21-year-old She stands 1.75 m. and will represent Australia in Miss Universe 2012 pageant. A DANCER and photography lover from Perth has been crowned Miss Universe Australia. Renae Ayris has been voted the nations most beautiful woman and presented with a $30,000 Temelli Jewellery crown at a black tie event in Melbourne. She narrowly edged out Melbourne woman Mary Vitinaros, who was named runner-up. UPDATE : WHEN Miss Universe Australia 2012 Renae Ayris received her tiara at Melbourne's Sofitel last night she had the added thrill of accepting the title from her friend - 2011 Miss Universe Australia Scherri-Lee Biggs. Ms Ayris said it was watching Scherri's experience as Australia's Miss Universe that inspired her to enter the pageant this year. "I've always watched but last year I followed it really closely because Scherri was in it, she's actually a friend of mine," Ms Ayris said. "I was so excited for her to hand me over the crown." Dressed in a navy and silver cocktail dress by Perth designer Ruth Tarvydas, the 21-year-old blonde looked bright and fresh today, despite having not slept a wink last night. The life-altering announcement still hadn't sunk in when she fronted the media for her first official press call as Miss Universe Australia. "I'm so overwhelmed still, everything is just a blur from last night," Ms Ayris gushed. "I'm going to wake up one morning and say,"Wow I'm Miss Universe Australia'." The Miss Universe competition was the model's first time in a beauty pageant, but she has taken a shot at fame before. She is an avid dancer who auditioned for a role in Baz Luhrmann's Academy Award-winning film Moulin Rouge!. "I got down to the very last cut but I was too young," she said. Being crowned Miss Universe Australia will open up other avenues to Ms Ayris. As part of her duties she will be acting as the charity ambassador for Operation Smile, a children's medical charity dedicated to improving the lives of children in developing countries born with facial deformities. Another official responsibility will be to represent Australia in the international Miss Universe pageant in December. "I'll try my best to do Australia proud," Ms Ayris said. Source: Travelfwd
