Chelsea Hall knew there were no vacancies when she put herself forward to join the team of water skiing professionals performing at Sea World.
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But the 18-year-old's expression of interest paid off, with a move to Queensland imminent.
Ms Hall, an accomplished water skier from Bendigo, had hoped to head to Canada to pursue her passion after she finished school. But the global COVID-19 pandemic changed her plans.
The same restrictions that kept her from travelling also meant organisers of the Sea World stunt shows would be less receptive to international applicants - an opportunity Ms Hall seized.
She put together an application and submitted it to the show's organisers for consideration several months ago.
"I might as well give it a go - the worst they can say is no," Ms Hall said.
The response was positive, with the organisers letting Ms Hall know she had the skills they were seeking. But they were unable to make her an offer, at the time.
The show's organisers asked Ms Hall to let them know when she next headed to Queensland.
"When cheap flights came up we booked to see family and friends," Ms Hall said.
She met with the show's organisers two weeks ago, and they came bearing good news: there was a position vacant, and they wanted her to fill it.
The contract came through last week. Ms Hall is planning on moving this week.
"It just happened so quickly," she said.
Ms Hall was excited to be part of the stunt show.
A career in water skiing has been her dream - being paid to do what she loves, and has worked so hard for, every day.
"I pretty much started skiing when I could walk," Ms Hall said.
Her father used to do show skiing; her mother did social skiing.
Ms Hall has had to travel to pursue her sport, from the seven-hour round trips to be part of a ski show team in Melbourne, to frequenting the central Victorian water skiing hotspots, to the international opportunities made possible by a dedication to excellence.
She has also endured pain, already having had two shoulder reconstructions in her teenage years.
Emotions were mixed as Ms Hall looked ahead to the move - her first outside of her family home. But, with friends already working in the stunt show team at Sea World, she had the promise of support.
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