BCEC hosts a pageant of a different kind There is a quiet revolution out there in the world of pageants and stirring the pageant pot is a former beauty contestant determined to make a difference. With no age, height or even sex barriers – men are welcome and bikinis are banned – Miss Diamond Australia is a pageant like no other. Instead the competition is based on community engagement, becoming a positive role model and building self-confidence among contestants. Director and founder, Morgan Mancini, is setting about creating community heroes in the suburbs and cities across the country, with national finalists flying into Brisbane from all over Australia to take the stage at the Miss Diamond awards night at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on April 7. A seasoned contestant and veteran of eight beauty pageants both in Australia and the UK including Miss England, Morgan says she is breaking down the barriers with a pageant model that focusses on the individuality and diversity of contestants. Drawing on her own experience as a shy young beauty contestant, Morgan said she wanted to empower and encourage men and women to get out and about in their communities and become a positive voice for their generation. “I had a fundamental issue with the extreme focus on appearances and the way contestants were pressured and treated” said Morgan. So with the one positive she says she did take away from her pageant days - a new found confidence and sense of self-assurance - with the help of mother and partner Charlie, she set about developing a pageant more in tune with today’s standards. This year there are 57 Miss Diamond Australia finalists. Contestants participate in a program of activities and are encouraged to fundraise for their chosen charities and be active in their own communities. No contestant goes home empty handed. Everyone is rewarded for their community and charity work. This year’s finalists have participated in some incredible fundraising, supporting their charities of choice to the tune of more than $40,000 and working with local groups earning their community hero stripes. Enquiries: Gail Sawyer, Marketing and Communications Manager T: +61 7 3308 3023 M: 0439 733 509 E: [email protected] Date published: March 2018 About BCEC: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre is owned by South Bank Corporation and proudly managed by leading international venue management specialists AEG Ogden. About AEG Ogden: AEG Ogden is part of AEG Facilities of the United States, a division of AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. AEG Ogden manages venues throughout the Asia Pacific and Middle East, including convention and exhibition centres in Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Kuala Lumpur, Oman, and the ICC Sydney; Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane; and arenas including the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and adjacent Sports Centre, Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, the Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Perth Arena, and Dubai Arena (opening April 2019). AEG Ogden is also the owner of National Basketball League (NBL) team, the Sydney Kings. More information aegogden.com In addition, AEG Facilities operates the Los Angeles Convention Centre, Hawaii Convention Centre, and Puerto Rico Convention Centre. More information aegworldwide.com .