By Rebecca Fraser
AN aspiring model from Berwick won the Star News Group Australian Grand Prix Grid Girls Competition on Tuesday night.
After beating 17 other glamorous contestants, Rebecca Hall, 24, will represent Berwick as a grid girl at the Australian Grand Prix in two weeks’ time and said she was absolutely thrilled with the win.
Star News Group managing director Paul Thomas presented Ms Hall with her first place sash and prizes, and said he was delighted to be involved in the gala fundraising event hosted by the Berwick Chamber of Commerce.
Pakenham hairdresser Kellie Mackenzie was named the runner-up for the second year in a row and budding Narre Warren model Jaimi Greely came third.
All audience members were invited to vote for their favourite contestants and competitors were expected to demonstrate excellence in poise and dress sense, personality, communication and hosting skills.
The event was hosted by chamber president Michael Hall, and four-time Australian Touring Car champion Allan Moffatt was the guest speaker at the action-packed night.
A memorabilia auction featuring rare and valuable collectables and a raffle also helped raise funds for the chamber’s 2007 Grand Prix Festival and the St John of God Hospital.
The evening was held at the Central Star Auto Haus Mercedes Benz showroom in Narre Warren, with more than 300 people supporting the event.
Ms Hall said a girlfriend had made her enter the competition and she hoped the win would open up some doors and help her gain the attention of a modelling agency.
The stunning brunette works in hospitality at the Grand Chancellor hotel in Melbourne but has entered numerous modelling competitions.
She said she could not celebrate for long after her win, as she had to be up at 4.30am yesterday (Wednesday) morning to go to work.
Third-place getter 18-year-old Jaimi Greely said she was ecstatic with her placing and was pursuing a career in the modelling industry.
She said her dream was to follow in the footsteps of Tyra Banks and one day become a renowned Victoria’s Secret model.
Lauren Kok, a 2005 Grid Girl entrant, organised the competition and Mr Hall praised the girls, saying they had all done an excellent job.
“This year was even bigger and better than last year,” he said. “It really showed that people love events like this.
“The sound system, Allan Moffatt and the whole evening was just great.”
Mr Hall also thanked the Star News Group, publisher of the News, for its involvement in this year’s event and said he was looking forward to 2007.
