Bomber belle having a ball
All dressed up and somewhere to go. Leongatha's Kate Turner will attend this year's AFL Brownlow Medal with boyfriend, Dyson Heppell.
ON KATE Turner’s to-do-list are things typical of any 18-year old girl; study for VCE exams, graduate high school, go to Schoolies and get into university.
One item however, stands out from the rest – pick a dress for the Brownlow Medal.
The Year 12 Newhaven College student will be living the dream of thousands of young Australian girls when she walks up the red carpet on the AFL’s night of glitz and glamour in Melbourne next Monday.
The Leongatha girl is attending the event with boyfriend of almost two years, Essendon player Dyson Heppell.
Although dating an AFL footballer, Kate admits she never thought she’d be going to the Brownlow.
“I knew Dyson was really good, but I never really expected that he would get an invite, especially in his first year,” she said.
“Everyone said I’d be going and I thought it would be pretty fun, but I never dreamt about it or anything.”
Two weeks ago however, Dyson was awarded the NAB Rising Star Award for 2011 and almost instantly, Kate was flooded with dress options for the big event.
“We found out he was invited when he got the Rising Star Award; that was the Wednesday and on Thursday, the Essendon media manager Cara Pelchen had sent me all these links for dresses. She’s pretty organised!” she said.
Kate will be wearing an evening gown by Australian designer Rachel Gilbert, whose dresses have been worn by celebrities such as Blake Lively of Gossip Girl fame and singer songwriter Taylor Swift.
With the event only a week away, Kate has narrowed her options down to three dresses: a pale yellow design, a cream gown or a black sequinned number.
“I’ve been looking at their spring and summer collections, but they wanted me to wear something from their 2012 Cruise Collection because it’s their newer line,” she said.
“Everything is really nice and I’m happy to be in any of them.”
Hair, make-up and don’t forget the dress: Kate (right) and her twin sister Alex, who said she’s excited that her sister will be attending the Brownlow.
Kate has also had numerous offers and suggestions for hair and make-up artists from both Cara and girlfriends of Dyson’s teammates.
Walking down the red carpet will obviously be a daunting experience for the Leongatha girl, who admits she’s “freaking out a little bit” about the whole ordeal.
“Everyone’s been telling me to get heels I can actually walk in and all my friends are getting together on the night to watch the TV coverage and have told me if I stuff up at all, I’m going to cop it!” she said.
“I’m more excited than nervous though; it will be a big night, but I should be right.”
Kate said she doesn’t feel like a celebrity and is likely to be star struck by AFL stars at the Brownlow.
“It would be pretty cool to meet Chris Judd because I’m a Carlton girl,” she said.
Having grown up barracking for the Blues, you have to ask what one does when their boyfriend plays for Essendon.
Kate said she’s had her loyalties tested, especially at the first elimination final between the two teams.
“I was actually neutral; I didn’t wear either scarf and cheered every single goal!” Kate laughed.
”I couldn’t betray the Blues and be disappointed with Essendon’s loss.”
High profile events may have to become the norm for the stunning brunette, who is also attending Essendon’s Best and Fairest at the beginning of October, which Dyson is a favourite to win.
“I think he’ll go pretty well. There’s a lot of talk about him winning it. I don’t know if he’ll win it, but I think he’ll definitely be up there because he’s had such an amazing season,” Kate said.
While dating a footballer can have its perks, Kate said she’s happy to “slip under the radar” at the Brownlow and isn’t a fan of being labelled a WAG.
“I hate it! I cop it at school from the girls all the time,” she said.
“I guess everyone gets it so I can’t really complain, but I’m not a fan of it at all.”
Kate however admits she’s already been recognised in public, with a footy fan asking her for a photo at the Carlton and Essendon game.
She said although that doesn’t normally happen, Dyson has obviously become quite the celebrity in the footy world.
“He’s handled it so well; if that was me I’d be freaking out,” Kate said.
“There’s so much pressure on him, but he doesn’t listen to any of it. He’s the most cruisy person I know so he just does what he needs to do and doesn’t worry about anything else.”
It has certainly been a big year for the couple, with Kate travelling to Melbourne most weekends to see Dyson play, which she describes as being “pretty full-on”.
“It’s good. It’s really the only way I get to see him,” she said.
“But I’m hoping to go straight into uni next year and move down in February. I want to get into health science at Deakin, so I’ll just have to wait and see how I go.”
Be sure to keep an eye out for Kate and Dyson on the red carpet during the Brownlow Medal coverage next Monday night.
Short URL: /?p=1758
Posted by 
