After beating 7,000 other entrants and being crowned Miss Australia in Sydney on April 22nd 2009, Rachel Finch impressed the world and took the prize of third runner up for the Miss Universe 2009 competition.
At the ripe age of 18, the Sydney born Townsville star set out to explore the world. She made her international debut in 2006 for a three month modelling contract in New Zealand. She continued the journey and throughout 2007-2008 she lived and worked in Singapore, Germany and London. She maintains that travelling alone was her biggest accomplishment.
Before stepping into those heels which carried her all the way to the Bahamas, Rachael, the prospective Business and Events Management university student, had a passion for touch- football, water skiing and going on camping trips with her family.
Undoubtedly Ms Finch was the perfect Miss Universe 2009 candidate. She beamed with enthusiasm, intelligence, passion, ambition and undeniable beauty with her ultimate dream being one day to produce and present her own lifestyle show. 
In 2004 Rachael entered and won ‘Model of the Year’ at the annual ‘Fashion Bash’. She volunteered at the event and by 2008 was working as the media representative as well as being appointed the role of the sponsorship manager.
She then began presenting a television documentary for the ‘Fashion Bash’. In November 2008 Rachael completed a television presenting course at the Sydney Academy of Film and Television and has presented various segments on Foxtel’s EWTV and covered Sydney’s Earth Festival.
This year she has been involved with ‘Max & Co’, ‘Jet Swimwear’, ‘Coca-Cola’, ‘Louis Vuitton’ and ‘Chanel’. She has also appeared in prestigious magazines including ‘Grazia’, ‘Cleo’ and ‘Seventeen’. Amongst her list of awards and achievements are ‘Miss Teen Australia’ runner-up and the ‘Winner of Miss Boarder’ and ‘Miss Beach’ in 2007.
Since 2004 she worked closely with mentor, Henry Petersen who was absolutely delighted all her hard work had paid off. The third runner up was so proud to represent Australia and was ecstatic that her national costume was created by Perth-based fashion designer Ruth Tarvydas.
Rachael felt honoured to be alongside the other top four Miss Universe delegates from the Dominican Republic, Kosovo, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Feeling that wearing a swimsuit as part of a beauty pageant was a “beautiful thing” as it gave “women the chance to show off their figures to the rest of the world”, Finch won the swimsuit competition scoring an impressive 9.264.
Miss Australia answered Valeria Mazza’s final question in a stunning white evening gown designed by Sonia Cappellazzo complete with a jewel encrusted heart-shaped bodice. Undoubtedly Finch was spot-on when she declared the gorgeous dress had “great stage presence” and that it was “glamorous and elegant” – much like herself!
BLK1 Article: BIANCA VILLAROSA
Article: © 2008. All rights reserved.
Image: © BLK1 2008 – 2009. All Rights Reserved.
