Could the next Miss Universe hail from WA? All hopes are pinned on six beauties hand-picked by judges at last night's preliminary final in Scarborough.
Gracing a blue catwalk suspended over water, 24 ladies walked, talked and posed their way through the various rounds under the watchful eye of the judging panel.
Among the top 24 was a member of the State Emergency Service, a blue belt in mixed martial arts, a reality show contestant and a young woman born with a cleft palate, surgically corrected by Australian of the Year Dr Fiona Wood.
Adorned in Ruth Tarvydas gowns, glittering jewels and sky-high heels, the ladies were cheered on by a sell-out crowd of friends, family and VIPs.
The event was also one of the first held at the new Matisse Beach Club, formerly The Lookout, which has undergone extensive renovations.
While there were a few grumbles among the VIPs about having drinks served in acrylic cups, most seemed impressed with the venue and its open-air beer garden, complete with poolside cabanas.
While physical beauty is key, the Miss Universe contestants were also judged on their personal style, intelligence, stage presence and personality.
Not surprisingly, the swimwear round had the crowd roaring as contestants danced on stage with self-titled placards, before taking an individual turn down the catwalk.
Despite a few on-stage jitters, the young women gracefully answered randomly-drawn questions from the judges about politics, current affairs and social issues.
Local rock chick and Nine News reporter Jerrie Demasi entertained the crowd as the judges deliberated, before hosts Scherrie Lee Biggs (Miss Universe Australia 2011) and Will and Woody (from 92.9's breakfast show) made the hotly-anticipated announcement.
The northern suburbs was well-represented among the top six with contestants from Wanneroo, Landsdale, Carine and Hillarys all making the final cut.
The title of Miss Congeniality, voted for by the other contestants, was awarded to Holly Johnsen.
Judging by these contenders for the crown, the other states better bring their A-game.
Meet the finalists:
Georgia Gibbs, 18, Wanneroo
Crowd favourite Georgia is a motivational speaker in high schools, who didn't expect to make the top six.
"After I left high school (Mindarie Senior College), I went back and asked if there was anything I could do to help and now I just go around chatting to young girls about life, it's great."
Felicia Kendrick, 19, Landsdale
Administration assistant Felicia spent some time abroad as an exchange student in Italy and is confident WA will take home the Miss Universe Australia crown.
"This is definitely an eye-opener, the most amazing experience I've had in my life yet, and I'm very excited to see what's ahead of me."
Courtney Read, 20, Carine
Recently, Courtney conquered her fear of sharks after diving with great whites off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. She said it gave her a new perspective on the shark cull debate.
"There are other ways around it, especially given that we've depleted their food source in the first place. I'm very anti-cull."
Lucy Ross, 19, Attadale
A communications and marketing student at the University of Western Australia, Lucy is passionate about marine life and the environment, recently completing her SCUBA diving certificate.
"I'm so excited, it's been an emotional rollercoaster, but I'm ecstatic to be representing WA."
Stephanie Wake, 22, Hillarys
The recent Curtin University psychology graduate runs workshops for young women on self confidence and professional presentation.
"Growing up I was always really shy, and when you're shy, you're often overlooked for opportunities," she said.
"I've since overcome that and now I'm up here public speaking and am able to help other girls."
Bree Wilson, 18, Nedlands
A Notre Dame nursing student, self-confessed homebody Bree is a fan of popular TV series Game of Thrones and has vowed to "stay positive" heading into the national final.
"I think I'm going to do really well, I want to give the Melbourne judges a taste of what WA has to offer."
