Whitsundays’ Paris Bedford to represent Queensland in Miss World national finals
After years of disappointing Covid-induced cancellations and postponements, a Whitsunday woman is representing Queensland in her last chance to make a bid for the glamorous Miss World crown.
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A self-confessed tomboy shocked her family and friends when she decided to sub in stilettos for her usual steel caps and footy boots.
Whitsunday Sea Eagles AFL player Paris Bedford will represent Queensland at the Miss World Australia competition on the Gold Coast at the end of April.
The competition, for eligible women aged 18 to 26 years old, will be the horticulturist’s last chance to get on the world stage after the competition was cancelled for the past three years.
Ms Bedford, now 28, will be one of the exceptions to the age rule as the international competition attempts to reconcile the Covid-wrought havoc.
“You’d get all hyped up for the competition, then it would be cancelled two weeks before,” Ms Bedford said.
She said prepping would include eating healthy, skin routines and of course “practise, practise, practise”.
“Practising your speech, that takes a big toll and walking in heels, that’s not easy,” the horticulturalist said.
But the competition is hardly just about looking good charity, talent and athletic components all able to be judged.
Ms Bedford raised $55,000 for Variety in a fundraising Gala in Airlie Beach in 2021, a fete she said she was incredibly grateful to her community for.
“We’re a tourism town and everyone was struggling through Covid,” she said.
“But businesses still donated and people still bought tickets to my event.
“I have a lot to give thanks for with this community.
“When you’re from a small town, everyone gets behind you.”
Despite her brilliance in stilettos, Ms Bedford still loves being in her footy boots and will be turning her athleticism to a ninja warrior course as part of the sports component of the competition.
“Last year, just before the state finals, I was playing a game of AFL and got tackled and slid about three metres,” she said with a laugh.
“My whole shoulder was grazed with grass stains and it got pretty scabby and gross.”
“I had a halter dress for the state finals, so I curled my hair to the side to cover it.”
Ms Bedford will go head-to-head with 24 other women to take the title of Miss Australia with the winner to progress to compete against the representatives of other countries for the Miss World crown.
Ms Bedford said she was extremely proud to represent the Whitsundays and give back to the wider community through her charity work.
“This is more than just a pageant,” Ms Bedford said.
“I’m changing lives.”
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