Geraldton’s Sophie Coffin surprised at Miss NAIDOC Perth title win

This year’s Miss NAIDOC Perth winner is a 22-year-old who lived in Geraldton for 10 years and attended Nagle Catholic College.

Sophie Coffin, who is studying for a Masters of Law at the University of Western Australia, said she felt privileged and honoured to receive the title.

“It came as such a surprise because of all the strong and beautiful women participating this year,” she said.

“I will use this title to be a strong and positive role model in my community,”

Ms Coffin, a Nyangumarta Yindjibarndi woman, said many family members had come down from Hedland and Broome for the gala event at the Crown Ballroom in Perth recently.

In her competition entry statement, she said she was passionate about racism and educating non-Aboriginal people about her culture, specifically its history, and what it means to be an Aboriginal person today.

The Guardian asked her what her next step would be.

“I have to finish the uni semester before I can think too much about doing anything,” she said.

“That will finish in a few weeks, then I will have free time to do more out in the community.”

Runner-up was Krystyn Bonney, 25, from Geraldton’s Yamatji community.

Ms Bonney works as a graduate project officer at the Department of Communities.

“I feel blessed to be a part of Miss NAIDOC Perth as a finalist, and to be on this journey with the other amazing, intelligent and strong indigenous women,” she said.