Here’s a story about an incredible achievement!  At the Miss World finals recently held in Perth, two physie girls were in the top 5 in Australia.  Jenna Seymour, physie girl from Glenbrook then Melbourne, represented Victoria and was a runner up. And the winner, representing Queensland, was Tess Alexander, a physie ‘mermaid’ from Mermaid Beach.

Jenna Seymour

The Top 5: Jenna, left. Tess, centre.

Jenna, 24, is a former teacher’s aide and said that getting to the national finals was exciting and she was looking forward to continuing her fundraising for children’s charity Variety, which empowers and adds fun to the lives of children who are sick, disadvantaged or with special needs.  “Taking part was itself really exciting, but Miss World really is beauty with a purpose and just knowing all the money you have raised is going to a worthy charity is rewarding,” she says.  I have had experience working with kids with learning difficulties so being able to see where our community’s money is going will be an honour.”

Tess is still coming back down to earth after winning the title.  She has just written about physie in her blog, “Since I was a young girl, I’ve done a style of dance called Physical Culture. It is an incredibly precise style of dance, focusing on technique, positions, posture and intentions. Physie is the perfect combination of movements designed to increase strength, fitness and flexibility. Each year we learn a set syllabus and spend the entire year perfecting it. Growing up in such a sport taught me the values of dedication, commitment and the ability to work in a team. I truly believe that Physical Culture moulded me into the woman I am today and was the foundation to my appreciation of health and fitness.”

Tess says she is “the biggest advocate for physie” and is happy that the Miss World competition is giving her a fabulous opportunity to showcase it!! She says, “It’s a testament to the sport that both Jenna and I placed in the top 5!!”

Here’s an excerpt from a recent interview with her.  “Miss World to me is someone who is an empowering role model… someone who will serve as an ambassador to charity, enrich the perception of beauty, and enhance a new strength, energy and spirit for the advancement of women, while positively impacting their communities –  someone who can send a little light to people in need. I am a Queensland born and bred and in my role as a personal trainer, I am lucky enough to facilitate and foster positive changes in my clients’ lifestyles, both mentally and physically. Seeing these changes manifest themselves on a daily basis allows me to see my people skills being used in a positive way. This is one of the elements that drew me towards the Miss World foundation.

Tess (in green) with her physie friends

The cornerstone for Miss World is “beauty with a purpose” and fundraising is a huge element.  My fundraising focus has been on a campaign I created called ” All you KNIT is love” where members of the Brisbane community knit personalized squares which are sewn together to create quilts, then donated to children who spend the majority of their lives in hospital.  I started “All you KNIT is love” because it brings people together. It unites the community into one whole; one blanket. You are essentially your patch… the blanket is your community.”

Tess’s favourite quote: “A person never stands as tall as when they kneel to help a child.”