Maria Brereton, a talented 12-year-old flautist, embodies Logan diversity.
She was born in Italy, then moved to Moldova, and six years ago arrived in Australia not speaking a word of English.
Now she’s fluent, and she’ll be representing both Logan and the country at an international pageant competition.
Miss Brereton will be competing in the Kids Star International Competiton in Thailand later this year, facing off against children across Europe, Africa and Asia.
“I want to promote Logan as a good and multicultural area… because that’s what it is,” she said.
“I want to give it a good image.”
To qualify, she placed second in a Face of Australia competition, and has been training and rehearsing every day.
The international pageant consists of three walks, Q and As, and a talent show in which she will be playing the flute.
She’s been playing for five years, and her mum Helen says she’s excelled quickly.
“Like every mother, I’m very proud,” Ms Brereton said.
“It’s constant hard work, for both her and me, so I really like going to events where I see other mothers trying to get their daughters off TikTok and onto the stage to socialise and perform.
“It’s just hard work for us mothers – we’re waking the kids up, packing and paying for the dresses, sewing the beads, paying for the lessons, printing the music, talking to the teachers, nagging them to practice, making sure the lunchbox is packed and all the other usual stuff that every parent has to do, plus a little bit extra.”
Ms Brereton is no stranger to the performer lifestyle.
She she first came to Australia while touring the world in an orchestra as a violinist.
“I ended up here and loved it, so I decided to migrate here,” she said.
When they moved from Moldova, which shares a border with ukraine, Ms Brereton said Australia’s clear blue skies, safety and stress-free offerings were a relief.
“It’s one of best countries in the world, if not the best, so I brought Maria over.”
Miss Brereton agreed.
“I came here when I was seven, and now I’m an Australian citizen,” Miss Brereton said.
“When I came to Australia, I couldn’t speak one word of English and people teased me because of it, but now I’m representing the country and I’m a proud Australian citizen,” she said.
“I like doing my walk and poses, I like showing people my personality, and I want to tell other migrant kids that just because you weren’t born in Australia, doesn’t mean you can never represent the country.
“I also want to be a role model to other kids.”
To make it to Thailand for the Kids Star International Competiton, Ms Brereton has made a GoFundMe: gofund.me/b8cfe5e8.
