The Sydney beauty who has won first prize ... to a war zone

HAVING come into the title of Miss Grand International by default last month, Sydney model Claire Parker is excited for the opportunities that the Thailand-based role has to offer. First stop Syria.

Claire Parker, Miss Grand International winner is headed to Syria to raise awareness in first world countries of the conflict over there. Picture: Dylan Robinson

HAVING come into the title of Miss Grand International by default last month, Sydney model Claire Parker is excited for the opportunities that the Thailand-based role has to offer. First stop Syria.

Back in Sydney for the first time after taking over the role, the 24-year-old model, who is Australia’s first international pageant winner since Jen Hawkins, told Confidential that the pageant’s aim to “Stop the war and violence” will see her visiting the Middle Eastern nation torn apart by ISIS.

Miss Grand International Claire Parker is our first international pageant winner since Jen Hawkins in 2004. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Parker from Oatlands was also a Miss Universe Finalist.

It’s about bringing awareness, particularly to first world countries, about the issues that are caused by war and violence in the Middle East and Africa. There’s a trip to Syria on the cards,” she explained.

As to whether she was nervous about visiting the nation besieged by the Islamic State and civil war, Parker was confident she wouldn’t suffer any problems.

“Obviously it’s going to be quite out of my comfort zone, but obviously they wouldn’t send me anywhere there was an immediate threat to my life. I’ll be cautious,” she said.

Tasha Ross and Parker at the Cleo Bachelor of the Year Party last year. Parker was made Miss Grand International after the original winner was stood down. Picture: Christian Gilles

While in the Middle Eastern nation, Parker will visit troops and orphanages, and provide aid.

“It’s about providing support to those who are effected by war and violence,” she said.

Parker took the reigns when the Dominican Republic’s Anea Garcia was stood down from the role for being “too demanding”, said she was not keen to disparage her predecessor.

“There were feelings of dissatisfaction from both parties. She was asking for things that she didn’t feel were being honoured, and they felt like she was asking for things outside of her contract,” she said of the controversy.