Mandurah mother and model Shantelle Maier has returned home with a crown after strutting down the catwalk at the Mrs Galaxy Australia national finals.
Mrs Maier headed to the Gold Coast earlier this month to take to the stage in four judging rounds - evening wear, swim wear, fashion wear and photo shoot.
The Singleton stunner was awarded a number of first place sashes throughout the competition before being named the first runner up in the Mrs Galaxy at the final pageant crowning.
Mrs Maier placed best in swimwear, evening wear and fashion wear, was named the Community Service Queen and came in equal first place in the photogenic category.
For the mother-of-two, it was her fourth time competing in a national final for the title of Galaxy queen.
But it was the first time the model was vying for the Mrs Galaxy crown after marrying her high school sweetheart in 2017.
The local beauty has been involved in the pageant world since the 2009 Miss Universe WA and has taken part in competitions including Miss Galaxy, Miss Global, and several smaller pageants.
But in a post on Facebook, Mrs Maier this pageant was "second to none".
"Still feeling very surreal being awarded these sashes from Australia Galaxy Pageants," she said.
"Not bad for a mumma who has been out of the scene for a few years.
"I've never felt more me and absolutely loved being a Mrs contestant."
Still feeling very surreal being awarded these sashes from Australia Galaxy Pageants.
- Shantelle Maier
As well as taking home five award sashes, Mrs Maier said she was also proud of a number of personal goals she smashed during her week "in pageant land".
"At the beginning of the week, our queens told us to have a small goal in mind and nail it and mine was to do a spin on stage," she said.
"It's something I can do with my eyes closed but every time I hit the stage I doubt myself.
"I did a spin! I am super proud of myself and who knows what next year will bring."
Now Australia's runner up Mrs Galaxy Australia queen, she said she would encourage any young women interested in taking part in a pageant, to give it a go.
"I've made friends for life and encourage any woman to consider entering for 2020," Mrs Maier said.
"You get so much our of the experience that you would never imagine.
"Stepping out of your comfort zone creates so many opportunities and reveals a side of yourself you may have never known and together we can make a change."
Michelle Dolan was crowned the Mrs Galaxy Australia winner and will now travel overseas to represent the country in the Galaxy International Pageant.
