{{Short description|Australian beauty pageant}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}} {{multipleissues| {{refimprove|date=January 2025}} {{original research|date=January 2025}}{{Unfocused|date=June 2025}} {{Overly detailed|date=June 2025}} }} {{Infobox organization |name = Miss Australia |image = |image_border = |image_size = |caption = |map = |map_size = |map_caption = |formation = 1908–2000 |type = [[Beauty pageant]] |headquarters = [[Sydney]] |location = [[Australia]] |membership = |language = [[English language|English]] |leader_title = |leader_name = |key_people = |num_staff = |budget = |website = }} '''Miss Australia''' was an Australian beauty pageant held from 1908 until 2000. It was replaced by [[Miss World Australia]] from 2002. From 1926 to 1992 the program operated as the Miss Australia Quest, after which the name was changed to the Miss Australia Awards.
From 1954, the contest was associated with the Spastic Centres of Australia. The winner of Miss Australia raised money for the centres through her family and friends, raising money for children and adults with [[cerebral palsy]].<ref>Cerebral Palsy Alliance. [http://www.cerebralpalsy.org.au/about-us/our-history/miss-australia "Miss Australia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213091925/http://www.cerebralpalsy.org.au/about-us/our-history/miss-australia |date=13 February 2011 }}.</ref> The Miss Australia Quest was sponsored and organised from 1954 until the early 1960s by the lingerie manufacturer, Hickory, until Dowd Associates transferred ownership to the Australian Cerebral Palsy Association in 1963.
The pearl-encrusted Miss Australia crown was worn by titleholders from 1965 to 1991. The crown 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,<ref>[http://www.nma.gov.au/collections/highlights/miss-australia-crown Miss Australia crown], [[National Museum of Australia]]</ref> and is held at the [[National Museum of Australia]].
==History== [[File:First "Miss Australia", Beryl Mills of WA, 1927 - photographed by Sam Hood (2866498615).jpg|thumb|"Miss Australia", Beryl Mills in Sydney, by [[Sam Hood]]]] The first Miss Australia contest was held in 1908 as a one-off event sponsored through the ''[[The Lone Hand (magazine)|Lone Hand]]'', with entrants from New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The winner was Alice Buckridge from Victoria.<ref name=Swimsuit>{{cite book |first=Christine |last=Schmidt |title=The Swimsuit: Fashion from Poolside to Catwalk |date=18 July 2013 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BSs4Kd5tHsIC&q=Jennifer+Hawkins+was+the+first+Miss+Universe+Australia+winner&pg=PA48 |page=48|publisher=A&C Black |isbn=9780857851246 }}</ref> The primary purpose of the contest was "to attract customers: whether they were newspaper readers, patrons at an amusement venue or visitors to a country fair" (Saunders and Ustinoff, 2005:4)
The Miss Australia contests of 1926 and 1927 were sponsored by ''[[Smith's Weekly]]'' magazine and [[Union Theatres]], with heats from each State, and were straightforward [[beauty contest]]s, judged by an anonymous panel from the staff of the magazine and associated publications. Miss Australia 1937 was again sponsored by ''Smith's Weekly'' and again had heats in each State, but judging criteria were far broader, and the judging panel comprised prominent women.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110226970 |title=Miss Australia, 1937 |newspaper=[[The Times And Northern Advertiser, Peterborough, South Australia]] |location=South Australia |date=25 September 1936 |access-date=9 June 2016 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The prizes for the first two centred around [[screen test]]s and an escorted trip to the movie capitals of America. The 1937 prize was a chaperoned first-class travel world tour which included London for the Coronation season. ''Smith's Weekly'' was not involved in later Quests.
In 1953, the contest was revised by Bernard J. Dowd to promote the American Hickory [[lingerie]] that he marketed in Australia. A panel of Hickory-appointed judges in each state selected a winner based on photos sent it by young women, and then a national panel of Hickory-appointed judges chose the winner, Miss Australia.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cerebralpalsy.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Miss-Australia-Booklet-Web.pdf|title=Miss Australian: a short history|website=Cerebral Palsy Alliance|access-date=18 June 2019}}</ref>
In 1954, Colin Clay of the Queensland Spastic Welfare League asked Hickory if the Miss Australia competition could be used as a fundraiser for the league. Hickory agreed and from then on the contestants raised money for the league. Each state branch of the league would conduct its own contest to find a state winner, known as Miss Queensland, Miss New South Wales, etc, based on traditional "beauty contest" critieria. They would also award Miss Queensland Charity Queen, Miss New South Wales Charity Queensland, etc to the young woman who raised the most money in each state. The state finalists would then compete in the national competition for Miss Australia and Miss Australia Charity Queen.<ref name=":0" />
In 1963, Dowd assigned all rights to the contest to the League.<ref name=":0" />
== Titleholders == [[File:Alice Buckridge, Miss Australia 1908, in The Lone Hand.jpg|thumb|Alice Buckridge, Miss Australia 1908, in ''[[The Lone Hand (magazine)|The Lone Hand]]'' magazine]] [[File:Beryl Mills, Miss Australia 1926.jpg|thumb|Beryl Mills, Miss Australia 1926]] [[File:Phyllis Von Alwyn, Miss Australia 1927.jpg|thumb|Phyllis Von Alwyn, Miss Australia 1927]] [[File:Rhonda Kelly 1945.jpg|thumb|Rhonda Kelly in 1945]] [[File:Judy Gainford, Miss Australia 1947.jpg|thumb|Judy Gainford, Miss Australia 1947]] [[File:Margaret Hughes 1950.jpg|thumb|Margaret Hughes, Miss Australia 1949, in 1950]] [[File:Maxine Morgan, Miss Australia 1953.jpg|thumb|Maxine Morgan, Miss Australia 1953]] [[File:Shirley Bliss, Miss Australia 1954.jpg|thumb|Shirley Bliss, Miss Australia 1954]] [[File:Jan Taylor 1964.jpg|thumb|[[Jan Taylor]], Miss Australia 1964 in Egypt]] [[File:Suzanne McClelland 1969.jpg|thumb|[[Suzanne McClelland (Miss Australia)|Suzanne McClelland]], Miss Australia 1969 in the Netherlands]] [[File:Miss Australia 1994 Jayne Bargwanna.jpg|thumb|Miss Australia 1994 Jayne Bargwanna]] * 1908 – Alice Buckridge * 1926 – [[Beryl Mills]] of [[Geraldton]], [[Western Australia]] * 1927 – Phyllis Von Alwyn of [[Launceston, Tasmania]] * 1937 – Sheila Martin of [[Wagga Wagga]], [[New South Wales]] * 1946 – Rhonda Kelly<ref>{{cite news |title=Queensland Girl Selected As "Miss Australia" |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/3626523 |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=[[The Barrier Miner]] |date=18 December 1945 |location=[[Broken Hill]], New South Wales, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1947 – Judith "Judy" Gainford<ref>{{cite news |title=Judy Gainford, Miss N.S.W., Is Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/16720064 |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=[[The Newcastle Sun]] |date=27 November 1947 |location=[[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], New South Wales, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1948 – Beryl James<ref>{{cite news |title=Beryl James Chosen "Miss Australia 1948" |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/16690964 |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=[[The Newcastle Sun]] |date=27 January 1949 |location=[[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], New South Wales, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1949 – Margaret Hughes<ref>{{cite news |title="Miss Australia 1949" |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/16700893 |access-date=30 March 2026 |work=[[The Newcastle Sun]] |date=15 December 1949 |location=[[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], New South Wales, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1950 – Patricia "Pat" Woodley<ref>{{cite news |title=Miss Australia on front pages |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/24913193 |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=[[The Sun (Sydney)|The Sun]] |date=20 June 1951 |location=[[Sydney]], New South Wales, Australia |page=7 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1952 – Leah McCartney<ref>{{cite news |title=Miss Australia's £525 smile |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/26569848 |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=[[The Herald (Melbourne)|The Herald]] |date=17 June 1952 |location=[[Melbourne]], Victoria, Australia |page=5 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1953 – Maxine Morgan<ref>{{cite news |title=N.S.W. Girl "Miss Australia" |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/10080488 |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=[[Newcastle Herald|Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate]] |date=29 May 1953 |location=[[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], New South Wales, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1954 – Shirley Bliss<ref>{{cite news |title="MISS N.S.W." WINS QUEST |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/1077138 |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=[[The Sun-Herald]] |date=23 May 1954 |location=[[Sydney]], New South Wales, Australia |page=13 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1955 – Maureen Kistle<ref>{{cite news |title=Miss Australia Quest: QUEENSLAND GIRL WINS TITLE |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/32163179 |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=[[The Toowoomba Chronicle|The Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette]] |date=9 November 1955 |location=[[Toowoomba]], Queensland, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1956 – June Finlayson<ref>{{cite news |title=JUNE WON TITLE - AND A WALTZ WITH SIR DALLAS |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/6563240 |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=[[The Argus (Melbourne)|The Argus]] |date=26 November 1956 |location=[[Melbourne]], Victoria, Australia |page=7 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1957 – Helen Wood<ref>{{cite news |title=Queensland Teacher Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/7148274 |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=9 November 1957 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1958 – Pamela "Pam" McKay<ref>{{cite news |title=Queenslander Again Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/11484847 |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=11 November 1958 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=2 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1959 – Joan Stanbury<ref>{{cite news |title=MISS AUSTRALIA CHOSEN |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/11489952 |access-date=29 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=9 September 1959 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1960 – [[Rosemary Edna Sinclair|Rosemary Fenton]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sydney Girl Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/11495153 |access-date=24 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=5 November 1960 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1961 – [[Tania Verstak]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Tania, 20, takes quest title |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/20745390 |access-date=24 March 2026 |work=[[The Good Neighbour (newspaper)|The Good Neighbour]] |date=1 November 1961 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1962 – Tricia Reschke<ref>{{cite news |title=Miss Australia For Tunarama - To Judge Quest Entrants |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/29961038 |access-date=24 March 2026 |work=[[Port Lincoln Times]] |date=1 November 1962 |location=[[Port Lincoln]], South Australia, Australia |page=2 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref>{{efn|A [[Tricia (elephant)|newly arrived elephant]] at the [[Perth Zoo]], was named after her in 1963.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/article/jumbo-celebrations-tricia-turns-60|title=Jumbo Celebrations as Tricia Turns 60! {{!}} Perth Zoo|website=perthzoo.wa.gov.au|access-date=2019-01-27}}</ref>}} * 1964 – [[Jan Taylor (model)|Jan Taylor]]<ref>{{cite news |title=JAN TAYLOR IS MISS AUSTRALIA |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/11466801 |access-date=24 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=26 October 1963 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1965 – Carole Jackson<ref>{{cite news |title=Title to Miss W.A. |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/14519389 |access-date=24 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=24 October 1964 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1966 – Sue Gallie<ref>{{cite news |title=Arts graduate is Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/11615598 |access-date=24 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=22 November 1965 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1967 – Margaret Rohan<ref>{{cite news |title=MISS S.A. WINS TITLE |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/11623836 |access-date=24 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=22 November 1966 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1968 – Helen Newton<ref>{{cite news |title=Page 1 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/11657239 |access-date=24 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=27 October 1967 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1969 – [[Suzanne McClelland (Miss Australia)|Suzanne McClelland]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Page 7 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/31759116 |access-date=24 March 2026 |work=[[Windsor and Richmond Gazette]] |date=12 February 1969 |location=[[Windsor, New South Wales|Windsor]], New South Wales, Australia |page=7 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1970 – Rhonda Iffland<ref>{{cite news |title=Page 1 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/11673814 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=31 October 1969 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1971 – June Wright<ref>{{cite news |title=Miss WA is new Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/11950558 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=7 November 1970 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1972 – Gay Walker<ref>{{cite news |title=Page 1 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/11957770 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=16 November 1971 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1973 – Michelle Downes<ref>{{cite news |title=Page 1 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12739975 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=3 November 1972 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1974 – Randy Baker<ref>{{cite news |title=IN BRIEF: Crowned |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12213154 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=29 October 1973 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1975 – Kerry Doyle<ref>{{cite news |title=Teacher wins quest |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/15958369 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=29 October 1974 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1976 – Sharon Betty<ref>{{cite news |title=LIFE STYLE: TV-ARTS-ENTERTAINMENT: television: Beauty queen |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12747079 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=16 October 1975 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=23 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1977 – Francene Maras<ref>{{cite news |title=IN BRIEF: Crowned |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12225909 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=26 October 1976 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1978 – Gloria Krope<ref>{{cite news |title=MEET MISS AUSTRALIA |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/14552425 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=15 February 1978 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=12 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1979 – Anne Sneddon<ref>{{cite news |title=Page 1 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12383902 |access-date=4 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=28 October 1978 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1980 – Eleanor Morton<ref>{{cite news |title=Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12393349 |access-date=3 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=23 October 1979 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1981 – Leanne Dick<ref>{{cite news |title=Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/13920547 |access-date=3 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=25 October 1980 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1982 – [[Jenny Coupland]]<ref>{{cite news |title=International beerfest for Canberra |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/13934283 |access-date=3 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=20 January 1982 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=12 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1983 – Lisa Cornelius<ref>{{cite news |title=Page 3 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12855461 |access-date=3 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=30 October 1982 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1984 – Mary-Ann Koznjak<ref>{{cite news |title=ACT’s Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12864994 |access-date=3 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=5 November 1983 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1985 – Maria Ridley<ref>{{cite news |title=Page 1 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/13747825 |access-date=3 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=3 November 1984 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1986 – Tracey Pearson<ref>{{cite news |title=Page 1 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/13764040 |access-date=3 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=14 November 1985 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=1 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1987 – Judi Green<ref>{{cite news |title=Disabled protest at quest |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/13035159 |access-date=3 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=23 January 1987 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1988 – Caroline Lumley * 1989 – Lea Dickson<ref>{{cite news |title=Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12983586 |access-date=3 March 2026 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=12 February 1989 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1990 – Rebecca Noble<ref>{{cite news |title=Near-miss(hap) for Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/12971201 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=10 February 1990 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=3 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1991 – Helena Wayth<ref>{{cite news |title=IN BRIEF: Beauty title to Victorian |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/13002285 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=18 February 1991 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=2 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1992 – Suzanne Lee<ref>{{cite news |title=IN BRIEF: Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/15104012 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=10 February 1992 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=13 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1993 – [[Joanne Dick]]<ref>{{cite news |title=IN BRIEF: Miss Australia |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/13961037 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=27 January 1993 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=14 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1994 – Jane Bargwanna<ref>{{cite news |title=FRIDGE DOOR: YASS LUNCH |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/13357978 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=8 July 1994 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=16 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1995 – Margaret Tierney<ref>{{cite news |title=ABOUT TOWN: Glamour, charities begin year as partners |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/14181634 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=[[The Canberra Times]] |date=13 March 1995 |location=[[Canberra]], Australian Capital Territory, Australia |page=15 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1996 – Suzanne Haward * 1997 – Tracy Secombe<ref>{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Rachel |title=People & Places: Recent success encourages local entrants |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/30015941 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=[[Port Lincoln Times]] |date=11 February 1997 |location=[[Port Lincoln]], South Australia, Australia |page=9 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1998 – Suellen Fuller<ref>{{cite news |title=NEWS: Miss Australia in town |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/30008404 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=[[Port Lincoln Times]] |date=21 May 1998 |location=[[Port Lincoln]], South Australia, Australia |page=5 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 1999 – [[Kathryn Hay]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Making a Difference: Miss Australia continues tour |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/31593634 |access-date=17 October 2025 |work=Hills Messenger |date=14 April 1999 |location=[[Port Adelaide]], South Australia, Australia |page=27 |via=[[Trove]]}}</ref> * 2000 – Sheree Primer
==Miss Australia at International pageants== 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 Miss – semi-finalist) * 1956 – no (Universe) * 1957 – no (Universe), June Finlayson (Miss 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 (Miss Universe – semi-finalist), Jan Rennison (Miss World) * 1966 – no (Universe) * 1967 – no (Universe), Judy Lockey (Miss World) * 1968 – Lauren Jones (Miss Universe), Penelope Plummer (Miss World 1968) * 1969 – Joanne Barret (Miss Universe 2nd RU), Stefane Meurer (Miss World) * 1970 – Joan Lydia Zealand (Miss Universe-2nd RU), [[Valli Kemp]] (Miss World-Semi-finalist) * 1971 – Tony Suzanne Rayward (Miss Universe-1st RU), Valerie Roberts (Miss World-Semi-finalist) * 1972 – [[Kerry Anne Wells]] (Miss Universe 1972), [[Belinda Green]] (Miss World 1972) * 1973 – Susan Mainwaring (Miss Universe), Virginia Radinas (World) * 1974 – Yasmin May Nagy (Miss Universe-Semi-finalist), Gail Margaret Petith (World-3rd RU) * 1975 – Jennifer Matthews(Miss Universe), Anne Davidson (World-Semi-finalist) * 1976 – Julie Anne Ismay (Miss Universe-4th RU), [[Karen Pini|Karen Jo Pini]] (Miss World-1st RU) * 1977 – Jill Maree Minahan(Miss Universe), Jaye-Leanne Hopewell (Miss World – finalist) * 1978 – Beverly Frances Pinder (Miss Universe),Denise Ellen Coward (Miss World – 2nd RU) * 1979 – Kerry Dunderdale (Miss Universe), Jodie Anne Day (Miss World – 3rd RU) * 1980 – Katrina Judith Rose Redina (Miss Universe), Linda Leigh Shepherd (Miss World) * 1981 – Karen Sang (Miss Universe Australia), [[Melissa Hannan]] (Miss World – finalist & Queen of Oceania) * 1982 – Lou-Anne Caroline Ronchi(Miss Universe & Miss International – semi-finalist), Catherine Anne Morris (Miss World – semi-finalist & Queen of Oceania) * 1983 – Simone Cox (Universe), Tanya Bowe (Miss World, Queen of Oceania) * 1984 – Donna Thelma Rudrum (Miss Universe), Lou-Anne Caroline Ronchi(Miss World – 2nd RU) * 1985 – Elizabeth Rowly (Miss Universe), Angelina Nasso (Miss World) * 1986 – Lucinda Bucat (Miss Universe & Miss International 86), Stephanie Eleanor Andrews (Miss World) * 1987 – Jennine Susan Leonarder(Miss Universe), Vanessa Gibson (Miss International – semi-finalist), Donna Thelma Rudrum (Miss World) * 1988 – Vanessa Gibson (Miss Universe), Catherine Bushell (Miss World – Semi-finalist & Queen of Oceania) * 1989 – Karen Wenden (Miss Universe, Miss Photogenic), Natalie McCurry (Semi-finalist & Queen of Oceania) * 1990 – Charmaine Ware (Miss Universe), Karina Brown (Miss World) * 1991 – no (Universe), Leanne Buckle (Miss World-1st RU & Queen of Oceania) * 1992 – Georgina Denahy (Miss Universe-Semi-finalist), Rebecca Simic (Miss World) * 1993 – Voni Delfos (Miss Universe-finalist) Karen Ann Carwin (Miss World) * 1994 – [[Michelle van Eimeren]] (Miss Universe), Skye Edwards (Miss World) * 1995 – Jacqueline Shooter (Miss Universe), Melissa Porter (Miss World – semi-finalist) * 1996 – Jodie McMullen (Miss Universe), Nicole Smith (Miss World) * 1997 – Laura Csortan (Miss Universe-, Miss Amity & Miss world – semi-finalist) * 1998 – Renee Henderson (Miss Universe), Sarah Jane St.Clair (Miss World) * 1999 – Michelle Shead (Miss Universe), [[Kathryn Hay]] (Miss World) * 2000 – Samantha Frost (Miss Universe), Renee Henderson (Miss World) * 2001 – no (Miss Universe), Eva Milic (Miss World), Christy Anderson (Miss Earth) * 2002 – Sarah Davies (Miss Universe), Nicole Gazal (Miss Australia World – semi-finalist), Ineke Candice Leffers (Miss Earth) * 2003 – Ashlea Talbot (Miss Universe), Olivia Stratton<ref>http://oliviastratton.com/ Olivia Stratton</ref> (Miss Australia World – winner; Miss World People's Choice), Shivaune Christina Field(Miss Earth) * 2004 – [[Jennifer Hawkins]] (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 (Miss Universe), Alethea Lindsay (Miss Universe Australia runner up), Denae Brunow (Miss Australia World), Ann Maree Bowdler (Miss Earth) * 2006 – [[Erin McNaught]] (Miss Universe), [[Sabrina Houssami]] (Miss Australia World – 2nd runner up, Miss Asia Pacific World), Victoria Winter (Miss Earth) * 2007 – [[Kimberley Busteed]] (Miss Universe), [[Caroline Pemberton]] (Miss Australia World), Victoria Stewart (Miss Earth) * 2008 – [[Laura Dundovic]] (Miss Universe- top 10 finalist), [[Katie Richardson]] (Miss Australia World), Rachael Smith (Miss Earth), * 2009 – [[Rachael Finch]] (Universe – 3rd runner up), Sophie Lavers (Miss Australia World – Miss World Talent 2009 3rd runner up) * 2010 – [[Jesinta Franklin]] (Universe – 2nd Runner up), [[Ashleigh Francis]] (Miss Australia World) * 2011 – [[Scherri-Lee Biggs]] (Universe – top 10 finalists), Amber Greasley (Miss World Australia – Miss World quarter finalist) * 2012 – [[Renae Ayris]] (Universe – 3rd Runner up), [[Jessica Kahawaty]] (Miss Australia World – Miss World 2nd runner up) * 2013 – [[Olivia Wells]] (Miss Universe), [[Erin Holland]] (Miss World Australia – Miss World Oceania),<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/erin-holland-wins-miss-world-australia/story-e6frfmq9-1226682496230 Erin Holland wins Miss World Australia]. news.com.au. 21 July 2013.</ref> Kelly Louise Maguire (Miss Grand Australia- Miss Grand International 4th runner up). * 2014 – [[Tegan Martin]], (Universe – top 10 finalists); [[Courtney Thorpe]] (Miss World Australia – Miss World Oceania – top 5); [[Renera Thompson]] (Miss Grand Australia- Miss Grand International 3rd runner up). * 2015 – [[Monika Radulovic]], (Universe – top 5 finalists); [[Tess Alexander]] (Miss World Australia – Miss World Oceania – top 11); Claire Elizabeth Parker (Miss Grand Australia- Miss Grand International Winner). * 2016 – [[Caris Tiivel]] (Miss Universe), [[Madeline Cowe]] (Miss World Australia – Top 20); [[Dani Fitch]] (Miss Grand Australia- Miss Grand International Top 20 finalist)
===Australia at Miss Global === '''Color keys'''{{plainlist| * {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} : Declared as Winner * {{Color box|#FFFF66|border=silver}} : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification * {{Color box|#FFFF99|border=silver}} : Ended as one of the finalists or semifinalists * {{Color box|#FADADD|border=silver}} : Ended as special awards winner }} {| class="wikitable " style="font-size: 95%;" !width="60" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Year !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Miss Global Australia !width="250" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|National title !width="200" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Placement at Miss Global !width="200" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Special Awards |-style="background-color:#FFFF66; font-weight: bold" |2022 |Brooke Rankin |Miss Global Australia 2022 |2nd Runner-Up | |- |2021 |Denika Donnelly |Miss Global Australia 2021 |colspan="2" {{n/a|No}} |-style="background-color:#FFFF66; font-weight: bold" |2019 |Mikaela-Rose Fowler |Miss Global Australia 2019 |4th Runner-Up | |-style="background-color:#FFFACD; font-weight: bold" |2018 |Rachel Falzon |Miss Global Australia 2018 |Top 11 | |-style="background-color:#FFFACD; font-weight: bold" |2017 |Sophia Harris |Miss Global Australia 2017 |Top 11 | |-style="background-color:#FFFF66; font-weight: bold" |2016 |Caitlynn Henry |Miss Global Australia 2016 |2nd Runner-Up | |-style="background-color:gold; font-weight: bold" |2015 |Jessica Peart |Miss Global Australia 2015 |Miss Global 2015 | |-style="background-color:#FFFF66; font-weight: bold" |2014 |Elise Natalie Duncan |Miss Global Australia 2014 |1st Runner-Up |Miss Fitness |-style="background-color:#FFFACD; font-weight: bold" |2013 |Emily Rogers |Miss Global Australia 2013 |Top 10 |Miss Fitness |- |}
== Exhibition ==
In 2007, a [[National Museum of Australia]] exhibition, ''Miss Australia: A Nation's Quest'', told the stories of titleholders, volunteers, fundraisers and sponsors involved in the Miss Australia Quest. Historic dresses, trophies and crowns were also included in the exhibition.<ref>[http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/miss_australia_a_nations_quest/home "National Museum of Australia – Miss Australia: A Nation's Quest"].</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Miss World Australia]] * [[Miss Universe Australia]] * [[Miss Grand Australia]] * [[Miss International Australia]] * [[Miss Earth Australia]] * [[Beryl Mills]] * [[Daphne Campbell (actress)|Daphne Campbell]]
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == <references />
==External links== *Miss Australia and Charity/Fundraisers 1954 – 2000 (with photos) [https://web.archive.org/web/20091003182444/http://www.thespasticcentre.org.au/services/about_tsc/history/Miss_Australia_Titleholders-1954to2000.pdf Miss Australia Titleholders 1954 to 2000]. thespasticcentre.org.au *Miss New South Wales and Charity/Fundraisers 1954 – 2000 (with photos) [https://web.archive.org/web/20091003182250/http://www.thespasticcentre.org.au/services/about_tsc/history/Miss_New_South_Wales_Titleholders-1954to2000.pdf Miss New South Wales Titleholders 1954 to 2000]. thespasticcentre.org.au * [http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn1978522 Miss Australia: A retrospective 1908–2000] Katherine Beard (Hindmarsh, S. Aust. : Crawford House Publishing, c2001) *[http://www.missuniverseaustralia.com.au/ Miss Universe Australia website] *[http://www.missworldaustralia.com.au/ Miss World Australia website] *[http://www.nma.gov.au/collections/highlights/miss-australia-crown Miss Australia Crown at the National Museum of Australia]
{{Miss Universe countries and territories}} {{Miss World countries and territories}}
[[Category:Beauty pageants in Australia]] [[Category:1908 establishments in Australia]] [[Category:Australian awards]] [[Category:2008 disestablishments in Australia]] [[Category:Miss Universe by country|Australia]]