Mary-Anne Lowe, of Ringwood, is one of 12 contestants on the show, which first aired last Monday.

Mrs Lowe, the operator and wedding planner at Bram Leigh Receptions in Croydon, said she viewed the show as an opportunity to expand her skills in the business industry.

"I'm a big fan of the US and UK series and I've got a lot of business skills. I've had many businesses, so I felt that I had valid work experience that could get me a long way.

"The whole experience was a big eye-opener for me. I actually learnt a lot about myself and how I managed my team and how I manage my business.

"You're under the microscope so people see warts and all, whether you're good or bad. I did my best and that's all I could do.

"I mentioned I liked to be the boss. Certainly, in the first episode I did the hard work, but I like being the one who gives the orders and keeps in control.

"That's one thing I learnt about myself, that I don't have to be in control all the time. It's OK to let others be in control."

Mrs Lowe, a candidate in last year's Maroondah Council elections, said the constant presence of the cameras was daunting at first.

"In the first week, the cameras freak you out because they're just everywhere.

"But after the first week or two, you sort of get immune to it. There's lots of shots of me in bed, with no make-up on, hair's a mess, so it is reality.

"During the day, [the cameras] are with you all the time. We were quite lucky - once the challenge was over, they'd do maybe an hour or two, then they'd turn them off until the next day so there was a bit of down time."

Mrs Lowe, 30, said most of the contestants got along well during the series.

"The dynamics in the house were quite interesting because it was shared bedrooms. I was lucky that I shared with two people that were quiet.

"I'm very messy so I made a whole mess of the bedroom and they were quite tolerant.