Nursery worker Paris Bedford to compete for Miss World Australia crown

The Plants Whitsunday maintenance manager has made it through to the national finals in her first time competing in a beauty pageant.

A Whitsundays nursery worker is hanging up the high-vis for a week of high glamour on the Gold Coast as she competes for the crown of Miss World Australia.

In her first foray into the world of beauty pageants, Jubilee Pocket's Paris Bedford has made it through to the national finals, after success in two rounds of competition held in Brisbane last year and earlier this year.

Checking into the luxurious Palazzo Versace as one of 30 national finalists, in the lead up to the crowning ceremony on July 9, will be quite the departure from Ms Bedford's usual daily routine.

The self-described tomboy is more accustomed to lawn-mowing and maintenance jobs than strutting her stuff on a catwalk.

But, early last year, the 27 year old decided to give pageants a go, and has not looked back since, embracing the new world opening up before her, and the unique challenges it presents.

"It's always been something I've wanted to do, but I've never lived anywhere where I've had the opportunity - I've always been in small towns," Ms Bedford said.

"I got into modelling two years ago, at the age of 25, just thinking 'what's the worst that could happen?' and I've loved it ever since.

"Then I applied for Miss World not thinking much of it, but I got through the first round, then the second, and now I'm in the finals, in my first pageant."

With the countdown on to the national competition week, Ms Bedford's preparations are in full swing.

More than a 'best looking' competition, Miss World incentivises its contestants to engage in fundraising activities to donate significant amounts to help disadvantaged children through Variety Australia.

For Ms Bedford, this has involved organising numerous Bunnings sausage sizzles, market stalls, an online campaign, a raffle, and an upcoming auction night at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

She has already raised more than $20,000, with a target of $50,000 by July.

Of course, presentation skills are a factor, so Ms Bedford is looking after her skin and hair, and attending monthly deportment classes, where she practises everything from good posture to public speaking skills.

But you will not find her doing any gruelling gym workouts or crash diets to get the edge over her competitors - she prefers to keep fit running around the footy field with her Whitsunday Sea Eagles teammates.

"There's no swimwear in Miss World, the main component of the judging is really more about how well you hold yourself and answer questions," she explained.

"We need to prepare a speech to introduce ourselves, and also answer questions that get pulled out of a hat.

"It's pretty intimidating, you have to answer within 30 seconds and try not to have any 'ums' or 'has' - so I've been doing a lot of Googling of some of the questions that might come up!"

Paris, second from left, with her fellow Queensland Miss World state finalists. Picture: Supplied.

Thrilled with her success so far, Ms Bedford regards anything further as a bonus.

This year's competition is however, her only chance to win the Miss World crown, as she will no longer qualify under the age limit next year.

"It will probably be my first and last pageant - I'd love to do Miss Universe but that has an age cut off as well," she said.

"It's such an honour to make it this far.

"All along, my ultimate goal was to make the state finals, so anything more would be incredible."

As for whether pageants themselves have had their day, Ms Bedford said the life skills they could teach were timeless.

"I think a lot of people who have a negative view of pageants just don't know much about them," she said.

"People think you just walk around in a bikini and it's all ditzy but it's really not.

"The dresses and the hair and makeup - it is all fun but there's a lot more to it than looking pretty.

"It's definitely helped my confidence, learning to speak to a room full of people I don't know, and answering questions on the spot when you might not know the answer."

To support Paris, go to her fundraising page, buy a raffle ticket, or register for her Sunset Cocktail Charity event, coming up on June 12.

 

Originally published as Whitsundays Miss World finalist swaps boots for stilettos