She Magazine Interview Feature ❤️
Grace in Growth: Shehara Fernando’s Journey of Purpose, Resilience & Mental Health Advocacy
Mrs Galaxy Australia – National Finalist Victoria
Q: Tell us about yourself, Shehara.
Shehara:
I am a proud wife, a devoted mother to my 10-year-old son, and a Mental Health Registered Nurse with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals and families during their most vulnerable moments. I migrated to Australia at the age of 17, a defining chapter in my life that shaped my resilience, work ethic, and deep appreciation for growth through change.
I participated in the Australia Galaxy Pageants, and I am honoured to be a National Finalist for Mrs Galaxy Australia, proudly representing Victoria at the national finals this year.
I created my platform “Grace in Growth” to reflect both my personal journey and my professional passion for mental health and wellbeing education. Australia Galaxy Pageants also encourages delegates to raise funds for batyr, a preventive youth mental health charity. Over the past decade, AGP delegates have raised over half a million dollars for chosen charities, and I am proud to support this meaningful cause.
My batyr fundraising link is below:
https://www.batyr.com.au/my-fundraising/420/shehara-fernando
I would also like to extend a special mention to my wonderful sponsors, Tusk Gallery Melbourne and Salon Elkay Narre Warren.
Q: What does nursing mean to you?
Shehara:
Nursing has never been just a career for me; it is a calling. Working in mental health has given me a front-row seat to both the fragility and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. It has also reinforced my belief that education, compassion, and early intervention are fundamental to building healthier individuals and safer communities.
Q: You’ve delivered educational sessions as well. What has that involved?
Shehara:
Alongside my clinical work, I have had the privilege of delivering educational sessions to a wide range of organisations, General Practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists, focusing on mental health and wellbeing, Mental Health First Aid training, and education around antipsychotic medications. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to empowering both healthcare professionals and the broader community through knowledge and collaboration.
Q: How did your pageant journey begin?
Shehara:
My pageant journey began when I made the conscious decision to step outside my comfort zone. I entered the Mrs Australia Galaxy Pageant not only to challenge myself, but to grow in confidence, purpose, and personal leadership.
For me, this journey has been a powerful experience of personal growth — learning to believe in myself more, become comfortable using my voice, and step forward with courage and confidence. It has helped me strengthen my mindset, build resilience, and grow into a stronger version of myself both personally and emotionally.
Australia Galaxy Pageants, founded in 2011, has empowered over 570 girls and women through confidence-building, leadership development, community involvement, advocacy, charity fundraising, and personal development opportunities — making it a truly inspiring platform for women to shine and grow.
Q: What made the Galaxy platform meaningful for you?
Shehara:
The Galaxy platform deeply resonated with me because of its strong values, integrity, and commitment to community service — principles that align closely with my own. It’s more than a pageant; it encourages women to grow into confident leaders, give back to the community, and use their voice for positive change.
I also loved that the Galaxy journey focuses on personal development and becoming the best version of yourself, which connects strongly with my own passion for growth, education, and mental health advocacy.
I am honoured to be a National Finalist for Mrs Galaxy Australia, proudly representing Victoria at the national finals this year, and I feel grateful to be part of a platform that celebrates purpose, resilience, and meaningful impact.
Q: Your platform is called “Grace in Growth.” What does it represent?
Shehara:
My platform, “Grace in Growth” (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582989702603), reflects both my personal journey and my professional passion. It is founded on the belief that growth — whether personal, emotional, or mental — does not happen overnight. It requires grace, patience, and education.
“Grace in Growth” is also a reminder that healing and progress are not always linear. There are moments of strength, moments of struggle, and moments where simply showing up is an achievement. I want people to understand that it is okay to take things step by step, and that true growth happens when we give ourselves permission to learn, evolve, and keep going with kindness towards ourselves.
Through this platform, I aim to encourage individuals to build emotional resilience, strengthen their mindset, and feel supported in their mental wellbeing journey. My goal is to create a safe and empowering space where people feel seen, heard, and reminded that they are not alone.
Ultimately, Grace in Growth is about empowering people to grow at their own pace, with the right support, knowledge, and compassion — because every small step forward matters.
Q: What is the mission behind Grace in Growth?
Shehara:
The mission behind Grace in Growth is to help people feel more informed, supported, and confident when it comes to mental health and emotional wellbeing. I want to encourage early awareness and open conversations, so people can recognise when something isn’t right — in themselves or someone they care about — and feel empowered to seek support sooner.
I am passionate about prevention rather than reaction, because we cannot reduce the impact of mental illness without first strengthening mental health literacy in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. My goal is to create more understanding, reduce stigma, and support people in building resilience through education, compassion, and practical tools.
Q: What do you focus on through your advocacy work?
Shehara:
Through Grace in Growth, I champion mental health literacy, emotional resilience, and Mental Health First Aid, equipping people with the tools to recognise early warning signs, support one another, and seek help without shame or stigma.
Q: You’ve also represented mental health nurses at Parliament — can you share that experience?
Shehara:
I have also had the opportunity to attend the Melbourne Parliament through the HACSU union, representing Victorian mental health nurses and speaking with various ministers about the challenges facing our mental health workforce, as well as the importance of working collaboratively to build a better, safer community for all.
Q: What does this title and journey mean to you overall?
Shehara:
This journey is not just about wearing a crown. It is about using my voice, lived experience, and professional expertise to advocate for meaningful change and to create a more compassionate, informed, and mentally healthy society.
Connect with Shehara Fernando
👑 Mrs Galaxy Australia – National Finalist Victoria
📍 Mental Health Registered Nurse | Platform: Grace in Growth
✨ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/shehar_afernando
✨ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582989702603