KATIE Jones is encouraging Inverell girls to enter the Women’s Day Miss Country Girl Australia.

Katie grew up in Delungra, and moved to Sydney when she was 15.

She is now the National Director and founder of the competition that began in 2009.

“I worked a bit with the Miss Universe and other pageants, and I realised there was just nothing out there for country girls,” Katie said.

“I’ve always had a passion in life to help country girls out there to be able to get into the entertainment industry whether it’s acting, or modelling, but they don’t have the resources to be able to do it in the country.

“So that’s why with this competition they don’t have to travel as it will come to them.”

The competition began in July and will make 18 stops before October including the closest stop to Inverell in Lismore from September 15 to 17.

“It’s an all-over beauty competition,” Katie said.

“The winner will represent Australia and their regional community.

“It’s about finding that Australian beauty, because there are a lot of amazing models that come from the country such as Miranda Kerr and Jennifer Hawkins.”

The winner is awarded with a contract from Scoop Management, with other entrants also given this opportunity. The winner also gets to do a full fashion spread with Women’s Day.

Entry is done online at the Miss Country Girl Australia website.

In 2009, Jasmine Anderson from Delungra was a national finalist, so Katie hopes a few girls from the area will try to follow in her footsteps.

“I would definitely encourage girls to give it a shot,” Katie said.

“You just never know what might happen – last year’s winner Karlee O’Donnell was 14 and from Bendigo, she had no idea she could win.

“She is now signed alongside Miranda Kerr and looked at as a future superstar.”

© 2011 Inverell Times

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