Melbourne model and sports coach Moraya Wilson to take on the world after Miss Universe win
Melbourne model and Caulfield Grammar sports coach Moraya Wilson is ready to take on the world as Miss Universe Australia after being crowned on Friday night.
Fiona Byrne
Don't miss out on the headlines from Fiona Byrne. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Melbourne sports coach and model Moraya Wilson has been crowned Miss Universe Australia.
Wilson won the title at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins on Friday night at her first attempt at a pageant style competition.
The former downhill skier, who coaches sport at Caulfield Grammar, is a mental health advocate and is in the process of launching her own fashion label, said she would use the Miss Universe platform to encourage more kids to get active.
“Sport is a huge thing for me,” Wilson, who is a model with Vivien’s Models, said.
“I have been involved in sport my whole life and I think encouraging young girls and young boys to take part in sport is really important.
“You don’t have to be amazing to participate in sport, you can just do it to be part of it.
“The critical skills you develop through sport can be applied to other parts of your life.
“Self-discipline, resilience, teamwork, independence, and confidence I developed at a young age as part of being a competitive athlete.
“Being involved in sport is far more beneficial to so many aspects of your life, than just raising a sweat.”
With her partner, former St Kilda rookie Sam Alabakis – he was on the Saint’s list from 2018 to 2021 – supporting her in the crowd, Wilson nailed the tricky questions section in the Miss Universe Final.
Her first question was should the date of Australia Day be changed – for the record she believes it should – and her second question was what cause or issue do you most want to see change in and what can you do to make that difference.
Her answer was youth participation in sport.
She said seeing what past winners had achieved motivated her to sign up for Miss Universe.
“I had never thought about being part of Miss Universe Australia before but I had watched past winners and girls who had previously completed the program and done such incredible things with their careers and grown to be such inspiring women,” she said.
“I really wanted to do that, I really wanted to follow in their footsteps.”
Wilson will represent Australia in the Miss Universe international final in El Salvador in mid November.
‘Goodbye now’: Listen to 3AW’s Philip Brady announce his retirement
The beloved radio identity has hung up his microphone after more than 30 years at the station, saying “it’s time to move over and give the younger guys a go”. Listen to his announce his retirement.
‘A lot of people’s hero’: Sons tell of John Farnham’s fighting spirit
As John Farnham continues to heal after his battle with mouth cancer, his sons have revealed why the rock legend is “stubborn in all the right ways” and a hero to so many as he pushes forward.