So...
When one door closes another one opens. I have some idea of what is coming, but I don't want to share it with anyone until it happens.
I'm excited for the future and am only just beginning to discover how much I have learnt and grown through the past year. I know I have a lot more self-confidence in my ability to be independent, do what I want in my life and I have a better idea of what makes me unique; if that makes any sense.
I will continue to be involved in Miss World Australia as I believe in what it is about; young women of all shapes and sizes with different abilities and interests, standing up and being proud of their femininity, strength and power to help others in our world.
"Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Friday, August 6, 2010
MISS WORLD AUSTRALIA 2010!
Looking back over the 3 days of Miss World Australia...
The three days of Miss World Australia 2010, from Sunday 31 July - Tuesday 2 August, created a rollercoaster of emotions for me. It was a wonderful three days, however I went through happiness, excitement, sadness, insecurity, nervousness and everything else.
We arrived on Sunday morning in Newcastle, at the Grand Mecure Hotel and Apartments, owned by John Waterhouse, one of the business partners of Miss World Australia. The apartments are beautiful, and very spacious. My room was beautiful, with an ensuite, walk-in closet and king sized bed.
In the afternoon we went to the Lord Mayor's Reception Room to meet the Lord Mayor, John Tate and his lovely wife. I really enjoyed the event; I introduced all the girls and then we had afternoon tea and spoke with all the people there.
In the evening we all got dressed up and went to the top floor of the Grand Mecure for our etiquette dinner. It was great fun, and their was such a lovely community atmosphere amongst the group. We all headed off to bed to get some sleep before our second day.
The next day the girls had to get up early for the fitness judging. Instead of attending this, I went for a walk with the lovely judge from Canberra, Diana Ryan, along the water's edge. It was beautiful; the wind was strong but it was so refreshing.
Then in was time for the interviews; one of the most nerve-racking parts of the competition. One by one, the girls came into the room for their interview with all the judges. It was so interesting to find out more about each girl and their background. They are all so strong and what they have done in their lives is amazing. It truly made me love them all; they are an amazing group of very special girls.
After the interview judging we all got changed and met downstairs to go to the Manly Sea Eagles versus the Newcastle Knights game. We got into the Hummers (one of them was pink!) and pumped up the music and headed to the stadium. I had a great time. I loved that we were doing something different at the Miss World Australia Final. It was cold and windy but so much fun! We lined up on the field and some of us were interviewed and then we headed back to the hotel for dinner and to talk about the next day...
The next day began early. We packed our suitcases, jumped in the cars, and headed back to Sydney to the North Sydney Leagues Club.
Once there we set ourselves up in the change rooms and the hair competition began. The hair dressers did an amazing job with all of the girls and they all looked so beautiful.
We then had the swimsuit judging and talent judging. I love watching the talent judging as it shows what each girl loves, and how they are all so different and special. The afternoon went very quickly. Throughout the whole day I was feeling so up and down. I got agitated, and then sad and insecure about myself, then relaxed and then excited for the show.
While the girls were rehearsing the judges went to discuss everything. It was all so hard. It is so horrible there can only be one winner. The girls had all worked so hard and they were all so amazing I found it heart-breaking to help with the judging.
We all had dinner and then prepared for the show.
I was getting exciting. Once I had put my dress on, and done my hair and makeup I felt ready to go. The girls were so excited and I headed out to the auditorium to take my place at the judging table. The show started, and I looked behind me to where my mum and brother, Ollie and friend from Oasis, Asher were sitting along with my lovely little friend, Sophie Delizio and her family and I felt so happy. It was magical. I was surrounded by an audience full of new friends, old friends and my family. What more could a girl want. My wonderful year was finishing with an evening of family, friends and fun.
The show went by in a blur. One of my favourite moments was in the break when Laura (who was Miss Illawarra 2008) and I took Sophie Delizio and another beautiful girl Rosanna backstage to meet all the girls. All the Miss World girls and Sophie and Rosanna loved it, and it was very special to me.
It doesn't really matter what else I have accomplished this year, as long as I have been able to create a little bit of happiness in the lives of others. That's what's most important.
Then it was time for the awards and crowning. An extra congratulations to...
Chloe Sargent - Fitness Award
Mietta Gornall - Healthy Body Image Award
Claudia Vannithone - Communications Award
Bronya Fraser Hills - Social Skills and Etiquette Award
Ashleigh Francis - Poise and Presence Award
TJ Viney - Talent Award
Nina Cass - Beauty with a Purpose Award
Mietta Gornall - Dress designers Award
Mietta Gornall - Miss World Australia 2010 Runner up
and finally... Ashleigh Francis - MISS WORLD AUSTRALIA 2010
I know Ashleigh will be a wonderful Miss World Australia and I'm very excited for her. I know she will have a wonderful time at the International Miss World Competition and I'm there for her if she needs anything. In fact, I'm there for the girls if any of them ever need anything. I love them all!
The three days of Miss World Australia 2010, from Sunday 31 July - Tuesday 2 August, created a rollercoaster of emotions for me. It was a wonderful three days, however I went through happiness, excitement, sadness, insecurity, nervousness and everything else.
We arrived on Sunday morning in Newcastle, at the Grand Mecure Hotel and Apartments, owned by John Waterhouse, one of the business partners of Miss World Australia. The apartments are beautiful, and very spacious. My room was beautiful, with an ensuite, walk-in closet and king sized bed.
In the afternoon we went to the Lord Mayor's Reception Room to meet the Lord Mayor, John Tate and his lovely wife. I really enjoyed the event; I introduced all the girls and then we had afternoon tea and spoke with all the people there.
In the evening we all got dressed up and went to the top floor of the Grand Mecure for our etiquette dinner. It was great fun, and their was such a lovely community atmosphere amongst the group. We all headed off to bed to get some sleep before our second day.
The next day the girls had to get up early for the fitness judging. Instead of attending this, I went for a walk with the lovely judge from Canberra, Diana Ryan, along the water's edge. It was beautiful; the wind was strong but it was so refreshing.
Then in was time for the interviews; one of the most nerve-racking parts of the competition. One by one, the girls came into the room for their interview with all the judges. It was so interesting to find out more about each girl and their background. They are all so strong and what they have done in their lives is amazing. It truly made me love them all; they are an amazing group of very special girls.
After the interview judging we all got changed and met downstairs to go to the Manly Sea Eagles versus the Newcastle Knights game. We got into the Hummers (one of them was pink!) and pumped up the music and headed to the stadium. I had a great time. I loved that we were doing something different at the Miss World Australia Final. It was cold and windy but so much fun! We lined up on the field and some of us were interviewed and then we headed back to the hotel for dinner and to talk about the next day...
The next day began early. We packed our suitcases, jumped in the cars, and headed back to Sydney to the North Sydney Leagues Club.
Once there we set ourselves up in the change rooms and the hair competition began. The hair dressers did an amazing job with all of the girls and they all looked so beautiful.
We then had the swimsuit judging and talent judging. I love watching the talent judging as it shows what each girl loves, and how they are all so different and special. The afternoon went very quickly. Throughout the whole day I was feeling so up and down. I got agitated, and then sad and insecure about myself, then relaxed and then excited for the show.
While the girls were rehearsing the judges went to discuss everything. It was all so hard. It is so horrible there can only be one winner. The girls had all worked so hard and they were all so amazing I found it heart-breaking to help with the judging.
We all had dinner and then prepared for the show.
I was getting exciting. Once I had put my dress on, and done my hair and makeup I felt ready to go. The girls were so excited and I headed out to the auditorium to take my place at the judging table. The show started, and I looked behind me to where my mum and brother, Ollie and friend from Oasis, Asher were sitting along with my lovely little friend, Sophie Delizio and her family and I felt so happy. It was magical. I was surrounded by an audience full of new friends, old friends and my family. What more could a girl want. My wonderful year was finishing with an evening of family, friends and fun.
The show went by in a blur. One of my favourite moments was in the break when Laura (who was Miss Illawarra 2008) and I took Sophie Delizio and another beautiful girl Rosanna backstage to meet all the girls. All the Miss World girls and Sophie and Rosanna loved it, and it was very special to me.
It doesn't really matter what else I have accomplished this year, as long as I have been able to create a little bit of happiness in the lives of others. That's what's most important.
Then it was time for the awards and crowning. An extra congratulations to...
Chloe Sargent - Fitness Award
Mietta Gornall - Healthy Body Image Award
Claudia Vannithone - Communications Award
Bronya Fraser Hills - Social Skills and Etiquette Award
Ashleigh Francis - Poise and Presence Award
TJ Viney - Talent Award
Nina Cass - Beauty with a Purpose Award
Mietta Gornall - Dress designers Award
Mietta Gornall - Miss World Australia 2010 Runner up
and finally... Ashleigh Francis - MISS WORLD AUSTRALIA 2010
I know Ashleigh will be a wonderful Miss World Australia and I'm very excited for her. I know she will have a wonderful time at the International Miss World Competition and I'm there for her if she needs anything. In fact, I'm there for the girls if any of them ever need anything. I love them all!
The WORLD CUP
From June 6 - June 23, I was lucky enough to go to South Africa for the World Cup. One Miss World girl from each of the countries which had qualified was to be sent over as a representative.
It was great to be there without it being a competition... I had so much fun with the girls! My roommate was Miss England and she was absolutely crazy. We had the best time together; I spent the whole time laughing. We have kept in touch and will stay friends. I will definitely go and visit her!
My "group" of close friends consisted of, Miss Japan, Miss England, Miss Netherlands, Miss New Zealand and the current Miss World, Miss Gibraltar. That was the best thing about the trip, spending time with the girls. I cried when I left them. We had grown so close.
While there I went to the Australia versus Ghana game, Brazil versus Cote de Voire and USA versus Slovenia.
We also went to a home called the "Tebogo home for handicapped children". It was so sad to see these children who had been abandoned, with physical and mental disabilities without the proper care they deserved.
I took some beautiful photos while I was over there, and I'm devasted as I left my camera on the plane on the way home and after contacting lost property about 10 times it still hasn't appeared. So I have no photos to show! I could almost cry!
It was great to be there without it being a competition... I had so much fun with the girls! My roommate was Miss England and she was absolutely crazy. We had the best time together; I spent the whole time laughing. We have kept in touch and will stay friends. I will definitely go and visit her!
My "group" of close friends consisted of, Miss Japan, Miss England, Miss Netherlands, Miss New Zealand and the current Miss World, Miss Gibraltar. That was the best thing about the trip, spending time with the girls. I cried when I left them. We had grown so close.
While there I went to the Australia versus Ghana game, Brazil versus Cote de Voire and USA versus Slovenia.
We also went to a home called the "Tebogo home for handicapped children". It was so sad to see these children who had been abandoned, with physical and mental disabilities without the proper care they deserved.
I took some beautiful photos while I was over there, and I'm devasted as I left my camera on the plane on the way home and after contacting lost property about 10 times it still hasn't appeared. So I have no photos to show! I could almost cry!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Miss QLD
On Sunday, 30 May, Pauline, Joanne Melbourne and I met at Sydney airport bright and early (actually it was still dark) to catch a flight to Brisbane.
It was then time for a break. The girls could have a rest and have some lunch. Family and friends were allowed to attend the afternoon session of the judging at 2pm. Everyone entered, took their seats, and it was time to get on with it.
Good luck to Melanie and Leah at the Miss World Australia Final!!!
John (Waterhouse) picked us up from the airport and we drove to the Broncos Leagues Club where Miss World QLD was to be held that day.
The QLD finalists and judges began arriving at the venue, including... Erin Stanfield!!! The Miss World Australia Runner up from last year! I hadn't seen her since the final last year and it was sooooo good to catch up. She had just gotten back from a trip to America and had done lots of shopping (especially at Victoria Secret! hehe)
The judging began with interviews, similar to most of the other states.
Then it was time for fitness. Here are the girls giving it all they've got and then smiling once it's all over...
It was then time for a break. The girls could have a rest and have some lunch. Family and friends were allowed to attend the afternoon session of the judging at 2pm. Everyone entered, took their seats, and it was time to get on with it.
The girls did the swimwear/healthy body image parade, and then went backstage to get ready for their talents. We had some amazing talents; tap dancing, life-saving demonstration, whip cracking, jazz dancing. The variety was great!
Then came the awards and da da da dah... the crowning. Our runner up is Leah Freney. Here I am with her...
And here is Erin with our Miss World QLD 2010... Melanie Dawson.
Good luck to Melanie and Leah at the Miss World Australia Final!!!Here we all are after the judging...
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Miss World ACT
The Miss ACT 2010 Finalists
Claudia with her mum and sister, Gabrielle
Cheyanne, Claudia and me!
We have nearly collected all our
finalists for Miss World Australia 2010, and I can tell you, they are a very high quality bunch. It's going to be very difficult for our judges to pick a winner. I'm glad I'm not judging and I can just relax and help the girls out!
Miss ACT was held on Sunday 16 May at the Canberra Southern Cross Club. The girls arrived at 8:30am, nicely presented and ready for the judging and show. I was not a judge, I simply helped with the running of the event. After the morning judging, the girls went to have lunch and then rehearsals for the show.
Then we all went to get ready backstage for the show. Everyone was so excited. The audience would be having dinner and watching the show, so we wanted to make sure the evening went well.
Then came the moment of truth... "The Miss World ACT Runner Up is... Cheyanne O'Callaghan" and everyone cheered. And finally... "Miss World ACT 2010 is... Claudia Vannithone!"
Everyone cheered and yelled and clapped and hugged (especially all the Claudia fans in the audience). She was a very well-deserved winner. Both Cheyanne and Claudia will be going through to the Miss World Australia final and I wish them all the best.
Miss South Australia
Pauline and I left Sydney Airport bright and early on Saturday morning to travel to Adelaide. I'd never been to Adelaide before, so it was nice to visit somewhere new. We met Rian, the director of Miss Victoria and now also Miss South Australia, at the Adelaide airport and there was a car waiting for us to take us to the hotel.
The hotel was beautiful. It was new, spacious and beside the beach (always a plus in my book!). We had lunch and talked through the judging schedule and the show and made sure we were all on the same page. Then it was 3pm and we went to watch the Miss SA entrants rehearse the evening's show. One of my cousins, Emily, lives in Adelaide, so I had asked Pauline if I could catch up with her and she said this was fine. I left rehearsal and sat out in the sun and had a cup of tea with Em. It was nice to have a little break and enjoy some time with my cousin. Then it was back to work. I said goodbye to Em, and it was time for the judging. We held the interviews first, and the girls were all lovely and so excited to be there. We then judged healthy body image and talent.
After this, we left the girls to get ready, and we went to have dinner and talk through who would win awards and who would be runner up and Miss South Australia.
Pauline, Rian and I went up to our room to get dressed and once we were ready we made our way down to the function room. There were a lot of people there already; it was nice that there was a big crowd there to support the girls. The evening kicked off, and went smoothly, although the crowd tended to get a little rowdy at times.
Our Miss World South Australia Runner up is... Lucinda Nicholas and our Runner up is Yasmine Lindvelt. Congratulations to both of these girls. We will be seeing them at our national final in August!
I'm still waiting on photos from this event. They will be here soon, I promise!
The hotel was beautiful. It was new, spacious and beside the beach (always a plus in my book!). We had lunch and talked through the judging schedule and the show and made sure we were all on the same page. Then it was 3pm and we went to watch the Miss SA entrants rehearse the evening's show. One of my cousins, Emily, lives in Adelaide, so I had asked Pauline if I could catch up with her and she said this was fine. I left rehearsal and sat out in the sun and had a cup of tea with Em. It was nice to have a little break and enjoy some time with my cousin. Then it was back to work. I said goodbye to Em, and it was time for the judging. We held the interviews first, and the girls were all lovely and so excited to be there. We then judged healthy body image and talent.
After this, we left the girls to get ready, and we went to have dinner and talk through who would win awards and who would be runner up and Miss South Australia.
Pauline, Rian and I went up to our room to get dressed and once we were ready we made our way down to the function room. There were a lot of people there already; it was nice that there was a big crowd there to support the girls. The evening kicked off, and went smoothly, although the crowd tended to get a little rowdy at times.
Our Miss World South Australia Runner up is... Lucinda Nicholas and our Runner up is Yasmine Lindvelt. Congratulations to both of these girls. We will be seeing them at our national final in August!
I'm still waiting on photos from this event. They will be here soon, I promise!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Miss World ACT !!
ATTENTION! MISS WORLD ACT IS APPROACHING!!!
If you are looking for a night of fun, food and great celebration then this is for you. The Miss World ACT 2010 Competition is on Sunday 16 May. This is the first time there has ever been a Miss ACT and I’m so excited! The group of entrants have been working hard at perfecting their skills, and rehearsing their routines for the show.
I still have to sort out what I’m going to wear as all my family, friends and half of Canberra will be there to watch! If you would like to come and be part of this exciting event, please see the invitation…
Invitation here.. http://www.missworldaustralia.com.au/
If you are looking for a night of fun, food and great celebration then this is for you. The Miss World ACT 2010 Competition is on Sunday 16 May. This is the first time there has ever been a Miss ACT and I’m so excited! The group of entrants have been working hard at perfecting their skills, and rehearsing their routines for the show.
I still have to sort out what I’m going to wear as all my family, friends and half of Canberra will be there to watch! If you would like to come and be part of this exciting event, please see the invitation…
Invitation here.. http://www.missworldaustralia.com.au/
Technica TV ad in Wollongong
Technica TV ad in Wollongong:
The fabulous Felice from Technica Hair and Beauty, our Miss World Australia sponsor, had organised for us to shoot a TV ad at one of his salons in Dapto. It was sooooo much fun! I had learnt my script in the weeks leading up to the day, so I felt confident that it would go smoothly. The beautiful Adriana, Felice’s sister, did my makeup, and Mario (otherwise known as “Miss World”) did my hair. It was fun to be fussed over!
Then we began shooting the ad. The camera crew were great; they were relaxed and fun and are going to give me a copy of all the footage so I can laugh at the “bloopers”. There weren’t too many, but sometimes Mario made me laugh by what he was saying in the background!
Here I am with the hair dressers who work in the salon (I look like a giant), then preparing for filming, then with Adriana and then with some little girls who were in the mall.
The fabulous Felice from Technica Hair and Beauty, our Miss World Australia sponsor, had organised for us to shoot a TV ad at one of his salons in Dapto. It was sooooo much fun! I had learnt my script in the weeks leading up to the day, so I felt confident that it would go smoothly. The beautiful Adriana, Felice’s sister, did my makeup, and Mario (otherwise known as “Miss World”) did my hair. It was fun to be fussed over!
Then we began shooting the ad. The camera crew were great; they were relaxed and fun and are going to give me a copy of all the footage so I can laugh at the “bloopers”. There weren’t too many, but sometimes Mario made me laugh by what he was saying in the background!
Here I am with the hair dressers who work in the salon (I look like a giant), then preparing for filming, then with Adriana and then with some little girls who were in the mall.
Camden Golf
Day in Camden sponsored by Laminex for Variety Golf:
Just so everyone knows, golf has never been my strongest suit. I tend to come last even when playing putt-putt golf. So I kind of skipped the golf playing and just joined in when everyone was arriving back at the clubhouse and I could steal a golf buggy and go for a ride. (Almost crashed into a tree – thank goodness I didn’t!)
After my little drive around the field, oh, excuse me, “course”, it was time for lunch. My good friend Jack Cannons from Variety was there to give a presentation and it was great to catch up with him. I really enjoyed the day. Everyone was in good spirits and there for a great cause and we raised over $60,000 on the day. I love it when people give generously to those in need. It reminds you there are lots of lovely people in the world. Here I am with Geoff Ogilvy, champion Australian golfer. (He needs to work on his posing a little, however.)
Just so everyone knows, golf has never been my strongest suit. I tend to come last even when playing putt-putt golf. So I kind of skipped the golf playing and just joined in when everyone was arriving back at the clubhouse and I could steal a golf buggy and go for a ride. (Almost crashed into a tree – thank goodness I didn’t!)
After my little drive around the field, oh, excuse me, “course”, it was time for lunch. My good friend Jack Cannons from Variety was there to give a presentation and it was great to catch up with him. I really enjoyed the day. Everyone was in good spirits and there for a great cause and we raised over $60,000 on the day. I love it when people give generously to those in need. It reminds you there are lots of lovely people in the world. Here I am with Geoff Ogilvy, champion Australian golfer. (He needs to work on his posing a little, however.)
Miss NSW Finals
The fabulous Miss World NSW Weekend
The weekend of Miss World NSW was exciting, fun and beautiful all rolled into one. It felt strange for me however. I remembered my experience last year, with all “my” girls. Ann Maree, Kim, Michelle, Kaela, Sonia, Alexis…. the list goes on and on. I remember being very nervous before giving my speech; afraid I would forget it, and I was shaking like a leaf. I remember speaking to the Daily Telegraph about the lead up to Miss NSW and how much I had learned and how much confidence I had gained in my own ability to help others in my community.
On the Saturday the girls were taken through a short interview process, then a fitness assessment, then finishing in the afternoon with the talent section. The variety of talents was great. We had artists, dancers, singers, surf-boaters, make-up artists and more.
On the Sunday the girls rehearsed in the morning with Lisa Holt, the choreographer, and then time seemed to speed up and then we all had to hurry to get ready! The girls stood side stage in their bikinis, nervously and excitedly running through the dance routines. I stood a little away from them in my evening gown, smiled at their excitement, and thought back to when I was in their position. I loved it. I made so many great friends who I still keep in contact with.
It was an amazing learning experience for me to be on the other “side” of the competition. To speak on stage about my experience and to stand there at the microphone and describe the girls dresses as they walked down the stage. I felt so proud of them! They all looked so beautiful and the atmosphere was dream-like. Each girl had her moment to shine in front of her family and friends.
Standing on stage as Pauline called out the runner-up and Miss World NSW 2010, I felt nervous! It’s hard to pick two girls, as they are all so deserving and unique! In the end the lovely Maxine was awarded runner-up and the elegant and eloquent Bronya was crowned Miss World NSW 2010. She is a very deserving winner and extremely humble, which I think is very endearing. I wish her and Maxine well in their journey towards the national competition on June 23rd.
Here are some photos from the weekend…
The weekend of Miss World NSW was exciting, fun and beautiful all rolled into one. It felt strange for me however. I remembered my experience last year, with all “my” girls. Ann Maree, Kim, Michelle, Kaela, Sonia, Alexis…. the list goes on and on. I remember being very nervous before giving my speech; afraid I would forget it, and I was shaking like a leaf. I remember speaking to the Daily Telegraph about the lead up to Miss NSW and how much I had learned and how much confidence I had gained in my own ability to help others in my community.
On the Saturday the girls were taken through a short interview process, then a fitness assessment, then finishing in the afternoon with the talent section. The variety of talents was great. We had artists, dancers, singers, surf-boaters, make-up artists and more.
On the Sunday the girls rehearsed in the morning with Lisa Holt, the choreographer, and then time seemed to speed up and then we all had to hurry to get ready! The girls stood side stage in their bikinis, nervously and excitedly running through the dance routines. I stood a little away from them in my evening gown, smiled at their excitement, and thought back to when I was in their position. I loved it. I made so many great friends who I still keep in contact with.
It was an amazing learning experience for me to be on the other “side” of the competition. To speak on stage about my experience and to stand there at the microphone and describe the girls dresses as they walked down the stage. I felt so proud of them! They all looked so beautiful and the atmosphere was dream-like. Each girl had her moment to shine in front of her family and friends.
Standing on stage as Pauline called out the runner-up and Miss World NSW 2010, I felt nervous! It’s hard to pick two girls, as they are all so deserving and unique! In the end the lovely Maxine was awarded runner-up and the elegant and eloquent Bronya was crowned Miss World NSW 2010. She is a very deserving winner and extremely humble, which I think is very endearing. I wish her and Maxine well in their journey towards the national competition on June 23rd.
Here are some photos from the weekend…
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