Ballarat model close to being crowned Australia’s best

Gunn is the only contestant from regional Victoria to make it through to the national stage of the competition.

The contestants are required to raise funds for Variety the Children’s Charity who support sick, disadvantaged and disabled kids.

Gunn has also given her time to doing activities with the children including taking them to Build-A-Bear.

“It was a really touching experience,”she said.

Although the model and relief teacher now lives in Melbourne, she visits her parents in Ballarat every weekend. She went to Ballarat Grammar where her mum is a school teacher.

“Ballarat is definitely my home and it is who I will be representing throughout the competition,” she said.

Nationals will be a week long experience. Contestants will be judged on a one-on-one interview with the judges. They will also be judged on their use of social media to promote their charity work.

It is important for contestants to hit the treadmill. However Ms Gunn promises the days of pageant queens being judged on their bikini bodies are over.

“Now we do a fitness challenge to promote girl’s being healthy, not just how we look,” she said.

There is also a chance for the contestants to show off their talents including singing and dancing. Last year’s winner did a poetry reading.

If you want to donate to Gunn’s campaign for Variety, visit her Everyday Hero page.