Reena Augustine #SheInspires

March 8, 2017

Tell us a little bit about yourself – who you are and what you do

The recently crowned winner of the Brisbane Women in Business Award for Community Dedication I have continued to blaze a trail in my quest for equality.

Coming to Australia from India as a student, I am now an Australian Citizen and have a deep and lasting love for Brisbane. I have gone on to support community events for over six years volunteering my time, energy and goodwill along the way and continue to do so in my role as also the Lions Club Medical Research Personality Quest (LMPQ) 2016-2017.

With a background of including and caring for everyone it was a privilege to accept this role I strive to support people in so many ways by offering my services for free of charge for the community as a photographer, event organiser, stage manager, model handler and many more.

I work as a Registered migration agent in my business, Migration Net, I run several businesses wearing several hats along the way with each one either bringing people together or providing a service or common cause to help others, while organising fashion shows and events, and doubles up as a charity worker and so much more. I continue to bring people together from all walks of life and continue to promote multiculturalism to remove all barriers as we go.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

I always wanted to be a police officer to look after the community and do the right thing for the people and help women especially.

What are you most proud of?

a) I am proud of myself in many ways, most of all when I look back and see what great risks I have taken in my life to be what I am today is unbelievable. When my name was announced as the women In business community dedication winner, it was a very proud moment as there were amazing other women who were finalists and for me to win was beyond my thinking and that too being only 6 years in Australia, this means surely my hard work is being recognised and noted.

b) Attaining Citizenship in Australia is the biggest hurdle for many migrants and overcoming that hurdle is like winning life success to live in the best country in the world, and I achieved it.

c) One vision, one goal and a team to unite the multicultural community of Australia was achieved through the award-winning Multicultural fashion show 2015 and 2016.

While doing all this, challenging the stereotypes of beauty and fashion and work positively towards breaking down those stereotypes through celebrating all men and women, no matter what cultural background, shape or size.

I believe beauty is in the spirit which shines through in your eyes, in your laughter and through your happiness.
 Diversity and acceptance is the culture we should follow and I am proud to be a platform that says no to pre-existing stereotypes of the fashion industry as we lead the way to a more inclusive future all the while promoting multiculturalism.

Which person inspires you the most?

My father had been a great strength always, he has embedded some great qualities in me, everyone in my family tells me that, he was a stuntman for South Indian movies, a wrestler, Mechanical engineer, civil engineer, his hobby was photography too and many other things he had done in his life. So clearly he has inspired me in every way, his teachings were that we should always be thankful to anyone and everyone for what they do for us and always give as much as you can and never expect.

The most important one he taught me that, when you take a decision, never look back because whoever looks back never creates a history, this has just sat in my head and heart and I follow this religiously.

What has been a life changing moment for you?

Coming to Australia has been a life changing experience. Sitting on the terrace, in a small city where I was brought up and looking at the planes flying over my head and thinking that , it is a dream to fly one day, but I made it happen. I decided to come here and from the day I have landed here in Australia, I have only seen opportunities.

It is merely on us how we take it. So taking the decision of coming here and settling here has been life changing, I have the best of both worlds – India and Australia.

What drives you?

The ability to live and breathe and wake up and take any decision in life is my driving force in the land of opportunities.

The ability to share my view and have a voice to bring people together is very challenging, and this challenge is the main driving force, “let’s make it happen” comes to my mind whenever I see challenge.

What has been the biggest lesson you have learnt (in life or business)?

“No one should be left behind”.

I believe beauty is in the spirit which shines through in your eyes, in your laughter and through your happiness.
Diversity and acceptance is the culture we should follow and I am proud to be a platform that says no to pre-existing stereotypes of the fashion industry as we lead the way to a more inclusive future all the while promoting multiculturalism.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given and by whom?

Coming to Australia and facing challenges I had two choices. I could either quit and get nowhere and let a lot of people down, including myself, or I could keep going and make it happen
whichever right way I could.

So my advice is if you put your heart soul and mind at something , it will be achieved you just have to make a decision, no one else will do it for you , once decision taken, there is no looking back, as my father used to say, people who look back don’t create history.

Quote to live by?

“There are no short cuts”.

“Take risks –if you win it’s a bonus and if you don’t at least you will not regret that you didn’t give it a go”.

What are your top 3 bucket list items?

a) Become the voice of Australians so that we can promote more multicultural society and treat everyone equally, teach to perform a kind deed without expecting anything in return.

b) Make a difference in someone’s life – when you make a difference in someone’s life, you change the person’s life for the better… permanently.

c) Become so successful that I will able to educate kids in underprivileged countries.

What’s next for you?

Next is my Law degree completion –so that I can be qualified to help the domestic violated people. And lots of volunteering in different fields all over Australia

What’s your greatest regret?

My greatest regret is that all I am achieving in life, big or small – my parents are not around to see and be proud of their daughter, as I lost both of them. This will be always the biggest regret, as they are the ones who have embedded the qualities in me with which I am able to do so much for the community — I get that from them.

What is the key to your happiness?

Helping others – definitely makes me happy, one phone call about how I have made a difference in people’s life is enough for me to have a good sleep.

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