Miss World Australia National Finalist Jessica Pinkerton
– making hospitals better one at a time.
Jessica Pinkerton shares a dream: “To improve Australia’s health care system, one rural hospital at a time.”
Born and raised in Wollongong NSW, Jessica – a top ten 2013 Miss World Australia National Finalist – joins Australians for Australia as an Ambassador to help realise that dream.
Jessica is no stranger to disability, health care and hospitals, growing up with an older brother with profound cerebral palsy and completing a nursing degree before suffering a severe injury for which she continues to be treated.
Compassionate and competitive, her experiences have given Jessica a focus on disability and advocacy as well as awareness of the need for improved resourcing in Australian hospitals.
Born and raised in Wollongong NSW, Jessica – a top ten 2013 Miss World Australia National Finalist – joins Australians for Australia as an Ambassador to help realise that dream.
Jessica is no stranger to disability, health care and hospitals, growing up with an older brother with profound cerebral palsy and completing a nursing degree before suffering a severe injury for which she continues to be treated.
Compassionate and competitive, her experiences have given Jessica a focus on disability and advocacy as well as awareness of the need for improved resourcing in Australian hospitals.
“I completed a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Wollongong in 2009 then worked as a Registered Nurse at St George Hospital specialising in Trauma, Plastics, Neuro-Surgical, Ear Nose and Throat, Facio-Maxilliary and Breast Endocrine Nursing. In July 2011, after two years of full time shift work, I had a severe snowboarding accident that damaged the ligaments in my pelvis, the cartilage in my left hip socket and caused a bulging disk in my lower back. I haven’t been able to work as a nurse since then and two years on I am still undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.
“In April 2013 I competed in the Miss Sydney pageant. I was lucky enough to come away winning the Interview Award.
“Since entering the Miss World Australia pageant I’ve often been asked, ‘Why?’ I believe it is because up until my accident life had been dictated by my perception of societal expectations rather than following my own hopes and dreams. I believe in trying to leave the world a better place than I found it. This requires me to take a leap of faith outside my comfort zone and into the unknown. My accident caused me to confront the tough decision of what next to make of life and to wholly give myself to what became my Miss World Australia campaign.
“Since being accepted into the Miss World Australia pageant in January 2013 I have devoted over 800 hours to my campaign, held nine fundraising events and raised over $14,000 for The Lilla Foundation.
“I also plan to undertake a research Masters in Nursing focused specifically on the viability and demand for a support and advocacy organisation in the Illawarra for young adults who have siblings with disabilities. Currently in the Illawarra there are siblings groups for children but nothing for teens and young adults.
“I currently volunteer at Catholic Care, founded in the 1980s by my great uncle, Bishop Bill Murray. SibsClub, a sector of Catholic Care, was set up to facilitate the gathering and meeting of children aged 4 - 12 who have siblings with a disability to participate in social activities and bonding games.”
A Wollongong radio interview with Jessica about her Miss World Australia campaign led to her involvement with Australians for Australia.
“I am so happy and grateful for this opportunity to work for a fantastic cause and common dream to improve Australia’s health care system, one rural hospital at a time!”
“In April 2013 I competed in the Miss Sydney pageant. I was lucky enough to come away winning the Interview Award.
“Since entering the Miss World Australia pageant I’ve often been asked, ‘Why?’ I believe it is because up until my accident life had been dictated by my perception of societal expectations rather than following my own hopes and dreams. I believe in trying to leave the world a better place than I found it. This requires me to take a leap of faith outside my comfort zone and into the unknown. My accident caused me to confront the tough decision of what next to make of life and to wholly give myself to what became my Miss World Australia campaign.
“Since being accepted into the Miss World Australia pageant in January 2013 I have devoted over 800 hours to my campaign, held nine fundraising events and raised over $14,000 for The Lilla Foundation.
“I also plan to undertake a research Masters in Nursing focused specifically on the viability and demand for a support and advocacy organisation in the Illawarra for young adults who have siblings with disabilities. Currently in the Illawarra there are siblings groups for children but nothing for teens and young adults.
“I currently volunteer at Catholic Care, founded in the 1980s by my great uncle, Bishop Bill Murray. SibsClub, a sector of Catholic Care, was set up to facilitate the gathering and meeting of children aged 4 - 12 who have siblings with a disability to participate in social activities and bonding games.”
A Wollongong radio interview with Jessica about her Miss World Australia campaign led to her involvement with Australians for Australia.
“I am so happy and grateful for this opportunity to work for a fantastic cause and common dream to improve Australia’s health care system, one rural hospital at a time!”