Miss Universe Australia

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For the most recent competition, see Miss Universe Australia 2023.
Miss Universe Australia Organization
Formation1952; 73 years ago (1952)
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersPerth
Location
Membership
Official language
English
Director
Troy Barbagallo
Websitemissuniverseaustralia.com

Miss Universe Australia is a national beauty pageant that selects Australia's representative to the Miss Universe.

Organization

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Miss Universe is a registered trademark owned by the Miss Universe Organization. It was owned by Donald Trump and NBC from 1996. In 2015, after Trump made statements about illegal aliens from Mexico in his presidential campaign kickoff speech, NBC ended its business relationship with Trump and stated that they will no longer air the pageant, or the Miss USA pageant, on their networks.[1]

Since 1992, Jim Davie, a distributor of swimwear and athletic wear, has also been managing the Miss Australia Awards.[2] In 2002, Davie obtained the licence from the Miss Universe Organisation to select Miss Universe Australia to represent Australia at international Miss Universe pageants.[3] The new national director of the Miss Universe Australia Organisation is Troy Barbagallo of Pink Tank Events. Pink Tank have managed the Miss Universe Western Australia pageant since 2009 and was rewarded for their best in world platform with the national job in February 2016. Barbagallo is also a director of Barbagallo Group, luxury motor vehicle group and The Horologist, a leading luxury watch dealer. Barbagallo founded Box Magazine in 2003.

Miss Universe Australia is held each year to select a young woman to represent Australia at the international Miss Universe pageant. Contestants to the national pageant come from each of the States and Territories of Australia. In 2016 there are over 220 participants in the national pageant of which 30 are competing in the National Final.

History

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The international Miss Universe pageants started in 1952. Until 2000, while the Miss Australia Awards were held, the winners of the Miss Australia pageant would normally represent Australia at international Miss Universe pageants, but Australia did not have a representative in each year's event.

In 1952 Leah MacCartney was named as the first Miss Universe Australia. She was Miss Victoria[4] who was later elected as Miss Universe Australia 1952 on 16 June 1952 in Melbourne.[5]

In 1958, a independent pageant selected Miss Universe Australia. Miss Universe Australia partnered to Australian Photographic Agency (APA).

In 1964 and 1965, Miss Universe Australia was selected by the Agency casting in Melbourne.

Between 1968 and 1976, winners of Quest of Quests Dream Girl Australia represented Australia at Miss Universe.

Between 1977 and 1990, the winners of Miss Australia Beauty or Miss Universe Australia by TVW Enterprises represented Australia at Miss Universe.

There was no Australian entrant to the Miss Universe pageant in 1991 and 2001. In 2002 through 2004, the Australian representative to the Miss Universe pageant was chosen by a national pageant held in Sydney, organised by Adpro Management Group.

The national Miss Universe Australia pageant came under new management in 2005. Of the 307 who participated at the state level, 24 made it to the national pageant, and Michelle Guy became Miss Universe Australia 2005.[2]

There have been two Miss Universe title holders representing Australia: Kerry Anne Wells in 1972 and Jennifer Hawkins in 2004. Welles entered the Miss Universe pageant as Miss Australia; Hawkins was chosen Miss Universe Australia and went on to win the Miss Universe title in Quito.

New owner

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In February 2016, was announced that the new director of Miss Universe Australia is Troy Barbagallo, appointed by IMG.[6]

The Road to Miss Universe Australia

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The Road to Miss Universe Australia is a television special that is broadcast on Channel 9 & 9Life. It is produced by Mathew Knight Media in partnership with Pink Tank Events.

International crowns

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Titleholders

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  •   : Declared as Winner
  •   : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
  •   : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists
  •   : Ended as special awards winner
On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.
Year State Miss Universe Australia Placement at Miss Universe Special awards
Troy Barbagallo (PinkTank Events PTY Ltd.) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe from 2016
2025 Queensland Lexie Brant[7] Unplaced
2024 Queensland Zoe Creed[8] Unplaced
2023 Victoria Moraya Wilson 2nd Runner-up
2022 New South Wales Monique Riley Top 16
2021 Victoria Daria Varlamova Unplaced
2020 Victoria Maria Thattil Top 10
2019 Victoria Priya Serrao Unplaced
2018 New South Wales Francesca Hung Top 20
2017 South Australia Olivia Rogers Unplaced
2016 Western Australia Caris Tiivel Unplaced
Deborah Miller directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 2005―2015
2015 New South Wales Monika Radulovic Top 5
2014 New South Wales Tegan Martin Top 10
2013 Victoria Olivia Wells Unplaced
2012 Western Australia Renae Ayris 3rd Runner-up
2011 Western Australia Scherri-Lee Biggs Top 10
2010 Queensland Jesinta Campbell 2nd Runner-up
  • Miss Congeniality
2009 Queensland Rachael Finch[9] 3rd Runner-up
2008 New South Wales Laura Dundovic[10] Top 10
2007 Queensland Kimberley Busteed[11] Unplaced
2006 Australian Capital T. Erin McNaught[12] Unplaced
2005 Western Australia Michelle Guy[13] Unplaced
Jim Davie and Sydney (Adpro Management Group) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 2002―2004
2004 New South Wales Jennifer Hawkins[14] Miss Universe 2004
2003 New South Wales Ashlea Talbot Unplaced
2002 Queensland Sarah Davies Unplaced
Jim Davie directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1992―2001
Did not compete in 2001
2000 New South Wales Samantha Frost Unplaced
1999 New South Wales Michelle Shead Unplaced
1998 Victoria Renee Henderson Unplaced
1997 New South Wales Laura Csortan Unplaced
  • Miss Congeniality
1996 New South Wales Jodie McMullen Unplaced
  • Miss Congeniality
1995 New South Wales Jacqueline Shooter Unplaced
1994 Queensland Michelle van Eimeren Unplaced
1993 Queensland Voni Delfos Top 6
1992 Queensland Georgina Denahy Top 10
TVW Enterprises directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1977―1990
Did not compete in 1991
1990 New South Wales Charmaine Ware Unplaced
1989 New South Wales Karen Wenden Unplaced
  • Miss Photogenic
1988 New South Wales Vanessa Lynn Gibson Unplaced
1987 New South Wales Jennine Leonarder Unplaced
1986 New South Wales Christina Bucat Unplaced
1985 Queensland Elizabeth Bowly Unplaced
1984 Victoria Donna Rudrum Unplaced
1983 New South Wales Simone Cox Unplaced
1982 Western Australia Lou-Anne Ronchi Unplaced
1981 New South Wales Karen Sang Unplaced
1980 Victoria Katrina Rose Unplaced
1979 Western Australia Kerry Dunderdale Unplaced
1978 Victoria Beverley Pinder Unplaced
1977 Victoria Jill Maree Minahan Unplaced
Waltons, a Sydney Department directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1968―1976
1976 New South Wales Julie Anne Ismay 4th Runner-up
1975 New South Wales Jennifer "Jenny" Matthews Unplaced
1974 Victoria Yasmin May Nagy[15] Top 12[16]
1973 Queensland Susan Mainwaring[17] Unplaced[18]
1972 Western Australia Kerry Anne Wells[19] Miss Universe 1972[20]
1971 New South Wales Toni Suzanne Rayward[21] 1st runner-up[22]
1970 New South Wales Joan Lydia Zealand[23] 2nd runner-up
1969 New South Wales Joanne Barrett[24] 2nd runner-up[25]
1968 New South Wales Lauren Jones[26] Unplaced
Moomba Festival Melbourne directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1964―1965
Did not compete between 1966—1967
1965 Victoria Pauline Verey[27] Top 15[28]
1964 Victoria Maria "Ria" Luyben[29] Unplaced[30]
Australian Photographic Agency directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe in 1958
Did not compete between 1959—1963
1958 South Australia Astrid Lindholm Unplaced Most Popular Girl
Bernard Dowd (Dowd Associates) directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe between 1953―1954
Did not compete between 1955—1957
1954 New South Wales Shirley Bliss[31] Unplaced
1953 New South Wales Maxine Morgan[32] 4th runner-up[33]
Miss Victoria Foundation directorship — a franchise holder to Miss Universe in 1952
1952 Victoria Leah McCartney[34] Unplaced

State rankings

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State Title Year
New South Wales 27 1953, 1954, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2022
Victoria 14 1952, 1964, 1965, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1984, 1998, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023
Queensland 10 1973, 1985, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2002, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2024
Western Australia 6 1972, 1979, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2016
South Australia 3 1958, 1982, 2017
Capital Territory 1 2006

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Stanhope, Kate (29 June 2015). "NBC Cuts Ties With Donald Trump die "Derogatory Statements," Pulls Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
  2. ^ a b The age, 25 May 2005: Beauty quests looking more attractive
  3. ^ The Age, 9 June 2006: Who's a pretty girl, then?
  4. ^ "Elwood model is 1952 Miss Victoria". The Sun News-Pictorial. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 2 June 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  5. ^ "Miss Victoria wins Miss Australia". The Sun News-Pictorial. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 17 June 1952. p. 1. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  6. ^ Clarke, Jenna (10 February 2016). "Miss Universe Australia announces new boss Perth businessman Troy Barbagallo". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  7. ^ "Lexie Brant Crowned Miss Universe Australia 2025". Gold Coast Magazine. 16 August 2025. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  8. ^ George, Owen (5 September 2024). "Zoe Creed crowned Miss Universe Australia 2024". Gold Coast Magazine. Archived from the original on 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Townsville model Rachael Finch crowned Miss Universe Australia". Townsville Bulletin. 23 April 2009. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  10. ^ "Meet Miss Universe Australia, Laura Dundovic". The Daily Telegraph. 15 May 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  11. ^ "Beauty stunned by win". Sunday Herald Sun. 22 April 2007. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  12. ^ "Meet the new Miss Australia". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 June 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  13. ^ "WA woman to represent Australia for Miss Universe". ABC News. 2 April 2005. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  14. ^ "Miss Australia, Crowned Miss Universe(R) 2004 During Live NBC Telecast On June 1". PR Newswire. 2 June 2004. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  15. ^ "Girl takes three beauty titles". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 17 September 1973. p. 3. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  16. ^ "WORLD NEWS: Crowned". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 22 July 1974. p. 5. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  17. ^ "THE QUEST OF QUESTS". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 40, no. 18. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 4–10 October 1972. p. 9. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  18. ^ "WORLD NEWS: FILIPINO GIRL WINS CONTEST". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 23 July 1972. p. 5. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  19. ^ "REPRESENTING AUSTRALIA". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 39, no. 18. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 29 September – 5 October 1971. pp. 8–9. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  20. ^ "Kerry is top beauty". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 31 July 1972. p. 1. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  21. ^ "BEAUTY QUEENS HERE FOR FLORAL FESTIVAL FINALE". The Queanbeyan Age. Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia. 13 November 1970. p. 1. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  22. ^ "WORLD NEWS". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 26 July 1971. p. 5. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  23. ^ Hines, Barbara (16 October 1969). "Miss World is not sure". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. p. 1. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  24. ^ "MISS WORLD AT WALTONS CANBERRA EXCLUSIVELY! FRIDAY". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 17 October 1968. p. 12. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  25. ^ "Australian No 3 for Miss Universe". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 21 July 1969. p. 6. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  26. ^ "What people are wearing in SYDNEY: AT A CHARITY LUNCHEON". The Australian Women's Weekly Fashion News. Vol. 36, no. 3. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 19–25 June 1968. p. 8. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  27. ^ "Melbourne's Moomba Queen". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 10 July 1965. p. 4. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  28. ^ "Beauties". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 23 July 1965. p. 1. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  29. ^ "Moomba". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 16 July 1964. p. 7. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  30. ^ "Cables in brief: Beauty". The Canberra Times. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 1 August 1964. p. 5. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  31. ^ "N.S.W. girl wins Quest". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 23 May 1954. p. 7. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  32. ^ "N.S.W. Teenager Crowned Miss Australia: Miss Maxine Morgan Chosen Miss Australia". The Age. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 29 May 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  33. ^ "NSW girl 5th in world quest". The Mail. Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 18 July 1953. p. 5. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.
  34. ^ "Victorian, Leah McCartney Is 'Miss Australia'". The Newcastle Sun. Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. 17 June 1952. p. 3. Retrieved 17 October 2025 – via Trove.

Sources

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"Aussie top three in Miss Universe". BigPond News. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2011.

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