Shanaya McAdam-Bray - Winner 2023

Why did you enter Country to Canberra’s Leadership Competition?

I applied to Country to Canberra’s Leadership Competition to further my leadership skills and to create new relationships with influential people and like minded individuals, as well to grow my connections for adulthood to help empower and uplift my community.

What do you hope to get out of the Power Trip?

By attending the Power Trip, I hope I’m able to meet other amazing women from around the country to share stories and experiences to help uplift and empower each other, as well as making new relationships. I’m really looking forward to having interesting conversations and meeting new kinds of people.

Who is your role model and why?

It would be my mum, she shows me that no matter what life throws at you you get back up and keep trying and that what happens to you doesn’t define you and to always look for the positive. Mum is the most loving, kind-hearted, strongest woman I know. I hope when I grow up, I can be at least half of my mum’s beauty and kindness.

What’s your favourite thing about living in rural Australia?

I would have to say my favourite thing about living in a rural place such as Alice Springs is that it’s such a beautiful place. There is nowhere else quite like it, as well as all my family live here, and being able to grow up with my cousins.

What’s your main goal or ambition (right now, or in the future)?

My main goal right now is to finish year 12 and move on to further education. My main ambition is to be the first person in my family to go to college and graduate with a law and political science degree.

Tell us a couple of things you do to relax or have fun?

I enjoy reading various kinds of novels. There’s nothing like reading new books and getting lost in your own creativity and imagination. I enjoy watching the sunrise with my little sister with a hot chocolate. I also enjoy getting manicures, pedicures, doing my make-up and going out to dinner with friends.

Where can we find you on social media?

Instagrams username-shanaya_mc.b Facebook username- Shanaya McAdam-Bray