NATIONAL FINALIST: Lillian Van der Veen is a one of six Australian girls in the running for big prizes in the Dolly Magazine model competition.
BAKERY beauty Lillian Van der Veen might hit the modelling big time - she is a finalist in the Original Dolly Model Search 2012.
The 17-year-old Margaret River Bakery pastry chef beat more than 1900 other teens who entered via the Dolly magazine website to become one of six finalists.
Dolly editor Tiffany Dunk said it was Lillian’s love of healthy living that helped make her a finalist, as well as her “angelic face”.
"Lillian really impressed the judges with her confidence and passion for health and wellbeing,” Tiffany said. “She’s got a lot of great advice to share.”
Lillian was “really excited” when Tiffany called her with the good news, as well as shocked. Her mother had warned her not to get her hopes up because so many girls had entered.
Holland-born Lillian moved to Australia at the age of 12 had to learn a new language very quickly. Living in Busselton, she has worked at the bakery for three years, going from part-time to full time during her gap year.
She loves the bakery, the staff, and the baking, and it was her boss who encouraged her to enter the competition. The staff are bursting with pride over her success.
“Dolly Model Search aims to find a girl who can be more than just a model, but also a role model for other teenagers,” Lillian said. “It is all about living and promoting a healthy lifestyle and body image, things that I am really passionate about.”
She writes about her love of food, fashion and photography on her blog, lillianvanderveen.blogspot. com. au. Regardless of how she goes in the competition, Lillian intends to study occupational therapy at university, but a potential career in modelling would be the icing on the cake.
To vote for Lillian online, visit the Dolly website at http://dolly.ninemsn.com.au