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The rain has not dampened the spirits of Aleisha Brooke-Smith, who started a new job yesterday, is competing in the Miss Universe heats in Sydney today and lines up for the Miss Sydney Australia final tomorrow.
Ms Brooke-Smith is one of three South Coast entrants vying to become the region's first Miss Sydney Australia winner.
Today's Miss Universe heats at Ryde will be a great way to warm up and, while this week's rain is probably not good news for her father Winton Brooke-Smith's water transport business, it is not bothering the 21-year-old in her quest for the title.
Miss Brooke-Smith already has international modelling experience in London and Milan and hopes Miss Sydney Australia will help her career in Australia.
She was encouraged to enter by 2012 entrant Laura Thompson, who went on to represent Australia at the Miss Tourism World final in Thailand last November.
Ms Brooke-Smith said she could not do it without the support of her family, who attended all her shows.
Mr Brooke-Smith said he did not know how his daughter managed to do so many things at once but he was was excited and very proud.
The former Kiama High School student, who travelled to Europe on a working holiday after finishing school, is one of 18 entrants from around the state hoping to be named the 2013 Miss Sydney Australia.
She worked in an Italian dress shop while she modelled in Europe and was previously offered a contract in America while she was still at school.
"I think Miss Sydney Australia will be good experience and another good stepping stone in my career," she said.
"Felice Colarusso [event founder] provides up-and-coming models with a wonderful opportunity."
Ms Brooke-Smith lives on a property near Jamberoo and hopes her involvement in this weekend's final will provide the Shellharbour and Kiama area with some publicity.
Other South Coast entrants are Wollongong's Miss World Australia entrant Jesy Pinkerton, 25, of Keiraville, and 17-year-old Rebecca Roeseler, of Burrill Lake.