Why kindness makes the world go round for SA Miss Universe contestant Lauren Walker

A woman who grew up on a sheep farm in SA’s South-East has been named Miss Congeniality at this year’s Miss Universe Australia contest.

Miss Universe Australia 2023 contestant and Miss Congeniality Lauren Walker. Picture: Jarrad Seng/Miss Universe Australia

Move over Sandra Bullock – our new Miss Congeniality is a midwife, co-director of a horse training business and fashion designer who grew up on a sheep farm in South Australia’s South-East.

Lauren Walker was named Miss Congeniality – voted for by her fellow finalists – at the Miss Universe Australia contest this month.

Miss Universe Australia 2023 contestant Lauren Walker. Picture: Jarrad Seng/Supplied/Miss Universe Australia

Miss Universe Australia 2023 Miss Congeniality Lauren Walker. Picture: @_laurenwalker

“It was really important to me that I was true to myself, and I was trying to make genuine connections with these women,” she said.

Originally from the tiny SA town of Furner, near Beachport, Ms Walker moved to Nar Nar Goon in Gippsland, Victoria, three years ago after meeting her partner Mitchell Leek, with whom she now helps run MJL Racing.

That’s after the 26-year-old drives back and forth to Melbourne to work three 12-hour night shifts as a midwife, specialising in antenatal and post-natal care, each week.

“The days I’m not working, I’m out helping Mitch on the farm – literally scooping horse boxes, shovelling the poop.”

Miss Universe Australia 2023 contestant Lauren Walker is a midwife who also runs a horse racing stable with her partner Mitchell Leek. Picture: Supplied/Lauren Walker

Miss Universe Australia 2023 contestant Lauren Walker on the farm. Picture: @_laurenwalker

After a trip to Vietnam, Miss Universe Australia finalists had to vote for the “most friendly, agreeable, nicest and most likeable” person, who they felt also embodied the overall contest’s principles.

Ms Walker said it was “such an honour” to be chosen by her fellow contestants.

If that’s not enough, she is also designing her own sustainable luxury swimwear line, aimed to launch in mid-2024.

“Fashion is something I always wanted to do … I like to take a few risks and push a few boundaries,” she said.

“Swimwear is where I see my niche fitting … everything I find on the market is very minimalist.

“I’m the opposite: I want ruffles, I want beads, I want something that’s really sparkly that I can also wear out to the bar.”

Miss Universe Australia 2023 contestant Lauren Walker. Picture: @_laurenwalker

Miss Universe Australia 2023 contestant and Miss Congeniality Lauren Walker. Picture: @_laurenwalker

Walker and Leek also take in rescue animals at their farm, including a brumby foal, a white donkey, a camel and even an emu.

“It’s a bit of a zoo … I can’t help but fall in love, and they become your babies.”

Ms Walker said she entered Miss Universe Australia to show young people that they have the potential to make their dreams a reality.

“Coming from a small country town, or whatever your background is, if you believe you can achieve something, why not take the risk and go out and do it?”