Territory beauty Magnolia Maymuru wows at Miss World Australia pageant

THE Northern Territory’s first Miss World Australia contestant placed in the top 10 at the championships on Friday night

Territorian Magnolia Maymuru walks the runway during the Miss World Australia 2016 National Final at Crown Palladium. PICTURE: Getty Images

THE Northern Territory’s first Miss World Australia contestant placed in the top 10 at the championships on Friday night.

Magnolia Maymuru was also the pageant’s first indigenous woman to be featured, and, despite not taking out the title, has been one of the most talked about contestants this year, for challenging the ideals of beauty.

Ms Maymuru grew up in Yirrkala in North East Arnhem and was first approached to be a model when she was in year 11, while she was withdrawing cash from an ATM in Darwin.

However she decided to continue her education, and it was not until finishing high school that the now 19-year-old decided to have a go.

“I want to be a role model so that beauty is seen as universal, no matter what colour, size or shape you are,” Ms Maymuru said.

After making her catwalk debut at NT Fashion Week last year, and her success with Miss World Australia this year, Ms Maymuru has been named as the face of Victorian shopping centre Chadstone.

Queensland’s Madeleine Cowe took out the title of Miss World Australia on Friday night, and will go on to compete in the international competition in December.