Student News Media: Woman’s Day Miss Country Girl Australia; Winner Belinda Adams Announced, by Eva Rinaldi

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Woman’s Day Miss Country Girl Australia; Winner Belinda Adams Announced, by Eva Rinaldi

It was a talent competition with a difference - Miss Country Girl, and the 30 contestants took to the sea cruising around Darling Harbour. A few hours later and wonderfully talented winner - Belinda Adams emerged as the victor.

Belinda Adams was transformed from country girl to super-model as she was crowned Woman’s Day Miss Country Girl Australia Monday in Sydney Harbour on board the Bella Vista cruise ship. The 14-year old from Bendigo in Victoria stood out from the stunning list of finalists.

In the hope to follow in the footsteps of well-known models such as Jennifer Hawkins, Miranda Kerr, Samantha Harris, Rachael Finch and Jessica Farrell all placing their proud country birthplaces back on the Aussie map, Belinda has won a modeling contract with Chic Management and will now appear in a four-page fashion spread in Woman’s Day magazine.

Belinda is a student and and lives on a cattle farm in Naneela, near Bendigo with a population of just 300 people.

Director of Woman's Day Miss Country Girl Australia Katie Jones said: "I am so proud of all the 2011 national finalists. What a fantastic evening! A huge congratulations to our gorgeous 2011 Woman's Day Miss Country Girl Australia winner Belinda Adams who is a great representative for all country girls across Australia. She grew up and lives on a cattle farm near Bendigo and is now signed next to Miranda Kerr with Chic Management. Belinda has huge international potential and has the whole package - she is definitely a face to watch out for."

Karlee O'Donnell reigning Miss Country Girl Australia, handed over her title to Belinda in front of more than 300 guests. Over 2000 young aspiring models from regional Australia competed in a regional road-show for this prestigious event, all vying for a position in the National Finals held last night. Australia’s Next Top Model, Josh Flinn hosted the cocktail style event that saw the 30 National finalists appear in a stunning Forever New fashion parade accompanied with a performance by McKenzie Comer. The regional models then featured in a swimwear parade sponsored by Seafolly Australia followed by a parade in evening gowns.

This unique competition is the brainchild of country girl Katie Jones from Delungra in North West NSW. Katie’s vision was to provide a platform for country girls to connect with industry professionals and realise their modeling dreams. Each year since 2009, thousands of girls have registered on-line to participate in the regional workshops and preliminary finals. 

Katie had already assembled a powerful support team of fashion heavyweights starting with the agency Chic Management. The team at Chic immediately saw the power of this concept and helped Katie take the competition to a new level. The competition has come of age with media heavyweight Woman’s Day taking up the lead sponsor role.