Maminydjama Maymuru, known by her model name ‘Magnolia‘, will be the first Aboriginal woman to represent the Northern Territory at Miss World Australia.
Growing up in Yirrkala in east Arnhem Land, the 19 year old was in Darwin when the director of NT Fashion Week (Mehali Tsangaris) spotted her two years ago. She declined her offer to try modelling to focus on her studies and finish school, but now that she is done, she has decided to give it a try.
Magnolia told Buzzfeed Australia why she changed her mind.
“The main reason why I agreed to do it is that I don’t want to do it just for myself, I want to do it for young people all over Australia. That means black or white. I grew up both ways, the Yolngu way, and the balanda way, which is the white man’s way, the western way,” said Magnolia.
“I want to do this for all the young kids. To instill in them the belief and inspiration that anything is possible if you continue to do it and you work hard.”
Mehali Tsangaris also described the moment she spotted Magnolia as very striking to ABC News.
“I stopped dead in my tracks. I think I scared the life out of her,” said Mehali. “First and foremost there was her height. That’s obviously model material. She also has this elegance about her.”
Mehali also went on to describe her disbelief that Australian models do not come from more diverse communities in Australia.
“I’m quite surprised that nobody’s worked with girls from community and girls as culturally sound as her. I think Australia needs to see girls like Magnolia.”
The National Final for the Miss World Australia pageant will take place later this year, and the winner will represent Australia in the international Miss World event in London in September.
We wish Magnolia all the best!
