AISLING Ryan, this year’s Queensland Rose of Tralee, says her Catholic faith is “important” and has helped her attain various goals.
“My faith has helped me to form a strong set of values which I use as a guide to how I live my life and how I treat others,” Aisling, who was named Queensland Rose of Tralee in Brisbane on May 22, said.
“My parents raised me to have strong compassion for others which has led me into the (occupational therapy) profession that I am now a part of.
“It has also given me a strong sense of self which has attracted me to take part in and assisted me throughout the competition.”
The former John Paul College student entered the 23rd annual competition because of the family’s “strong sense of Irish community and culture”.
“My family has … always enjoyed becoming involved in Irish celebrations in Queensland,” the 21 year-old said.
“My cousin participated in the Queensland Rose of Tralee six years ago – which is the first time I heard about the festival.
“My family has encouraged me to take part in the festival for some time and this year was the opportune time.”
The competition aims to select “a young woman to represent Queensland in the International Rose of Tralee festival in Ireland”.
Aisling said it “celebrates the aspirations, ambitions, intellect, social responsibility and Irish heritage of modern young women from Ireland and around the world”.
Thirteen young women from Queensland entered this year and participated in a number of events over various months before the May “selection ball”.
“In the final few days leading up to the ball all of the entrants met and were interviewed by the judges,” Aisling said.
“On the night of the selection ball we were interviewed onstage in front of four hundred onlookers and had the option of performing a ‘party piece’.
“For my party piece I made balloon shapes – a skill I picked up in a former job as Captain Starlight for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.”
Aisling said she was “passionate” about helping children and hence her chosen career path specialising in young ones with special needs.
She will be heading to Ireland in August to represent Queensland.
“We tour from Dublin to Tralee in County Kerry where the festival is held over four days,” Aisling said.
“It comprises an Inter-national Gala Rose Ball, a fashion show and the Rose of Tralee selection which is broadcasted live on RTE, the Irish television channel.”
Level-headed Aisling said she enjoyed playing hockey, surfing and visiting family and friends when time allowed.
