Miss Australia is the title for the winner of the Miss Australia Quest/Awards, which ran from 1954 until 2000, when the last Miss Australia was named.

The title of Miss Australia had existed since 1908, although it was not until 1954 http://www.thespasticcentre.com.au/services/about_tsc/history/miss_australia.htm that it became associated with The Spastic Centres of Australia. The Miss Australia Quest was sponsored and organised from 1954 until the early 1960s by the lingerie manufacturer, Hickory, until Dowd Associates transferred the ownership to the Australian Cerebral Palsy Association in 1963.

From 1926 the program operated under the name of The Miss Australia Quest until 1992 when it was changed to The Miss Australia Awards to reflect changing community attitudes.

Miss Australia raised money for The Spastic Centres of Australia through her family and friends. She was judged on merit, as well as raising the monies for children and adults with cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term encompassing a group of non-progressive, non-contagious motor conditions that cause physical disability in human development, chiefly in the various areas of body movement....

.

The pearl-encrusted Miss Australia crown, worn by titleholders from 1965 to 1991, is held at the National Museum of Australia

National Museum of Australia

The National Museum of Australia was formally established by the National Museum of Australia Act 1980. The National Museum preserves and interprets Australia's social history, exploring the key issues, people and events that have shaped the nation....

. The crown and was hand-crafted in silver and blue velvet, and decorated with more than 800 pearls. Designed by Melbourne artist Ernest Booth and manufactured in Japan, the crown was presented to the Miss Australia Quest in 1965 by Toyomoto Australia Pty Ltd. The crown was last used in 1991.

The History of Miss Australia

• Cerebral Palsy Alliance: Miss Australia

Past Miss Australia Titleholders

• 1908 - Alice Buckridge
• 1926 - Beryl Mills
• 1927 - Phyllis Von Alwyn
• 1937 - Sheila Martin
• 1946 - Rhonda Kelly
• 1947 - Judy Gainford
• 1948 - Beryl James
• 1949 - Margaret Hughes
• 1950 - 1952 No Miss Australia as a result of the dispute between Miss Australia 1949 and her chaperon.
• 1953 - Maxine Morgan

Began its association with The Spastic Centres of Australia

• 1954 - Shirley Bliss
• 1955 - Maureen Kistle
• 1956 - June Finlayson
• 1957 - Helen Wood
• 1958 - Pam Mackay
• 1959 - Joan Stanbury
• 1960 - Rosemary Fenton
• 1961 - Tania Verstak
  Tania Verstak
  Tania Verstak of Australia was Miss Australia in 1961 and Miss International in 1962.-Early life:Tania was born in Tianjin, China to Russian couple Vladimir and Valentina Verstak. They immigrated to Australia when she was 10 years old and settled in Manly, New South Wales...
  
  
• 1962 - Tricia Reschke
• 1964 - Jan Taylor
• 1965 - Carole Jackson
• 1966 - Sue Gallie
• 1967 - Margaret Rohan
• 1968 - Helen Newton
• 1969 - Suzanne McClelland
• 1970 - Rhonda Iffland
• 1971 - June Wright
• 1972 - Gay Walker
• 1973 - Michelle Downes
• 1974 - Randy Baker
• 1975 - Kerry Doyle
• 1976 - Sharon Betty
• 1977 - Francene Maras
• 1978 - Gloria Krope
• 1979 - Anne Sneddon
• 1980 - Eleanor Morton
• 1981 - Leanne Dick
• 1982 - Jenny Coupland
  Jenny Coupland
  Jenny Coupland was awarded the title Miss Australia in 1982. She was also Miss New South Wales the same year.Coupland was born in 1962. Her father was a surgeon, Professor Graham Coupland. She spent her early years in Lindfield, New South Wales and attended Pymble Ladies College.She now uses...
  
  
• 1983 - Lisa Cornelius
• 1984 - Maryanne Koznjak
• 1985 - Maria Ridley
• 1986 - Tracey Pearson
• 1987 - Judi Green
• 1988 - Caroline Lumley
• 1989 - Lea Dickson
• 1990 - Rebecca Noble
• 1991 - Helena Wayth
• 1992 - Suzanne Lee
• 1993 - Joanne Dick
• 1994 - Jane Bargwanna
• 1995 - Margaret Tierney
• 1996 - Suzanne Haward
• 1997 - Tracy Secombe
• 1998 - Suellen Fuller
• 1999 - Kathryn Hay
• 2000 - Sheree Primer

Ended its association with The Spastic Centres of Australia

Australia is now represented by either Miss Universe Australia or Miss World Australia

• 1952 - Leah MacCartney
• 1953 - Maxine Morgan (4th RU)
• 1954 - Shirley Bliss
• 1955 - no (Universe),Beverly Prowse (World-Semi-finalist)
• 1956 - no (Universe)
• 1957 - no (Universe),June Finlayson (World)
• 1958 - Astrid Tanda Lindholm
• 1959 - no (Universe)
• 1960 - no (Universe)
• 1961 - no (Universe)
• 1962 - no (Universe)
• 1963 - no (Universe)
• 1964 - Maria Luyben
• 1965 - Pauline Verey (Universe-Semi-finalist),Jan Rennison (World)
• 1966 - no (Universe)
• 1967 - no (Universe),Judy Lockey (World)
• 1968 - Laureen Jones (Universe),Penelope Plummer(Miss World 1968)
• 1969 - Joanne Barret (Universe 2nd RU),Stefane Meurer (World)
• 1970 - Joan Lydia Zealand (Universe-2nd RU), Valli Kemp
  Valli Kemp
  Valli Kemp is a former Australian model and actress, turned fashion designer, painter and art teacher. She is best known for her involvement in several high-profile beauty contests in the early 1970s, and for her memorable role in the cult 1972 horror film Dr...
  
   (World-Semi-finalist)
• 1971 - Tony Suzanne Rayward (Universe-1st RU),Valerie Roberts (World-Semi-finalist)
• 1972 - Kerry Anne Wells (Miss Universe 1972),Belinda Green (Miss World 1972)
• 1973 - Susan Mainwaring (Universe),Virginia Radinas (World)
• 1974 - Yasmin May Nagy (Universe-Semi-finalist),Gail Margaret Petith (World-3rd RU)
• 1975 - Jennifer Matthews(Universe),Anne Davidson (World-Semi-finalist)
• 1976 - Julie Anne Ismay (Universe-4th RU), Karen Jo Pini (World-1st RU)
• 1977 - Jill Maree Minahan(Universe),Jaye-Leanne Hopewell (World-Finalist)
• 1978 - Beverly Frances Pinder(Universe),Denise Ellen Coward (World-2nd RU)
• 1979 - Kerry Dunderdale (Universe),Jodie Anne Day (World-3rd RU)
• 1980 - Katrina Judith Rose Redina (Universe), Linda Leigh Shepherd (World)
• 1981 - Karen Sang (Universe), Melissa Hannan
  Melissa Hannan
  Melissa Hannan was Miss Australia in 1981. She was also in the Miss World 1981 held in London where she won Miss Oceania and by the Worlds Press.-After Miss World:...
  
   (World-Finalist & Queen of Oceania)
• 1982 - Lou-Anne Caroline Ronchi(Universe & International-semi-finalist),Catherine Anne Morris(World-Semi-finalist & queen of Oceania)
• 1983 - Simone Cox (Universe), Tanya Bowe (World-Queen of Oceania)
• 1984 - Donna Thelma Rudrum (Universe),Lou-Anne Caroline Ronchi(World-2nd RU)
• 1985 - Elizabeth Rowly (Universe), Angelina Nasso (World)
• 1986 - Lucinda Bucat (Universe & International 86),Stephanie Eleanor Andrews (World)
• 1987 - Jennine Susan Leonarder(Universe),Vanessa Gibson (International-Semi-finalist),Donna Thelma Rudrum (World)
• 1988 - Vanessa Gibson (Universe),Catherine Bushell (World-Semi-finalist & Queen of Oceania)
• 1989 - Karen Wenden (Universe-Miss Photogenic),Natalie McCurry (Semi-finalist & Queen of Oceania)
• 1990 - Charmaine Ware (Universe),Karina Brown (World)
• 1991 - no (Universe),Leanne Buckle (World-1st RU & Queen of Oceania)
• 1992 - Georgina Denahy (Universe-Semi-finalist),Rebecca Simic (World)
• 1993 - Voni Delfos (Universe-finalist),Karen Ann Carwin (World)
• 1994 - Michelle van Eimeren (Universe),Skye Edwards (World)
• 1995 - Jacqueline Shooter (Universe),Melissa Porter (World-Semi-finalist)
• 1996 - Jodie McMullen (Universe), Nicole Smith (World)
• 1997 - Laura Csortan (Universe-Miss Amity & world-Semi-finalist)
• 1998 - Renee Henderson (Universe), Sarah Jane St.Clair (World)
• 1999 - Michelle Shead (Universe), Kathryn Hay (World)
• 2000 - Samantha Frost (Universe), Renee Henderson (World)
• 2001 - no (Miss Universe), Eva Milic (World), Christy Anderson (Earth)
• 2002 - Sarah Davies (Universe), Nicole Ghazal ( Miss Australia World - Semi Finalist), Ineke Candice Leffers(Earth)
• 2003 - Ashlea Talbot (Universe), Olivia Stratton ( Miss Australia World - Semi Finalist), Shivaune Christina Field(Earth)
• 2004 - Jennifer Hawkins
  Jennifer Hawkins
  Jennifer Hawkins is an Australian beauty queen, model and television presenter best known as Miss Universe 2004 and the face of Australian department store Myer.-Early life:...
  
   (Miss Universe 2004), Sarah Davies (Miss Australia World - Semi Finalist), Alethea Lindsay (Miss World Australia runner up), Shenevelle Dickson (Miss Earth-Finalist)
• 2005 - Michelle Guy (Universe), Alethea Lindsay (Miss Universe Australia runner up), Denae Brunow (Miss Australia World), Ann Maree Bowdler (Earth)
• 2006 - Erin McNaught
  Erin McNaught
  Erin McNaught is an Australian television personality and former beauty pageant titleholder who won 2006 Miss Australia and represented Australia in the Miss Universe 2006 competition...
  
   (Miss Universe), Sabrina Houssami
  Sabrina Houssami
  Sabrina Houssami is a former Miss World Australia, as well as Miss World Asia Pacific and second 2nd runner up to Miss World 2006. She gained the national title although she did not officially win the national competition...
  
   (Miss Australia World - 2nd Runner Up, Miss Asia Pacific World ), Victoria Winter
  Victoria Winter
  Victoria Winter is a law graduate, businesswoman, beauty queen, model and television presenter. The winner of Miss Earth Australia, 2006, Victoria is the Western Australian presenter for Fashion TV and co-owner/director for Club Red Sea and Gold Bar Establishments.-Early life, education and...
  
   (Miss Earth)
• 2007 - Kimberley Busteed
  Kimberley Busteed
  Kimberley Busteed is an Australian beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Australia 2007 and represented Australia in the 2007 Miss Universe pageant...
  
   (Miss Universe), Caroline Pemberton
  Caroline Pemberton
  Caroline Louise Clowes Pemberton is an Australian model who was crowned the 2007 Miss Australia. Pemberton was crowned at Star City, Sydney on 4 April 2007, her second attempt at the title...
  
   (Miss Australia World), Victoria Stewart (Miss Earth)
• 2008 - Laura Dundovic
  Laura Dundovic
  Laura Dundovic was born in 16 September 1987 in Sydney, Australia, of Croatian parents. She is a beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Australia 2008 and represented Australia in the Miss Universe 2008 competition, in which she placed in the top ten....
  
   (Miss Universe- top 10 finalist), Katie Richardson
  Katie Richardson
  Katie Marie Richardson is a beauty queen who represented Australia in Miss World 2008 in South Africa. She studied for a degree in nutrition and dietetics with plans to earn a PhD in this field.-External links:* *...
  
   (Miss Australia World), Rachael Smith (Miss Earth),
• 2009 - Rachael Finch
  Rachael Finch
  Rachael Finch is an Australian beauty pageant titleholder. She finished as the 3rd runner-up in Miss Universe 2009 pageant.-Biography:Finch was crowned Miss Universe Australia on 22 April 2009 and subsequently represented Australia at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant held in the Bahamas on 23 August...
  
   (Universe - 3rd runner up), Sophie Lavers (Miss Australia World - Miss World Talent 2009 3rd Runner Up)
• 2010 - Jesinta Campbell (Universe - 2nd Runner up), Ashleigh Francis
  Ashleigh Francis
  Ashleigh Francis is currently Miss World Australia. Francis will be competing for the Miss World Title in October 2010, Sanya, China.She is 23 years old, was born in Sydney, Australia and stands at 170 cm tall. Her father is Jamaican and her mother is Scottish.-External links:***...
  
   (Miss Australia World)
• 2011- Scherri-Lee Biggs
  Scherri-Lee Biggs
  Scherri-Lee Biggs is a South African-born Australian model, beauty queen and pageant titleholder from Watermans Bay, Perth, Australia. She won the title of Miss Universe Australia, on 7 July 2011.-Biography:...
  
  (Universe - top 10 finalists), Amber Greasley (Miss World Australia)

Miss Australia

Miss Australia and Charity/Fundraisers 1954 - 2000 (with photos)
http://www.thespasticcentre.org.au/services/about_tsc/history/Miss_Australia_Titleholders-1954to2000.pdf

Miss Australia - State Titleholders

Miss New South Wales and Charity/Fundraisers 1954 - 2000 (with photos)
http://www.thespasticcentre.org.au/services/about_tsc/history/Miss_New_South_Wales_Titleholders-1954to2000.pdf

Famous Miss Australias

One of the most famous Miss Australias was Tania Verstak

Tania Verstak

Tania Verstak of Australia was Miss Australia in 1961 and Miss International in 1962.-Early life:Tania was born in Tianjin, China to Russian couple Vladimir and Valentina Verstak. They immigrated to Australia when she was 10 years old and settled in Manly, New South Wales...

. She was born in China of Russian parents, and when she won Miss Australia in 1961, she was the first woman of an immigrant background to win the award. Verstak's daughter is the actor Nina Young

Nina Young

-Family:She is the daughter of Perth businessman Peter Young and Tania Verstak, a woman of Russian origin who was Miss Australia 1961 and Miss International 1962.-Career:Her acting career has spanned sixteen years so far, from 1994 to present...

.

The 1960 Miss Australia, Rosemary Fenton, became the second wife of Ian Sinclair

Ian Sinclair

Ian McCahon Sinclair AC , is an Australian politician and former leader of the National Party of Australia.Sinclair was born in Sydney, the son of a suburban accountant. He was educated at Knox Grammar School and at the University of Sydney, where he graduated in arts and law...

, former leader of the federal National Party

National Party of Australia

The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...

 and Speaker of the House of Representatives

Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives

The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives, the lower house of the Parliament of Australia. The presiding officer in the upper house is the President of the Senate....

.

The 1960 "Miss Darling Downs" was Gay Kahler (Gay Kayler

Gay Kayler

Gay Kayler is an Australian country music entertainer and recording artist. Gay used her maiden name in her professional career until 1978, when she changed the spelling to Kayler to maintain a consistency of pronunciation.- A blossoming career :Gay comes from a musical family...

), a multiple beauty quest title holder, television personality, award-winning country music entertainer and recording artist.

The 1973 Miss Australia, Michelle Downes, was the second wife (1974–75) of Peter Brock

Peter Brock

Peter Geoffrey Brock, AM otherwise known as "Peter Perfect", "The King of the Mountain" or simply as "Brocky" was one of Australia's best-known and most successful motor racing drivers. Brock was most often associated with Holden for almost 40 years, although he raced vehicles of other...

.

The first Aboriginal woman to win the Miss Australia title was Kathryn Hay

Kathryn Hay

Kathryn Isobel Hay is a Tasmanian Labor politician and former member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly in the electorate of Bass...

 in 1999. Ms Hay subsequently became a Cabinet Secretary in the Tasmania

Tasmania

Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...

n government.

The Role Of Volunteers in Miss Australia

Miss Australia: A Nation's Quest. http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/past_exhibitions/miss_australia_a_nations_quest/

Miss Australia in International Beauty Pageants

There are now multiple competitions using Miss Australia in their title. To differentiate amongst the official national preliminaries to international competitions, the franchise name is added to Miss Australia.

For example, Australia's Miss Universe

Miss Universe

Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....

 contestants never came from The Spastic Centre

The Spastic Centre

The Spastic Centre of New South Wales, Australia has changed its name to Cerebral Palsy Alliance on February 8th 2011.Cerebral Palsy Alliance was founded on 9 December 1944 and commenced operations 30 January 1945. It was founded by a concerned group of 25 parents of children with cerebral palsy...

s Association Miss Australia. A local modelling agency selected representatives through small beauty pageants and screenings.

In 2002 Jim Davie revived Miss Universe in Australia by setting up the Miss Universe Australia organisation. This contest, which exclusively sends contestants to Miss Universe, was made famous by Jennifer Hawkins

Jennifer Hawkins

Jennifer Hawkins is an Australian beauty queen, model and television presenter best known as Miss Universe 2004 and the face of Australian department store Myer.-Early life:...

's victory in the 2004 Miss Universe pageant in Quito, Ecuador. Jennifer became only the second Australian woman ever to win the international title, following Kerry Anne Wells

Kerry Anne Wells

Kerry Anne Wells of Australia was the 1972 winner of the Miss Universe contest. She is from East Victoria Park, Western Australia.The 1972 pageant was the first to take place place outside the continental United States. That year, it was held in Dorado, Puerto Rico...

 who won the pageant in 1972.

For the Miss World

Miss World

The Miss World pageant is the oldest surviving major international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom by Eric Morley in 1951...

contest, a Miss World Australia is chosen through screenings. In previous years, titleholders from the original Miss World Australia contest were sent to Miss World. However, this was not the case in 2006, when the national contest was cancelled and Sabrina Houssami was conroversially crowned the winner. Penelope Plummer became Australia's first Miss World in 1968.

Sources and Further Reading

• Miss Australia: A retrospective 1908-2000 Katherine Beard (Hindmarsh, S. Aust. : Crawford House Publishing, c2001)

External links

• Miss World Australia website
• Miss Universe Australia website
• National Museum of Australia

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