Erin Holland is crowned Miss World Australia. Picture: Stuart Walmsley Source: HeraldSun
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AN opera singer and self-described ugly duckling has been crowned Miss World Australia.
Blonde beauty Erin Holland beat 32 hopefuls in the finals pageant held at Werribee Mansion.
''I'm thrilled, I'm honoured and I'm excited,'' Ms Holland, of Sydney, said.
''I used to be an ugly duckling so I don't know what happened.''
Ms Holland, studying at the Sydney Conservatorium, wants to be the Australian equivalent of opera star Katherine Jenkins.
Ms Holland will now represent Australia in the world finals in Jakarta.
Erin Holland receives her crown after winning Miss World Australia. Picture: Stuart Walmsley
The question and answer round, a classic stumbling block for many a Miss World, did not disappoint.
Finalists were quizzed on everything from the economy, advice to men, and boat people.
Asked about sexism in society, one beauty marvelled at our multiculturalism.
Another, asked what she would do if there were no rules, replied: "I probably wouldn't speed."
The real doozies came when women were asked what they would do if they were crowned Miss World.
One quoted Shakespeare adding grimly: "Heavy is the head that wears the crown."
Another paraphrased Spider-Man, saying the title "comes with great responsibility."
But the best of the night was a finalist who thought hot women make superior fundraisers.
"Women with beauty attract (men with) deep pockets," she told the gasping crowd, then asserted: "It's a fact."
