INTERVIEW with Bree Tiana || Miss Galaxy Australia National Finalist 2024
Above: Photo by gzeepix
Hi Bree. Can you introduce yourself to my readers who don’t know you yet?
Hi Readers, I’m Bree. I’m a 26 year old Phillip Island girl from regional Victoria. I work as a Senior Specialist Family Violence Practitioner and work alongside perpetrators to change their abusive behaviours within the community and against their loved ones. In addition, I have been a child victim-survivor of violence and abusive behaviour and the path I have taken to try to understand my experiences as a young person has led me to be more resolved, compassionate and committed to supporting others with understanding their experiences.
I could also be described as a chronic illness warrior and advocate for discussions about chronic illness. Both, those I know and I, have been subjected to harsh ridicule, discrimination and harassment by people over the inconsistency and inconvenience our chronic illnesses cause. It hasn’t been until recently in the roles that I’ve been in for the last 3-4 years that I’ve received more compassion and understanding than ever about my illness. The truth is, chronic illnesses are chronically exhausting and most of the time symptoms receive treatment rather than having a suitable treatment for the root cause. When this occurs, symptoms appear and are experienced in an inconsistent manner.
I am also a podcast host, pageant girly, model and mum to two beautiful boys.
I have had careers such as event planning, hospitality and marketing management.
More than all of these things I am more than a sum of these parts.
SD: You’re a finalist for Miss Galaxy Australia 2024. Can you tell us more about it?
Oooh yes! Miss Galaxy Australia is a national pageant system that gives delegates a healthy and welcoming community of like-minded women to compete against to become the best version of themselves. Through charity, community involvement, collaborations with sponsors and of course, the onstage rounds, Miss Galaxy Australia gives women from across the country the confidence and chance to shine. By receiving the recognition they deserve from the work they put in to support their communities and development, Miss Galaxy Australia celebrates women’s diversity, community and going the extra mile for the things we believe in.
SD: How did you become interested in pageants?
I became interested in pageants when I was young but I never would’ve had the support, money or time to dedicate to them, let alone even knowing they were possible in Australia.
When a friend of mine introduced me to pageantry as an adult I was a little skeptical, the truth is that historically pageants have not been the most accessible and accepting opportunities for delegates, but being the strong advocate and feminist I am, I was keen to tear the roof off.
Truthfully however, it’s not like that at all. I think it can be so easy to make assumptions about something when you’re not a part of it and that was definitely a shortcoming I had had before entering and falling in love.
Almost all systems I’ve been involved in have had a significant charity and community-based commitment. They have pushed me to become better at interviews, advocacy and forced me to be a better public speaker. Pageants have taught me to back myself and that practice really helps everything. I have had conversations and opportunities to advocate with the widest array of people: candidates and counsellors, teachers, beauty experts, doctors, bikers and so many more. I truly feel accomplished, appreciated and proud to wear my sash and crown everywhere!
SD: What’s in your makeup bag right now?
Honestly, all of my makeup is in organisers at home but I have recently needed to have an on the go kit after a MUA cancelled my appointment last minute. In it I have some low cost items that get me through:
Coles brand 5 mini makeup brushes $5
Maybelline City Bronzer $10
Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Skin Tint $19
Revolution The Multi-Tasker Concealer $7
Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara $15
Maybelline Express Brow Pencil $9
It all cost way less than the service I was paying for to begin with too.
Above: Photo supplied by Bree Tiana
SD: What is your vision of success?
Success is achieving what you set out to do.
For example, for me being a successful public speaker would mean speaking at my own event in front of an auditorium full of people.
Success as a podcast host meant having a platform of listeners that were not just those sharing their stories. Success meant allowing people to be heard by and reach more audiences than they otherwise would have.
SD: What do you admire in a woman and why?
Bravery. The women in my life that matter most to me have always been brave. My mother was brave when she hid us as children and took us from our abusive environment. My sister was brave when she packed up her life and moved to South Africa to chase her dreams. My mentor was brave when she lost everything and then began building herself back up from nothing again to prove she wouldn’t stop. All of my heroes in life have been brave.
SD: If you could give one piece of advice to your 14 year old self, what would it be?
You are in control of the life you live and the places you go; nothing that you face can hold you back.
SD: Who are you most inspired by in the Pageant World and why?
I don’t know that I am the most inspired by anyone. I have lots of inspirations and the thing about pageantry is if you don’t see your inspiration amongst all of the girls there, you are empowered to make yourself your inspiration.
Across the time I’ve spent in pageants, Moraya Wilson has been someone that has moved me unlike any other. I met Moraya backstage at Miss Universe Finals in Melbourne in 2023 and was moved by her poise, care and kindness towards the other contestants. Moraya seemed to me like the quiet underdog of the competition, she and I chat about the opening runway where my friend and I shared the seats next to her partner and grandmother. I asked Moraya about what her purpose was for competing in Miss Universe and she entertained every question I asked of her. She never appeared to rushed or bothered by any question I asked and it was clear that she had time for people, even stagehands like me. That inspired me to hold greater attention and awareness for people and be present in every opportunity.
SD: How have beauty pageants impacted your life and your career?
Beauty pageants have made me a better public speaker, advocate and communicator. They have encouraged me to show up as my best self and own the spaces I consume. Beauty Pageants or rather just pageantry has shown me how to back myself and show up in rooms I otherwise would have only entered.
SD: What is your best beauty secret?
Work through the emotions that plague you. Who you are, your trauma, your negative thoughts or feelings project through you and are always on display in pageantry; in your poise, in your conversation and in your exhibition of self. It’s important to work through your emotions and get to a resolved, balanced and empowered place so you don’t project that negativity onto other areas of your life. You are your own best friend in life, but you also have the ability to be your own biggest enemy.
Bree’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breetiana_/
Bree’s batyr fundraising page: https://www.batyr.com.au/my-fundraising/124/bree-tiana
Above: Photo supplied by Bree Tiana