By ALANA MITCHELSON
A CARDINIA Lakes beauty pageant contestant will fight for a wildcard place in the Miss World Australia national final.
Having failed to place at the preliminary contest on 26 to 27 February in Geelong, Kayleigh Graffin hopes to impress the judges with her fundraising campaign for Variety.
The 18-year-old plans to hold local events in the coming months, including a high tea, to raise money for the children’s charity which aims to enable disadvantaged, disabled and sick children to overcome obstacles in their lives.
Miss World events co-ordinator Jen Reynoldson said contestants are judged on their personality and runway performance.
“Personality is defined through their introduction and the Q&A section which is revolved around current affair issues,” Ms Reynoldson said.
“There are four preliminary stages in Victoria from which the state finalists are chosen. There will be 30 women chosen to compete in the state final later this year.
“With the organisation coming under new directorship by long-term influencer in the industry – Deborah Miller – change is in the air.
As an all-time first for Miss World Australia there will be a wildcard entrant to the national final for 2016.
“Charity work is integral to the Miss World ethos and part of the brief to contenders in each country is that they volunteer their time and fundraise for charity.
“Kayleigh is excited to begin her beauty with a purpose journey and work alongside Miss World Australia and its chosen charity – Variety the Children’s Charity.”
The national final will be held at Crown Towers, Melbourne, at the end of July. The winner of the Miss World pageant will spend her 12-month reign travelling to represent the Miss World Organisation and its various causes, attending media appearances and appearing in campaigns.
Ms Graffin was born in Ireland and has lived in Pakenham for the past eight years.
She said her involvement in Miss World Australia, her first pageant event, has helped her confidence.
“I’ve always been quite shy and it’s helped me step out of my shell a bit,” Ms Graffin said.
“It was a bit scary at first. Being my first pageant, it felt like a whole new world. But it’s been great fun and a huge learning experience.”
Having completed high school at the end of last year, the 18-year-old has received an offer to study a bachelor degree in psychology and law.
She hopes to pursue a career in the police force or rehabilitation industry.
Ms Graffin said those wishing to donate to her cause can visit missworldaustralia2016.everydayhero.com/au/kayleigh.
