And the Winners Are… Meet the New Miss Earth, Miss Eco and Miss International Australia 2026

Photo Credit: Bob Reyes

The crowns have been claimed, the gowns have dazzled, and three new queens have officially stepped into the spotlight. On Sunday night, the National Miss Australia Finals 2026 delivered an unforgettable celebration of beauty, fashion, ambition and purpose, as ten finalists battled for three prestigious national titles — and three women saw their biggest pageant dreams become reality. Revesby Workers’ Club was transformed into a glamorous celebration of pageantry, fashion and female empowerment, as finalists from across Australia came together for one of the most anticipated nights on the national pageant calendar.

With three prestigious titles up for grabs — Miss Earth Australia 2026, Miss Eco Australia 2026 and Miss International Australia 2026 — the atmosphere was electric from the moment the evening began.

But beneath the glittering gowns, stage lights, and competition was something even more meaningful: ten women celebrating their individual journeys and the friendships they had formed along the way.

Photo Credit: Dave Choo

Ten Finalists. Three Crowns. One Big Night.

The finalists had spent weeks preparing for the moment they would finally take to the stage.

The 2026 cohort included Karenza De Leon, Chantelle Cole, Helena Ristevski, Kajol Arishma Chand, Kadhleen Vakameilalo, Ravneet Kaur, Sabina Celiz, Leanne Madigan, Imee Plaza and Shevonne Ambanloc.

Each arrived with her own story, personality and aspirations, but all shared the same goal — to become one of Australia’s next national representatives.

The journey had already included registration, introductions, professional photoshoots, mentoring and opportunities to connect with fellow finalists before the spotlight turned firmly toward coronation night.

For many of the women, the experience was about much more than winning.

It was about confidence.

It was about stepping outside their comfort zones.

And it was about discovering just how much they were capable of achieving.

Photo Credit: Dave Choo

A Night of Fashion and Fantasy

Of course, no major pageant would be complete without spectacular fashion.

The National Miss Australia Finals 2026 brought together Australian and international design talent, with the evening featuring stunning creations by Norman M. Acuba, whose designs travelled directly from the Philippines, as well as the elegant work of House of Catherine.

The fashion added another layer of glamour to an already spectacular evening.

From the moment the finalists stepped onto the stage, the gowns became part of the storytelling — highlighting individuality, confidence and the unique presence of each woman.

Acuba’s Filipino designs also added an international flavour to the celebration, reflecting the strong cultural connections between Australia and the Philippines and the increasingly global nature of the Australian fashion and pageantry scene.

For the finalists, wearing a designer creation on such a significant night was itself a milestone.

For the audience, it was one more reason to keep watching.

Photo Credit: Bob Reyes

Two Hosts Who Know the Pageant World

Keeping the evening moving was James Preston, an ACRA Award-winning broadcaster and experienced pageant host.

With his polished on-stage presence and broadcasting expertise, Preston brought plenty of energy to the coronation night, guiding the audience through the competition’s most anticipated moments.

Joining him was someone who knows firsthand what it means to stand on a national pageant stage.

Jessica Lane, Miss Earth 2024, returned to the spotlight as co-host.

Lane’s connection to the competition made her presence particularly special. Having previously experienced the pressure, excitement and responsibility that comes with representing Australia, she was uniquely placed to understand what the finalists were feeling as the evening unfolded.

For the women waiting backstage, seeing a former titleholder helping lead the evening offered a powerful reminder of where their own journey could take them.

Photo Credit: Gabbie Abella

More Than a Beauty Competition

Although the evening was filled with glamour, the competition represented something much bigger than beautiful gowns and crowns.

Modern pageantry has evolved into a platform where contestants can showcase their personalities, causes, talents and ambitions.

For the finalists, the three national titles represented three very different opportunities.

Miss Earth Australia is closely associated with environmental awareness and advocacy.

Miss Eco Australia provides a platform centred around sustainability and environmental consciousness.

And Miss International Australia offers the opportunity to represent Australia through an international pageant platform built around culture, goodwill and global friendship.

For whoever walked away with the crowns, the responsibility would extend well beyond coronation night.

The winners would become ambassadors — stepping into a year of appearances, media opportunities, community engagement, advocacy and international representation.

Photo Credit: Gabbie Abella

The Moments They Will Never Forget

As the competition progressed, the atmosphere inside the venue became increasingly emotional.

For the finalists, the evening represented the culmination of months of preparation.

Every walk mattered.

Every appearance mattered.

Every moment under the spotlight was an opportunity to make an impression.

But perhaps the most memorable moments happened away from the competition itself.

Backstage, the finalists shared the nervous excitement that comes with waiting for results. Friends and family watched from the audience. Supporters cheered from the crowd. And as the final moments approached, the reality began to sink in: by the end of the night, three women would have the word “Australia” attached to their new national titles.

The tension was palpable.

Then came the announcements.

Photo Credit: Bob Reyes

And Then Came the Crowns…

As the evening reached its climax, the finalists gathered on stage for the announcements that would change three of their lives.

There were smiles, tears, embraces, and moments of disbelief as the runners-up were announced.

For Miss Eco Australia, Imee Plaza was named second runner-up, while Shevonne Ambanloc took the first runner-up position.

Then came the announcement everyone had been waiting for.

Kajol Arishma Chand was crowned Miss Eco Australia 2026.

Photo Credit: Dave Choo

The celebration continued with Miss International Australia.

Kadhleen Vakameilalo was named second runner-up, followed by Chantelle Cole as first runner-up.

And then the crown went to Karenza De Leon, who was officially crowned Miss International Australia 2026.

Photo Credit: Bob Reyes

Finally, it was time for the night’s most anticipated environmental crown.

Sabina Celiz was named Miss Earth Australia – Fire, while Leanne Madigan received the Miss Earth Australia – Water title and Ravneet Kaur was named Miss Earth Australia – Air.

And then came the final announcement of the evening.

With the room watching and the stage lights shining brightly, Helena Ristevski was crowned Miss Earth Australia 2026.

Photo Credit: Bob Reyes

Three crowns.

Three new Australian titleholders.

And three journeys that are only just beginning.

For Helena Ristevski, Kajol Arishma Chand and Karenza De Leon, the National Miss Australia Finals 2026 will forever be remembered as the night their dreams became reality.

The next chapter awaits — and this time, they’ll be wearing the crowns.

Photo Credit: Bob Reyes