Helping women and children, and being a voice for women, has been Karen's life-long commitment to the community.
"This is the true joy in life … being used for a purpose recognised by yourself as a mighty one. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. Life is no brief candle to me. It's a sort of splendid torch which I've got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing on to future generations." George Bernard Shaw
MRS AUSTRALIA 2011/12
In August 2011 Karen earned the title Mrs Australia World 2011/12 after a year raising awareness and funds for ovarian cancer and donating funds to charities such as the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) for which she is now an Ambassador, in addition to her career and media achievements. Karen also received the 'Best in Media' and 'Mrs Popularity' Awards.
Karen had the opportunity to represent Australian women and her community causes at the international Mrs World competition in December 2011 in the US. Thank you to her wonderful sponsors: Hills in Hollywood, Happy Teeth, SMMH (Sydney Mobile Makeup and Hair), VIVO Cafe, Newsmaker, Souraya Couture, Perry Ellis Hair, smiink Lash Artistry Lashes, Akubra, Strand Hatters, Opals Australia, Shoes of Prey, Eagle Waves Radio, Can I Borrow That? and BellaModa Brazil.
In 2011 Karen held a fundraising breakfast with Network Central with guests Tracey Spicer (SKY News), Rachael Oakes-Ash (Author - Anything She Can Do, I Can Do Better) and Alison Watkins (CEO GrainCorp), and a Curves Zumbathon to raise awareness and funds for Ovarian Cancer.
Karen appeared on Ch 7's Sunrise and The Morning Show after winning the title to discuss the competition and to promote awareness of ovarian cancer; she was invited back to Sunrise to reveal her National Costume and regularly appeared on The Morning Show as their parenting expert wearing her 'ovarian cancer' ribbon. You can also watch the Ovarian Cancer Community Service Announcement Karen produced by clicking here.
During her year as a Finalist, Karen secured the following sponsors: Happy Teeth, Spotlight, Network Central, Curves, Hills in Hollywood, Chatswood Sign-a-rama, Harvey Norman Belrose, Belaroma Coffee Roasting Company, Zodee, Von Lillianstein Jewellery (Hunter Valley), VIVO Cafe and Thought Leaders Studio who supported Karen's efforts to raise awareness of the importance of early detection and the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Thank you also to the sponsors Karen brought in to support the Mrs Australia Quest National Finals - Goldwell, Just Liberated, Amandara, Newsmaker and Wedding & Events of Australia.
For more information about OCRF www.ocrf.com.au
Other Community Work
Karen has contributed to a large range of community-focused organisations and community issues in paid, volunteer and participatory capacities, including: NSW Association for Gifted & Talented Children; The Smith Family; The New Children's Hospital Westmead; Mother's Day Classic; Brave Hearts Foundation; Family Planning NSW; UNICEF; World Vision; Project Dovetail; WIN Foundation; and Amnesty International.
Karen produced and presented a documentary about domestic violence in Australia titled 'Behind Closed Doors' in partnership with FilmStretch. A fundraising premiere screening was held in July 2010 hosted by the Business Networking Academy. View the documentary here on You Tube.