When Wyndham Vale’s Laura Bradley takes to the stage at Melbourne’s Miss World Australia Victorian finals this Sunday, she won’t just be trying to win a beauty contest – she will be trying to help local charities.
The 23-year-old dental nurse dreams of winning the Miss World title so she can use it to boost her charity work.
“What attracted me to Miss World is that it is involved in charity. It drew me in. It’s all about beauty as a cause,” she said.
“I went to Thailand where I worked in an orphanage, and when I was living in Darwin, I volunteered at an Aboriginal camp in the Kakadu National Park, which was really special. I volunteer with the Salvation Army. I really enjoy doing things like that and would love to be able to do more to help people.
“I would love to use the Miss World title to help a charity. People are more generous when you have the support of a program like Miss World.”
On Sunday, Ms Bradley will compete against 20 other contestants who made it through preliminary interviews to become Victorian finalists.
They will compete in three categories – swimwear, fashion wear and evening gowns – and be asked questions so the judges can determine whether they have what it takes to represent Victoria at the Miss World Australia national finals.
Ms Bradley said she loved competing in pageants because they allowed her to meet other girls with similar interests.
“All the girls encourage each other, which is really lovely,” she said. “Taking part in the pageants boosts your own confidence. It makes you feel empowered.”
