Miss Galaxy Australia inspires others to reach for the stars

Rosebud’s Skyla Lauch has been crowned Miss Galaxy Australia 2023. She spoke to Sarah Halfpenny about what it means to represent Australia on the international stage and fulfill a lifelong dream.

What inspired you to compete in this event?

It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little girl to compete in pageantry, but it was never really an option for me growing up. When I turned 22 last year and had become financially independent, it was still a dream I thought about regularly, so I competed and fell in love with the Galaxy system, which made me so excited to return this year.

As an Indigenous Australian, do you hope to use this platform to raise awareness and promote the culture and traditions of your community?

I think the main thing for me is representation. We don’t often see Indigenous women in positions of power in our country, in mainstream media or in the fashion industry. I hope I can be that representation for young girls who are just like me, for them to look at me and think “Wow, if she can follow her dreams and become Miss Galaxy Australia, then I can be whatever I want to be!” I am so grateful to have had this platform to be a voice for my people, for our injustices and inequality, along with our successes and achievements. I am very excited to take this platform to a global scale when I go to America to compete in the international competition.

How do you plan to balance your responsibilities as Miss Galaxy Australia with your personal life and other commitments?

This can be quite difficult at times. I work full-time as a cultural educator teaching about Aboriginal culture, which has been embedded in this beautiful land for tens of thousands of years, and part-time as a model, and then I have the national title on top of this. But it’s all about prioritising what is really important to me. Using my title to create positive change is at the top of my list of priorities.

What advice would you give to other young women who aspire to follow in your footsteps?

These experiences aren’t so much about coming home with the crown but your journey of self-growth and development along the way. You’ll be surrounded by some of the most empowering and inspirational women you have ever met, who make you want to be the best version of yourself. You’ll leave with a sense of confidence and belonging that you never knew you lacked. I would say if you are considering it then go for it, because it may just change your life like it has mine.

What are you most looking forward to about representing Australia when you travel to Florida for the final in August?

To meet like-minded women from all over the world and to learn their stories and inspirations in competing. I am also incredibly excited to be able to share my own personal story with the world, and more importantly my platform as an Aboriginal woman.

What are your long-term life goals, and how do you plan to continue making a positive impact on your community and the world around you?

It is my life mission to leave a positive, long-lasting impact in Indigenous communities. Once my reign is over as Miss Galaxy, I will continue my work as a cultural educator and strive to inspire other Indigenous youth to follow their dreams and reach for the stars.