Name: Bianca Dye
Age: 34
Occupation: Breakfast radio announcer - TV presenter/author

She describes herself as mental, over the top and annoying! Always the one to say inappropriate things and crack everyone up (she hopes!). Generous, compassionate, loves life. She is passionate about whatever she does. Her babies are her puppies, Bella and Calvin. She has a love of writing and hopes to write her next book soon. Her family are everything - a nan on the Gold Coast, mum who teaches English, a rocker dad (her parents split when she was 3), a sister (19) and brother (16). She lives by the credence that sometimes life may get a little hard but you have to SMILE and think tomorrow is a brand new day and things will get better.

Who was your role model/s when you were a teen?
My mum - she was a single mum and she rocked. My dad was a role model too - he is very passionate and gutsy about life and showbiz. He taught me to be ballsy and take no prisoners and that life will deal you crap and ya gotta get up, dust yourself off and get over it! Sometimes you even have to start again - and that's ok! 'Cos that makes you stronger!

Mum got me into the arts - I loved plays and movies and we did a lot of that when I spent weekends with her. She was so much fun, taking me to Luna Park and Maccas - I loved that ! Mum and my nana got me passionate about reading and performing, which led me to what I'm doing now!

I also loved Oprah and Kerry-Anne Kennerley. I basically looked up to any ballsy women - women who were strong and didn't put up with crap!!

How did your role model/s help you?
See above!

What role or influence do you think role models have?
Our role models have a huge influence on who we become. It's really important that the people who are around young minds are supporting them and helping them to believe in themselves enough to have the guts to take risks and that someone is there teaching them that its important to FIRST, be a good person. If you don't have that rock in your life things can feel lonely. You need people who you can be honest with no matter the situation - no matter the outcome - you need a "safe place " where you can be YOU!

What were some of the issues you faced as a teen?
I ran away from home at 15 'cos I really didn't get along with my step mum at all. We clashed big time. We had a huge fight one day when she was pregnant. I slapped her, she slapped me back and my dad came home and found out and he walloped me. I ran away to my mate's place (sure it was only a day!) but my family lost it at me. I ended up leaving Dad and Jan (my step mum), getting on a bus and moving to Melbourne to finish High School.

I lived with my mum in Melbourne and that was hard at first 'cos I had never lived with mum. Dad had custody of me when they split up. They fought a lot when I was young and a lot of the time dad told me it was my fault, which hurt a lot! You can imagine a young little girl thinking she is the reason for her mummy and daddy fighting can really mess with your head! So, I'm sure I still have some f'ed up issues with all that….

I have forgiven him though - you have to..or you go crazy! Hey, I worked my ass off to prove to them I could do it and I ended up duxing my high school!!! If I can do it ANYONE can, trust me! I aint smart!!!!

How did you overcome these issues?
I did a lot of drama and writing to take my mind off stuff and it ended up helping me now! I still want to do acting - I got into radio 'cos I love to talk and I'm cheeky but it was kinda by accident! I also spent a lot of time with my mates - I forged good close friendships so I didn't have to rely on my family. It's funny how things work out 'cos now I'm best mates with my step mum - although dad and I still have a strained relationship sometimes, which makes me sad…. But he ain't gonna change so I live with it

What do you remember most about being a teen?
Being expelled from school for drawing a vagina and tits on my uniform and running through the halls of my high school! My dad had to ring the principal and talk to him for an hour to get me back in! I got a walloping. I also got dobbed on by someone at school on the ONE DAY I wagged school- they RANG MY HOUSE and told my dad and then hung up!! He came in while I was having a shower, dragged me out by the hair and walloped me for that. I never wagged school again and I never found out who dobbed on me! Bastards!

What qualities do you think you possess have helped you succeed in your chosen field?

• thick skinned
• bubbly
• ambitious as hell
• I don't give up
• I have no shame! (LOL!!)
• I'm good with people and I'm a good story teller
• I"ve been told I have a great voice ( I think I sound like a drag queen!)

Outside of career success, what is it that you are most proud of?
That I'm becoming a nicer person as I get older ( I'm also trying to learn to meditate!) .I love that I love to help people out anyway I can - babysit a friend's baby so she can have a night out, buy a gift for someone I hardly know to cheer them up. I do a lot of charity work - I LOVE to make people smile so whatever I can do. I'm very generous… when I have $ I always spend it on my family or friends - life's too short! I LOVE surprising people! I've thrown surprise parties for nearly ALL my friends and family over the years. I love the look on their faces when we yell "surprise"!!! hehehe

I'm proud of the people that my brother Ben and sister Alex have grown into - they are wonderful people and they are going to make a difference in this world! They are beautiful people and I'm lucky to have them in my life !

Do you undertake activities to help others/community?
Oh, where do I start?! RSPCA - why not donate your TIME - that's so valuable! Volunteer to walk the dogs that are stuck in those cages all day?! Or to collect blankets for the dogs and cats so that they have something warm to sit on ( I LOVE animals!!!!). I do stuff with Make A Wish, Youth off the Streets and I'm an ambassador for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. I lost my aunty to breast cancer 11 years ago so I do what I can for them! I MC a lot of charity functions ( usually one a month) and it makes me feel sooo good to do that J)

Your advice to youths about realising their own potential...
Whatever you THINK - you ARE - so have an AFFIRMATION THAT IS YOURS: like " I'M UNREAL and I'M GETTING BETTER EVERYDAY AND I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT IF I TRY". Just an example.

Only surround yourself with WINNERS - don't hang out with people who put you down or people or gangs that make you feel like shit, or convince you it's OK to hurt others - its NOT OK! Bullying is for COWARDS! Be strong. DRUGS ARE NOT COOL! They will ruin your life! Trust me - I KNOW! Don't ask how - I just DO! Keep AWAAY from them - get passionate about a HOBBY! Get hiking, bike riding, making stuff, helping out at home etc etc …get BUSY!!

When it comes to how you live your life, what are the most important factors/values?
Well, they have changed a lot 'cos now I smell the roses - I ENJOY LIFE!! I like to LIVE every DAY! Who knows what could happen tomorrow !??! YOU are not what you "DO"….. Don't get caught up with WHAT you do but focus instead on WHO YOU ARE. I like to be a good person - I don't always succeed!? Sometimes I'm a selfish, spoilt, rude obnoxious cow, but not very often!! Now I love life! LAUGHTER is very important.. I love to laugh! I see a lot of comedies - that's essential !

Why do you think you make a good role model?
Cos I'm real. I tell it like it is. I won't bullshit to you but I'll be here for you if you need a nice word or some words of encouragement! I already do that for my little friend "Eggy". Her and I have a special friendship - I'm here for her and she knows that! Wanna say hi??? Biancadye@gmail.com Can't say I'll email back everyone all the time 'cos I'm busy but I'll try!

Love & laughter & farts!!
BEE xxxxxxxxxx