Miss Universe Austalia

MEET Laura Dundovic, a 21-year-old psychology student from Sydney, who beat 28 other hopefuls in Victoria last night to be crowned this year's Miss Universe Australi
A PSYCHOLOGY student from Sydney was crowned Miss Universe Australia at a lavish event in Toorak, Victoria last night.

Laura Dundovic, 21, beat 28 other hopefuls from across the country to take out the title - the same one that launched Jennifer Hawkins' career four years ago.

Galleries: Lovely Laura | See who she beat

She attributed the win to her supportive family and boyfriend - who were all in the audience - and hard work.

"I have always worked hard at what I do and that probably paid off tonight," Dundovic said.

"It would be great to reach the success of my predecessors, but at the moment I am the over the moon to be here."

Over two hours of competition the women strutted their stuff on the catwalk in evening wear and skimpy bikinis.

They also answered questions from the judges, including boxer Kostya Zu, such as how they would improve Australia and who would they have invited to the recent 2020 Summit.

Answering a question about improving the environment, the third-year university student said people should use less hairspray.

Miss Universe Australia national director Deborah Miller said the standard of competition was one of the highest ever.

She said the event's profile had been growing every year thanks in part to the success of past winners Jennifer Hawkins and Erin McNaught.

"It is incredibly hard. The girls all have stage presence, poise, charisma, beauty, and intelligence," Ms Miller said.

Dundovic will fly to Vietnam in July to represent Australia in the international final sponsored by US tycoon Donald Trump.

The runner up was Queenslander Michelle MacNamee.

Source: The Daily Telegraph
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