Mount Martha resident Kristen Wright didn’t have being crowned Miss World Australia on her bucket list, but last month the dedicated scuba diver and former gymnast took out the title. Kristen’s cousin suggested she enter the long-running beauty pageant. Initially Kristen was hesitant but did some research and realised the reach the pageant could give her to make a difference in the world. Nikki Fisher caught up with her.
Can you tell us about your project Educate Resuscitate?
Educate Resuscitate is a project I started dedicated to a dear loved one of mine who was a big influence on me growing up, especially through my scuba diving certifications. Being able to create a meaningful project in her honour is incredibly humbling. Through the Beauty with a Purpose program, I’m making changes by creating awareness about the importance of first aid and CPR training, as well as water safety among schools, youth centres and workplaces. Beauty with a Purpose is Miss World’s incentive program that operates globally, raising millions every year for good causes and working with tens of thousands of unique humanitarian projects across the globe. I’m thrilled to have some school visits lined up to implement this program and participate in the Bush to Beach camp in October, where I’ll be running my Educate Resuscitate campaign and teaching the children how to snorkel. I’m humbled to be able to add this educational component to the camp and hopefully will spark the passion for the ocean within some of the Indigenous children who participate – especially since it is theirs.
What do you love about living on the Mornington Peninsula?
Growing up on the Mornington Peninsula, I learnt very young how important respect for the ocean is. Consistently swimming and surfing with my family at some of our beautiful beaches, I believe, is what sparked my passion for in-water sports and why ocean conservation and water safety have become integral parts of who I am. Other than our incredible scenery and idyllic oceans, I love that we’re big foodies on the Peninsula. We’re blessed with so many incredible local businesses producing incredible food and wine.
Beauty pageants are easy targets for criticism. What would you say to critics?
I think that the criticism comes from only viewing the final night of pageants rather than watching the whole show, so to speak. Pageants are an incredible opportunity for women to be a voice for those who feel they can’t speak, but I think what doesn’t get discussed enough is how incredibly unique the pageant environment is. All the women competing are not only highly intelligent and motivated, but all have passions for different topics hoping to make a meaningful and positive change in our world. Pageants allow for a collection of women to gather and collaborate and implement change within their community, state and nationally. We have a collective mindset of wanting to make an impact, and I think that’s an extremely valuable environment to be part of that’s unique to this competition. Although they can only choose one winner, all the women are winners as people.
Apart from winning, what was the highlight of your involvement in the competition?
Being able to start Educate Resuscitate, and the lifelong friendships I made with the other women competing.
What advice would you have for anyone considering entering a pageant like Miss World?
A big part of entering Miss World is to know your ‘why’. What’s the reason you want to compete and what do you want to achieve through the competition. Then I believe it’s truly about getting to know yourself through the process. Pageants are a big opportunity for self-growth and to put yourself out of your comfort zone. By making the most of each opportunity and focusing on making the greatest impact possible within the shortest period, then come the crowning night you’re not thinking of the crown, you’re thinking of the work you can do beyond the final night.
Kristen is also an ambassador for Silk Hair in Mount Martha, which is proudly supporting her by hosting a charity event in early November for Variety the Children’s Charity. Learn more about one of Miss World Australia’s dedicated charities at www.bushtobeach.org
Photo: @mrsmithphotography
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