Abbey was diagnosed with epilepsy and several other medical conditions at three years old. Abbey's mother Clare Laceysaid her daughter had always loved the camera, but lacked confidence.

"There wasn't really much ambition behind her and she had no self-confidence," said Clare.

The family moved to Canberra late last year, and Abbeybecame a student at St Claire's College. After seeing ads for Fashfest, Clare decided to buy tickets and give Abbey the opportunity to see what it was all about.

Clare also organised for Abbey to go backstage and chat with local designer Vicky Kidd-Gallichan of label Rockstars and Royalty.

"We just fell in love with the local designers, the hairdressers and everything like that, so that's how she knew she wanted to do modelling," Clare said.

Through a series of events, Abbey also met model Marissa Briedenhann.

"Marissa's taken her under her wing like a little sister and she showed her how to do her first modelling shoot," Clare said. "She spoils her rotten."

"They had the make-up artist there, the photographer and everything. It was like a dream come true for her."

Searching around for more modelling opportunities for Abbey, Clare came across the Miss Teen Galaxy competition, and they were thrilled to find out that Abbey was accepted as one of the first finalists.

Because there is no ACT division, Abbey must compete for NSW, but she wants to do what she can to represent her adopted home territory and particularly her suburb of Duffy.

Abbey must nominate and raise money for a charity as part of the competition, and she chose Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"She's really excited and keen to try and get some donations happening to raise some money for a very sick child to have their wish granted," Clare said. "She's spent her time in hospital, so she's been there, she's done it.

"She gets more pleasure out of helping other kids who are quite sick and she knows that beauty's not just on the outside."

The competition is early next year, with the winners of Miss Teen Galaxy Australia going on to compete in the United States.

With her love for fashion, Abbey looks forward to competing on stage and wearing glamorous pieces from Australian designers Show Stoppers and Sax Sea Boutique.

Clare believes the change in Abbey now is astounding.

"The confidence is unbelievable," she said. "I think Canberra's given her such an opportunity to find herself.

"She wants other people to know that if you've got a medical condition, it doesn't matter; it's not going to stop you from doing what you want to do."

Abbey is excited about where the competition could take her.

"I want to be a role model for any person who has a medical condition because I want to help them whenever they finish school and see how much I can help" she said. "I didn't think I could do, but it just proves if you really try you can do it.

"I would like to see myself modelling in New York because I think getting that far would totally be amazing."

Wedding winners tie the knot

Congratulations to Julie Marshall and Alex Mills, who were married at Flint In The Vines on September 5 after winning the Spring Wedding Giveawayback in May.

The couple tied the knot in front of family and friends on the grass in a rustic ceremony after a romantic proposal aboard a hot air balloon over Canberra last September.

While rain threatened, the clouds parted and the sun shone on the happy couple as they said their vows.

Fashion with a side of flowers

Flowers have well and truly taken over. As well as Floriade, this weekend alone, you can visit the Tulip Top Gardens Spring Festival and the Orchid Show, as well as a host of open gardens.

If you like your fashion with a side of floral, the glass floor exhibition on level one of the Canberra Centre has been transformed into a floral wonderland by the floristry students from Canberra Institute of Technology.

Titled Passiflora, the living exhibition is reminiscent of Raffles Hotel in Singapore, with a giant floral chandelier suspended from the roof and lush hanging gardens hovering above a living banquet table, plus orchids that have been flown in directly from Singapore.

The colourful display is the work of CIT floristry students Irene Drakakis, Belinda Finch, Vicky Kanellopoulos, Connie Lafranchi, Caitlin North,Mary Pollard, Julie Ryan, Jennifer Williams, Jong Yoo, Jana Balogh, Susie Dunn, Angela Field, Ngaire Gamack, Christine May, Lindsay Morgan, Colleen Stoddard and Geetha Wijewickrema.

You can check out Passiflora at the Canberra Centre until Thursday, September 25. Free.

Anna in the top three

As we reported in early August, Hockeyroo Anna Flanagan was a finalist in the Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Female Awards, and she has now been announced in the final three in the sport category. Anna is up against Cooma local Torah Bright and professional surfer Tyler Wright. You can vote for your favourites at cosmopolitan.com.au. The winners in each category will be announced on November 12. Go Anna!

What's On

- Hustle&Scout Twilight Market celebrates its first birthday next weekend with its biggest event yet at a brand-new location. It will again partner up with foodie event The Forage. Hangar #47 at Fairbairn will be converted into a buzzing precinct of fashion markets, food stalls, roaming models, live music and even a live stream of the AFL grand final. Saturday, September 27, 2-7pm. Hangar #47, 8 Point Cook Avenue, Fairbairn. Free entry.

- Another open garden next weekend, this time in Queanbeyan. The inaugural Keith Reid Memorial Open Garden and Exhibition will display Asian sculptures in a riverside garden setting. Entry $5 per person with all proceeds going to Home In Queanbeyan, supporting people with mental illness. September 27-28, 10am-4pm. 7A Thorpe Avenue, Queanbeyan.