The Miss World Australia beauty pageant is about more than a pretty face.
The competition values authenticity, integrity, empowerment, respect and community – morals exemplified by local 19-year-old Sophia Meehan.
Meehan is a NSW National Finalist in the competition, switching her netball uniform for a ball gown to represent her state.
“I play for the Penrith Panthers Under 23’s Premier League team and I got into Miss World Australia because I wanted to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone,” Meehan explained.
“It’s been such a wonderful journey, and I’ve met so many beautiful people.”
An important part of Miss World Australia is an initiative called Beauty with a Purpose which raises funds for various causes.
“My beauty with a purpose is raising awareness for ovarian cancer,” Meehan said.
“I lost my Oma – which means grandmother in Dutch – in 2017 from ovarian cancer and she was like a second mother to me. I am now an ambassador for ovarian cancer’s upcoming national fitness fundraiser – ‘Workout 4 Women’.”
The Miss World competition has also partnered with Variety, The Children’s Charity for many years, and Meehan hopes to fundraise for the organisation soon.
“After uni exams, I’m hoping to organise a netball clinic for children with disabilities,” Meehan told the Weekender.
The Western Sydney University student hopes to use the Miss World Australia platform as a tool for positive change, showing others how to turn setbacks into opportunities and honouring her Oma’s memory.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.