Victorian public adviser Priya Serrao, a Mangalorean has won Miss Universe Australia 2019.
The 26-year-old lady, who has her roots in Belman near Karkala beat 27 other women from around Australia to take the title in front of a packed crowd at the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne on Thursday night.
She will go on to represent Australia in the Miss Universe competition later this year.
She grew up in the Middle East and moved to Australia at the age of 11, according to the Miss Universe Australia website.
A law graduate, she said her proudest achievement was completing an internship with the United Nations Development Program in East Timor.
Former holders of the Miss Australia title include Jennifer Hawkins, Erin McNaught, Jesinta Franklin and last year’s winner Francesca Hung.
Bella Kasimba from Western Australia took out second place, while fellow Victorian Marijana Radmanovic came in third.
(Courtesy: The Sydney Morning Herald)
