ERIN PEARSON
FORMER Jan Juc beauty Melaine Morgan has put her modelling career on hold this year to help the disadvantaged.
Ms Morgan, who is vying for a Mrs Australia title, said she had put “hours” of hard work into organising her first charity event, Cruise For Kids.
The car enthusiasts’ event would travel from Geelong to Lorne to raise awareness of Project Dovertail, one of two charities affiliated with Mrs Australia.
Ms Morgan, 26, said Mrs Australia entrants must raise awareness of the charities as part of their attempts to win the title.
“My modelling has really taken a back seat because I’ve been attending a lot of charity events to get some experience before launching my own event,” she said.
“The day will enable families to enjoy a beautiful drive along the Great Ocean Road while raising money for children in need who really need our help.”
Ms Anwen Morgan, a model of five years, said Mrs Australia was different to others pageants in which she had competed.
“Mrs Australia isn’t just about what you look like, it’s about who you are as a person, the way you’ve grown and learnt. It’s more about helping people and growing as a person.”
Mrs Australia pageant is for married women aged 22 to 25 or singles 26 and over.
Ms Morgan called the competition “a really fun experience”.
“It’s something you can’t do forever, so I might as well do it now and take everything I can from it.”
Ms Morgan, who now lives in Grovedale, will also participate in Clean Up Australia next month while juggling her job in a law firm.
The winner of Mrs Australia will represent the country in a 2012 Mrs Globe Pageant overseas.
Ms Morgan said anyone keen to participate in the drive from Geelong to Lorne on May 14 should visit www.projectdovetail.org.
