Ms Lee sings at her church, St Marks in Wollongong, and teaches singing at a high school.

‘’I am doing a traineeship with my church which involves part time community work and part time study,’’ she said.

Ms Lee’s ambitions include becoming a professional singer but she also wants to become a full time mum.

She entered Illawarra’s Top Model for the experience and to do something she thought might be fun.

But she also wanted to challenge herself to step outside her comfort zone for something that could make a difference in the lives of others.

All the young men and women who entered the competition have raised close to $50,000 for the Light & Hope Mental Health Clubhouse in Wollongong.

‘’It is a combination of supporting a good cause and the experience,’’ Ms Lee said.

‘’I went on the first night to check it out and met so many lovely people I wanted to keeping doing it and get to know them. I’ve learned a lot too. I’ve learned new skills. I really like learning new things and meeting new people.’’

Ms Lee thought she was initially coming to an information night but was taught so many new things she found it a great personal development opportunity.

‘’I have met some really great people and it has been a great chance to just get involved in the community a bit,” she said.

Making the final was great and Ms Lee really enjoyed getting her hair and make-up done and the opportunity to participate in a professional photo shoot for the first time.

She had never walked on a catwalk before and is keen to do more modelling.

But something really important to her is to be a positive role model for younger girls.

“I really have a heart for telling young girls that beauty is so much more than how you look,’’ she said.

‘’If this can lead to a platform where I can speak to young girls who really struggle with image I would tell them it is not really as important as you think. The most important beauty is the internal beauty of the heart and being yourself. I am really passionate about that. I am hoping that this is a way that I can hopefully help young people.to feel better about themselves.’’

Illawarra Mercury readers can vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Illawarra’s Top Model will be judged in the mall on October 10 and announced at the Highlights on Mental Health Ball at the Novotel on October 17.