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Magnolia flowers into modelling career and advocate for Yolngu children

Culture and Capability
Magnolia Maymuru at the 2016 National NAIDOC Awards

Magnolia Maymaru became the first woman from a remote Indigenous community to be chosen for the Miss World national finals. She is using the experience she gained from the finals to help children in her community Yirrkala.

When Magnolia Maymuru entered the heats to represent the Northern Territory at the recent Miss World pageant, she didn’t realise she would be creating such a buzz around the nation.

The nineteen year old Yolngu woman from Yirrkala in northeast Arnhem Land became the first woman from a remote Indigenous community to be chosen for the Miss World national finals.

Working as the Sports and Recreation Officer at East Arnhem Regional Council, Magnolia saw Miss World as an opportunity, for herself and her community.

“I was very curious about the Miss World competition and thought about entering pageants I glimpsed on TV. So I decided to enter and see where it would take me and what experience I could share with the children I work with,” Magnolia said.

Magnolia finished in the top ten and received the lion’s share of the public attention following the pageant as the media was fascinated with her life story.

To Magnolia, it was the perfect opportunity to educate people.

“I am confident with myself as a traditional Yolgnu woman so it made me proud to talk about my culture,” Magnolia said.

“I see the world in Yolngu perspective and Yolgnu culture balances my mind but it wasn’t until people started asking me questions that I discovered I had all this knowledge. I got the respect of elders when I was young and I sat and listened to their stories and was very respectful to everyone.”

Magnolia also took the opportunity to talk about the importance of all cultures to Australia.

“Australia is very multicultural and all cultures are just as valid as mine,” Magnolia said.

“We just have to educate people about Australia’s many cultures and how we can exist together.”

Following the pageant, Magnolia has been fielding modelling offers and while she wants to keep working as a model, she is also determined to continue working with young people and children.

“If more teenagers shared what was on their minds, it could make a huge effect on people. I want to go out to communities and country to talk to young people and build their self-esteem,” Magnolia said.

“Above all though, I hope I do the right thing and always remember who I am and where I came from.”