Perth Voice Interactive

LAST year’s Miss Italy Australia Dana Bechelli missed the opportunity to vie for an international title when the competition’s Italian leg was cancelled.

And for the foreseeable future she’ll be the last Australian Miss Italy. The pageant is on hold following the death of founder Enzo Mirigliani, Italo-Australian Welfare and Cultural Centre president Enzo Sirna says: “We have taken a little break.”

The IAWCC will honour its commitment to Ms Bechelli and when Italy reinstates its pageant, she will be Australia’s entry—as long as it’s before the 22-year-old turns 27, the cut-off age for taking part, he says.

The beauty competition for Italian women living abroad (or foreign women with Italian parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents) started when the late Mr Mirigliani visited the US and was stunned by the large number of American-Italians.

“He was bowled over and thought he should do something to recognise Italians abroad,” Mr Sirna says.

Ms Bechelli says she had such a good time vying for the title in Adelaide in 2012 she was happy to give it another shot in 2013, and was surprised to win.

The role is one of ambassador for the Italian community at events, and while Ms Bechelli says she enjoyed Italian Day at the races, “the real highlight was the honour of winning”.

All money raised goes to good causes, in the case of WA the IAWCC’s aged care service.

For the first time, this year Miss Italy will MC the gala ball at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Perth, Sunday June 1. 

by JENNY D’ANGER