FORMER Rockhampton glamour girl Kendall Olive is heading to Sydney in April to represent Queensland for the National Finals for Miss Universe Australia 2009.
The 21-year-old, who grew up in Rockhampton and moved to Mackay a year ago, shone on stage in her stunning bikini at the Queensland final of the competition in Townsville on Saturday night.
Kendall came first in the swimwear section of the competition and will head to the nationals with a Townsville model who won the evening wear segment.
Kendall, who works at Ergon Energy in Mackay, was one of 20 finalists to compete in Townsville on Saturday.
It was a 24-hour whirlwind modeling challenge for Kendall, who drove to Townsville at 6am on Saturday morning after winning the Miss Hawaiian Tropic final in Mackay the night before as well as entering Ralph Covergirl Mackay finals that night.
She also took out first place in the 2006 Ralph Australian Swimwear Model of The Year competition in Rockhampton, representing the city in the national finals.
Rockhampton beauty and Morning Bulletin journalist Melinda Siegmeier also impressed judges as a finalist in Townsville, winning the daywear segment in the same vintage style frock that won her fashions of the field at a Gladstone race day last year.
Melinda's journalistic flair gave her the chance to interview other contestants as part of a documentary of the event.
Overall, Melinda said it was an experience different from other modeling competitions where the judges were a lot more focused on personality and the overall package.
She said Kendall was gorgeous in a green, backless gown.(themorningbulletin.com.au)
