Who would’ve thought a love of frozen yoghurt and drawing could pocket someone $10,000?
Tamborine Mountain local Molly McDonald has done exactly that after her colourful design was named one of the major winners in Yo-Chi’s, a self-serve frozen yoghurt shop, Colour Our Cup competition.
The 21-year-old was selected from thousands of entries submitted from across Australia, with her artwork earning a $10,000 prize.
Miss McDonald said she discovered the competition while scrolling through TikTok before heading to Harbour Town, where she picked up an entry form.
“I just saw it on TikTok, grabbed a piece of paper that night and brought it home,” she said.
A painter who also completes commissioned artworks, Miss McDonald entered the competition simply for the enjoyment of creating something new.
“I just wanted to draw and see what happened,” she said.
“I obviously knew about the prize money, so I thought I’d give it a go.”
Her design featured a nature-inspired scene while also promoting the importance of disposing of rubbish correctly.
“I think it’s really important, so I wanted to highlight that while making the whole scene feel nature-inspired,” she said.
After submitting her entry, Miss McDonald encouraged family and friends to vote and shared her design on TikTok, where it attracted thousands of likes.
“I was so surprised,” she said.
“I feel like I just got really lucky.”
The win was confirmed after Yo-Chi contacted her to arrange a phone call.
“They sent me a text asking if I was free for a call within the hour because they had some important news,” she said.
“Then they told me I’d won.”
Fresh from completing a Diploma of Graphic Design, Miss McDonald said the prize money would provide welcome financial security while she searched for work.
“I’m just saving it at the moment,” she said.
“I’ve got a pretty bad car, so it’ll probably go towards that.”
The recognition will also strengthen her professional portfolio as she pursues a career in graphic design, branding or illustration.
“This will definitely go in my portfolio,” she said.
“I’d love to do illustration and drawing, but graphic design and branding are areas I’d really like to work in as well.”
