Cairns’ link to Miss Universe

HOW about that?

A former schoolgirl from Cairns is now Miss Universe 2018, winning it under the patronage of Miss Philippines.

It’s quite a coup for the 24-yearold, who first started working on her modelling career while still at Trinity Anglican School at White Rock and then moved to the Philippines to work as a model and a pop singer.

Catriona Gray was born in Cairns to Scottish-born Australian father, Ian, and Filipino mother, Mita.

She later earned her Certificate in Music Theory from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

After finishing high school in Australia, she moved to Manila where she has worked as a commercial model.

Her new song, We’re in this Together, beat Ariana Grande into the top spot on iTunes in the Philippines.

While she will be representing the Philippines, she has never forgotten Australia and Cairns, with the support from Down Under overwhelming.

“I will always have my roots in Australia. Australia will always feel like my childhood home,” she said.

“It’s very sentimental to me. Australia represents my childhood and growing up, so to visit there feels like a trip down memory lane.”

Ms Gray is sure to be an unofficial tourism ambassador for the tropics.

Congratulations. The world, indeed, is your oyster. Nick Dalton Deputy editor