GEORGIE Pell is a true believer that anything is possible.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
So much so, the Catholic College teacher entered the Jools for Jim ambassador competition to show her students what they could achieve by having a go.
"I was trying to encourage my students to enter the competition because I thought it was a fantastic opportunity to empower," she said.
"A couple of students had said, "I am not pretty enough to enter" and it really broke my heart.
"We make value judgement through appearance but it's really about how we treat people and about having a go.
"I wanted to empower my students and all women and men and show them we are all worthy and we should all take risks in life and grab opportunities as they come."
On Monday, Miss Pell was told she had won the competition.
She said she was shocked but honoured at the announcement.
"I got some great support from the school and my students, which was great," she said.
"It is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen and grow our community."
As part of the prize Miss Pell will be the brand ambassador for Jools for Jim as well as the face of Bendigo Fashion Week and the Bendigo Spring Racing Carnival.
Miss Pell said she hoped to use the opportunity to "strengthen the voice of women in Bendigo" and develop her leadership skills.
"Jools for Jim is such a strong, iconic brand that has been enhancing the confidence of women for years and this is a great opportunity for myself to strengthen the voice of women in Bendigo," she said.
"In the long term, with motivation, if I can empower people of all ages to have a go that is what is going to sustain my confidence in the future."
Miss Pell said she was determined to become a role model for women of all ages.
"Life will be tough and there are people who show negativity but you highlight you positives and you work through to improve your negatives," she said.
"I think this opportunity will be a fabulous way for me to show women that we can all work towards achieving our dreams and aspirations."
Catholic College Bendigo year 12 student Nathan Fitzpatrick said Miss Pell was an exceptional role model and would make an inspirational ambassador.
"She is very good at motivating," he said.
"Obviously when you get to the top end of your schooling people go through stressful time.
"There is lots of homework to do and lots of people struggle with it.
"(Miss Pell) was always upbeat and looking to motivate.
"I knew a lot of people who were down in the dumps and she really helped them. That is a very good trait."
Mr Fitzpatrick said Miss Pell was his business management studies teacher last year.
"She is a great role model and knows how to communicate very well," he said.
"She even incorporated fun into the topics by playing upbeat songs at the start of a lesson."
Miss Pell will also receive 12 months of complementary hair, skin and beauty treatments, and will be involved in fashion parades, photos shoots and other social events.
The competition's runner up was Jess Llewellyn.
The judging panel comprised of Jools for Jim owner Jill Cantwell, Bendigo Jockey Club's Marnie Hart and Bendigo Fashion Festival's Danielle Downs.
The competition attracted 63 entries.