Ms Dawson joined The Flagstaff Group in 2012 as a casual staff member doing data entry but soon found her passion and strengths in the HR team as a disability employment officer.

Her job involves recruiting employees with a disability and the facilitation of training programs.

She works with placing employees into businesses that take part in Flagstaff's community integration program where employees with a disability work in local organisations to gain skills and development.

Ms Dawson is no stranger to the world of fashion.

Before starting with Flagstaff, she dabbled in a range of modelling activities after leaving school.

She is a self-professed horse lover who enjoys eventing and dressage.

Ms Dawson said she was most comfortable in casual clothing - jeans, RM Williams boots and polo shirts.

But she also really enjoys the glamour and fashion-focused side of the modelling industry.

Ms Dawson said she jumped at the chance to take part in the competition.

She wanted to take part in the Highlights On Mental Health campaign to help raise money for and promote awareness about mental health because it is a cause close to her heart.

"As part of my role at Flagstaff, I work with a number of employees who deal with mental health issues day in and day out," she said.

"They are an inspiration for me and why I decided to get behind the cause."

Flagstaff Group chief executive Roy Rogers said he was delighted Ms Dawson has decided to enter.

But he was worried about what would happen if she won because she does such a great job that Flagstaff could not afford to lose her.

‘‘She is going great guns,’’ Mr Rogers said.

‘‘She came up with the idea to enter herself and spoke to a few people here. She is already starting to raise money and awareness.’’

Mr Rogers said Ms Dawson also worked with schools on Flagstaff’s Vocational Pathways Program.

He said she went in and talked to students with disabilities and then brought them to Flagstaff and showed them their options about getting into the workforce once they left school.

Mr Rogers said he too was a big supporter of the The Light and Hope Clubhouse and the Highlights On Mental Health campaign.

‘‘It is great to raise awareness and it is great for the city,’’ Mr Rogers said.

‘‘It is good to see fashion come back into Wollongong.’’

Ms Dawson attended an information session for Illawarra’s Top Model competition entrants at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach on Friday.

Entries are still open at www.highlightsonmentalhealth.com.au and previous modelling experience is not required.

Campaign director Robyn te Velde said hundreds of entrants were expected from across Australia and would participate in the fundraising activities in support of mental health in the Illawarra.

Mrs te Velde said a modelling contract in Europe was up for grabs with her son Paul James Hay, of Core Artist Management EU.

A Shoot the Model 2015 photographic competition is also underway.

Professional, amateur and student photographers are invited to compete for $3,000 in cash prizes.

Hair Salons have also been invited to compete for the title of Highlight’s Top Stylist, with judges selecting the winner from a special Styling Photo-Shoot with the 12 Illawarra Top Model finalists.

The Campaign will culminate with the Highlights Ball and Awards’ Night at the Northbeach Novotel on October 17, when the winners of the model competition, stylists and photography competition will be announced.