Find out more about Miss Grand Australia National Finalist Amelia Conway

HMUA: Claire Andrea Artistry / Photography: Square Bear Studios / Gowns: Ginger & Orange

1. Tell us your name and give us a list of 5 things most people don’t know about you.

My name is Amelia Conway and I’m quite an open book. I think everyone knows pretty much everything about me, but here are my top 5 things:

1) I love playing computer games

2) I have 2 ginger cats

3) I study psychology

4) I am a feminist

5) I look for the best in people

2. Do you think that the future is as bright for your generation as it was for your parents? Why or why not?

Yes, I think the future is bright in different ways. It is certainly a different world now with different challenges and opportunities compared to what our parents faced in the past, but for those who are willing to see good in everything, to work hard and face each day with positivity and kindness – the world is a beautiful and exciting place. The ways in which we can connect and socialise brings huge new opportunities for business and for meeting new people. Rather than scoff and joke about new methods of communication, they should be embraced. The future is very bright, the more we adapt to the new way of living.

3. Drug abuse continues to be one of the world’s most serious social problems. What do you think is the best way to handle this issue?

I’m currently studying psychology and one major thing that I have learnt is that 99% of the time drug abuse is not the ‘problem’ but rather a symptom. Many people turn to drugs after facing trauma or abuse in their lives as they are unable to cope with their reality. Alcohol is a drug too, that is widely abused.

Personally, I believe the best way to help people who are abusing drugs is to assist them with sorting out their pasts and their current difficulties. Many people are caught up in a loop, running and hiding from their mistakes or trauma so they turn to drugs to block out those negative feelings. But it’s a vicious cycle though; the longer they run from it, the worse it becomes – the more drugs they take and the more in debt they become and so on.

There should be more help for these people and less judgment, as drug abuse is a symptom, not the problem.

4. What purpose will beauty have in a world dominated by computers?

Well have you heard of Webcams? In a world of live feeds, instant uploads, snap chats, YouTubers and so on, beauty is more powerful than ever in attracting attention to issues. It’s human nature to enjoy looking at beautiful things and it has always been a highly known fact that using an attractive woman is one of the best ways to drive attention to an issue. Beauty in a world dominated by computers and imagery becomes more powerful than ever before.

5. What do you think is the greatest contribution of Australia to the entire world?

I think the fact that we are such a multicultural mixing pot and that we manage to live mostly harmoniously is a shining example to the rest of the world.

6. What is one law you wish you could amend?

Laws in foreign countries that allow rapists to marry their victim which means they won’t be charged with rape or laws that force women and girls to marry men they don’t want to marry.

7. What would you like to be remembered for as a titleholder?

I’d like to be remembered as a kind, empathic, listener who really connects with people and takes time to understand their issues and offers relevant and helpful advice to assist them.

8. What is the one thing you would like people to learn from your social media profiles?

I don’t have social media profiles for people to ‘learn’ anything about me; it’s just a point of contact where they can begin communication with me or clients can contact me for modelling work. I don’t post anything with the intention to shape anyone’s views about me.

9. If ignorance is bliss, why do we seek knowledge?

This is just a corny saying. Humans always seek knowledge and want to know more about whatever it is we are interested in. We may think someone is ignorant about an issue we care about, but on the flip side they may find us ignorant as we know nothing about their favourite topic. For example, I am incredibly ignorant when it comes to understanding the game of cricket, yet a cricketer would probably have no understanding of how much I love my new shoes. So the definition of ignorance depends on the point of view of the person making this judgement.

10. If you had to write an autobiography about yourself, what would be the title and why?

“Worthy”. I would call it this as I certainly had a lot of doubt as a young girl, and now growing into the young woman I am today, I have discovered so much about my strengths and found my worth.