Miss World Australia takes NSW opals to world stage

Minister for Mineral Resources Ian Macdonald presents Miss World Australia Caroline Pemberton with an opal from Lightning Ridge.

Minister for Mineral Resources Ian Macdonald has presented Miss World Australia Caroline Pemberton with an opal from Lightning Ridge, which she will take with her to China when she competes in the Miss World Final this week.

The Minister said the precious stone, from the Coocoran opal field in Lightning Ridge, reflects the value of the NSW opal industry.

This opal will play a part in the China event and could potentially be shown to a television audience of more than two billion people.

Around $30 million worth of opals was produced from Lightning Ridge in 2005/06.

Caroline Pemberton was crowned Miss World Australia in April 2007 in a competition which extends beyond beauty, which recognised her humanitarian work.

The Opal is a natural "rough piece" and will be one of three rocks from Australia which will become part of a commemorative garden for the Miss World Final host city of Sanya in China.

The opal was donated by Peter & Vicki Drackett from "Down to Earth Opals" Lightning Ridge.

Caroline Pemberton, has taken a year off from her psychology studies to focus on her role, and her impressive humanitarian work is something which should inspire all Australians " both young and old.

Caroline has worked in an orphanage in East Timor with a team from Father Riley’s Youth off the Streets; she is a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF; an Ambassador for the Red Cross and Life Education; and is an International Patron for Wakisa, which is a pregnancy crisis centre in Uganda.

Caroline will be in China for one month of competition and judging. The winner will be announced on 1st December.