Beauty with a message
Justine Clarke is excited . The vivacious and confident 26-year-old , from Adelaide ’ s southern suburbs , is riding a wave of media attention following her involvement in the South Australian heat of the Miss World Australia competition , and she ’ s blown away by the attention .
“ The experience has been so surreal so far ,” she tells Link . “ I can ’ t believe the support I have received nationally and internationally . It ’ s difficult to comprehend that people are looking at me as a role model or for inspiration , and taking an interest in me and my cause . I am so humbled and grateful for the privilege .”
The first contestant in a wheelchair to enter Miss World Australia , Justine is also enjoying the primping and preening that comes with being involved in the world ’ s most famous beauty pageant , and has been struck by the modelling bug . “ I would love to be the first person in a wheelchair in Australia to model on a billboard for a big brand ,” she says .
However Justine ’ s involvement in Miss World is about much more than fulfilling her modelling dreams . She ’ s determined to use her profile to challenge stereotypes of disability , and to push for fairness and inclusion in the beauty and fashion industries .
linkonline . com . au interview 21