25-Year-Old Sandie Callahan is set to shine on the global stage as Miss Scuba Australia 2024

A 25-year-old diving enthusiast from Cairns, has been crowned Miss Scuba Australia and is preparing for a four-week trip to Malaysia for the international pageant.

A 25-year-old diving enthusiast from Far North Queensland, who works as a snorkeling guide for a family-owned tour company on the Great Barrier Reef, has won this year’s prestigious title of Miss Scuba Australia. Picture: Sadie Callahan.

A 25-year-old diving enthusiast from Cairns has emerged victorious over many hopefuls and is now preparing for a four-week trip to Malaysia after being crowned Miss Scuba Australia.

Each year, numerous women nationwide apply for the title of Miss Scuba Wanderlust, with only the top 10 contestants competing for the Miss Scuba Australia crown.

One winner will then represent Australia at the international pageant in Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, which is known as the gateway to beautiful islands and marine parks.

Winner of the 2024 pageant, Sandie Callahan, said she was “thrilled” to be representing her country and her home region.

“I was super stoked when I found out, they called me and congratulated me, telling me I was Miss Scuba Australia and that I’d be going to Malaysia for about four weeks,” she said.

“It’s a great opportunity, I’m looking forward to bringing back what I learn and being apart of ongoing coral restoration programs here in Cairns”.

Sandie Callahan has been crowned Miss Scuba Australia 2024, she now heads to Malaysia to compete at the International Miss Scuba pageant. Picture: BLUECLICK PHOTOGRAPHY

The self-described “ocean lover” won the title after a series of competitive interview and pageant rounds on the Gold Coast this year and will fly to Kota Kinabalu in November.

“We will be doing things like dive and beach clean-ups, advocating for safe diving practices,” Ms Callahan said.

“I’ll also be doing a coral restoration course over there, which I’m super duper excited about.”

The 25-year-old said what’s truly “great” about this beauty competition was its focus not only on traditional beauty, but also on emphasising marine conservation and raising environmental awareness on a global scale.

A 25-year-old diving enthusiast from Far North Queensland, who works as a snorkelling guide for a family-owned tour company on the Great Barrier Reef, has won this year’s prestigious title of Miss Scuba Australia. Picture: Sandie Callahan.

Having grown up by the beach in both Queensland and also along the NSW coast, Ms Callahan said there’s “probably more saltwater than blood” in her veins.

“My parents instilled in me a profound respect and love for the ocean, teaching me not to fear it,” she said.

The beauty queen has always been “fascinated” by the ocean from a young age, and “felt drawn” to it, especially after seeing her mum, Sally Callahan’s, own passion for diving.

“Mum used to work up here in Cairns on the Quicksilver dives in like the 80s / 90s and she’d always tell amazing stories,” Ms Callahan said.

A full circle moment for her was when she took her mum, Sally, out on the reef for a recent snorkel tour she was guiding.

“She’s hadn’t seen the reef in ages and she was just stoked for me, my family have always been supportive like that,” she said.

Sandie Callahan said its commitment to creating a positive impact through the platform of this pageant is what sets it apart from traditional beauty contests Picture: Sadie Callahan.

Her love for the ocean has inspired her to teach others about the fascinating creatures beneath the surface, whether it’s guiding swimmers to explore the vibrant marine life on the reef or volunteering and advocating for it’s protection.

“While I wouldn’t call myself a coral nerd just yet, because I haven’t officially studied it, I would like to look into getting my marine biology degree at some stage,” Ms Callahan said.

Sandie Callahan, far right, said she lives by “Do good, receive good. My life is guided by the principles of kind words, kind thoughts and kind deeds”. Picture: Sadie Callahan.

Sandie Callahan, a strong believer in “karma”, is eager to connect with fellow international contestants while engaging in “ inspirational activities” during the pageant to make a positive impact on the environment. Picture: Sadie Callahan.

Spending her days working on-board a superyacht for the family-owned tour company, “Evolution”, as a snorkelling guide on the Great Barrier Reef has become an “obsession” for the 25-year-old.

“Sometimes I will take a person out who has never been on the water before and they are mesmerised by the reef,” she said.

As Ms Callahan gets ready to compete in the international pageant, she said she wants to educate the world that the reef “isn’t dead, it’s just sick”.

“The Great Barrier Reef is in our backyard and when I reach the international stage I want to get across that the reef is not dead in some sections, it’s just a little bit sick,” she said.

“And it needs our help to recover.”

Originally published as 25-Year-Old Sandie Callahan is set to shine on the global stage as Miss Scuba Australia 2024