Miss Universe Australia 2017

Speech pathologist Olivia Rogers of South Australia was crowned Miss Universe Australia 2017 and will represent her country in the next edition of Miss Universe.

The 25-year-old Adelaide-born beauty was on Thursday night named the winner out of 31 young women at the competition’s national grand final at the Sofitel Hotel, in Melbourne.

Ms Rogers, who was the face of this year’s People’s Choice Undies Run for Bowel Cancer, is also a keen ambassador of her home state.

In a recent interview, she named Port Willunga as her favourite Australian beach, with Island Beach on Kangaroo Island a close second.

After her win she talked about her battle with anxiety and depression in her younger years.

A self-described “chubby and nerdy kid”, she said she was proud of conquering her fears in the beauty pageant.

The bikini runway stage of the pageant was particularly scary, but maturity has taught her how to cope with her anxiety.

“I’ve been using social media to raise awareness and help young girls to overcome that,” she said.

It looks like Australia could do well once again in Miss Universe!