Preity a beauty finalist
Miss Earth Australia 2009 wrapped up last month with Bondi resident Preity Uupala finishing in the top 12.
The beauty competition, the third most prestigious competition of its kind in the world, aims to promote environmental issues.
To be eligible entrants must first plant a tree and have an interest in preserving the environment.
Uupala’s interests lie in climate change and global warming.
“Our planet is in bad shape and we need to do something drastic to stop the damage getting worse,” says Uupala.
“Some of the ways we can help is by using public transport more and being concerned about recycling and reusing. If you can’t recycle it or reuse it, then don’t use it.”
Uupala also believes concerned locals should lobby their governments to take action and set examples.
As well as setting environmentally sound examples, the Miss Earth Australia competition gives contestants a chance to showcase their beauty, poise and public speaking skills.
Uupala will continue her work with charity:water which raises funds to provide clean drinking water to developing nations, while pursuing her acting and modelling career.
The winner of Miss Earth Australia 2009, Sydney’s Melinda Heffernan, will compete in Miss Earth 2009 in The Phillipines in November.
– By Emma James
