/britney-yvettechiyoko/britney-yvette-chiyoko---australia-galaxy-pageants-2022

Follow her on Instagram: @britneyyvmatsy or Facebook: @Britney-Yvette Chiyoko