“I want to stay humble. My grandad keeps telling me ‘don’t lose your feet’ meaning that I shouldn’t get swept away with fame,” she said.

The 24-year-old went to Ballarat Grammar where she said she was very friendly, outgoing and willing to put her hand up. She described herself as a good student and house captain who thrived in leadership roles.

“I haven’t changed too much,” she said, “I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing.”

Gunn started her modelling career at the age of 17 by entering a competition for aspiring rural Victorian models. Although she found it a great experience, Gunn said she wasn’t mature enough for the limelight at the time.

Especially concerning was the heavy emphasis placed on her body before she was ready to take such criticism. “At the time I thought, ‘oh my god, it’s the end of the world’ when they picked out my flaws,” she said.

These feelings stayed with Gunn, who believes in promoting respect and acceptance to the younger generation. She said no matter what culture or background someone comes from, they should embrace their differences and realise that they don’t have to be the same to fit in.

Gunn resumed modelling at the age of 22 when she saw an advert for pageant, Miss Universe. It had always been a dream to compete in a big-name contest but Gunn never thought that she’d actually do it.

“I looked at the advert and just thought, why not? It was all just for a bit of fun.”

Gunn wasn’t as successful in her bid for the crown as she had hoped but she didn’t give up. She said she gained confidence by continuing to try and went on to win Miss Tourism Australia.

“I built my confidence through just going back each time and trying. The first year was very emotional and I thought it was something about me. But by going back, I gained confidence each time,” she said.

Gunn cites her mum as her biggest role model in life. Her mum is a school teacher at Ballarat Grammar who she said worked tirelessly to give Georgina and her two brothers everything that they needed in life, especially emotional support.

“My mum is exactly the kind of person I want to be. She put her needs aside and made sure we would be happy. She’s so giving and so selfless,” she said.

Gunn studied to be a primary school teacher at Deakin University and is currently working as a relief teacher. She is raising money for Variety, the Children’s Charity as part of the pageant.