The Illawarra Mercury People’s Choice winner in the 2016 Illawara’s Top Model fundraising competition is planning to complete her HSC this year before pursuing a modelling career.

The Warilla High student not only impressed many with her modelling skills but her encouragement of everyone she came in contact with during the course of the Highlights on Mental Health initiative.

Modelling is what she has wanted to do for a long time. She said having access to such a professionally run competition and training in her hometown was a wonderful opportunity. It was not only fantastic experience learning many facets of the industry but it was great to be able to raise funds for the Light & Hope Mental Clubhouse in Wollongong.

“It was a surprise to be named Mercury Reader’s Choice winner. The main thing though was the fundraising which is what encouraged me to enter,” she said.

At 16 Ms Millar said she was just happy to make it through the first heat. But by making it to the final she said it felt like people liked what she was doing. She is now encouraging other young men and women to consider signing up in 2017. Ms Millar said 2017 is an important year where she wants to complete Year 12 before setting her sights on fashion shows and photo shoots.

Illawarra’s Top Model event founder Robyn te Velde and her son Paul James Hay, of Core Artist Management, both see her as having enormous potential.

“I have a contact with Paul and I am hoping to keep going,” Ms Millar said.