Kelmscott woman hopes to inspire through Miss Naidoc Perth involvement

A KELMSCOTT resident says she hopes her involvement in this year’s Miss Naidoc Perth will help inspire others to reconnect with their culture.

Like many Aboriginal people, 30-year-old Louise O’Reilly felt a loss of family and cultural connections after the Stolen Generations, but an urge to reconnect those broken links and help others to do the same has led her to volunteer at a local resident’s association, school and kindergarten, as well as start a new small business.

“I have started a new heart centred business which, for now, consists of writing and blogging about Aboriginal social issue and empowering people to follow their hearts, take steps towards their dreams and to serve others,” she said.

“I am also currently working on two empowerment programs, one for young Aboriginal girls to connect them with culture and the other will be an online course for people who want to be instrumental in empowering the Aboriginal community.”

She said the aim behind her involvement in Miss Naidoc was to inspire people with similar stories to hers.

“Winning a title was never the reason I applied for Miss Naidoc Perth, I applied to develop myself further and push myself out of my comfort zone,” she said.

“I applied to learn more about my culture, but mostly I applied so I can inspire Aboriginal people who, like me, have families that are dispossessed from culture but feel it within them.

“I want to inspire and encourage them to take that next step and connect with culture.

“It doesn’t matter how you were raised or what you look like, if your heart is pulling you to learn more about your heritage and culture, follow it. It’s time.”

Winners of the 2018 Miss Naidoc Perth will be announced on May 26.

Visit www.louiseoreilly.com.au for more information.

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