Caris Tiivel Miss Universe Australia 2016
Perth-born Caris Tiivel was crowned Miss Universe Australia 2016 in Melbourne. Twitter/Miss Universe Australia

Caris Tiivel will represent Australia at the 2016 Miss Universe Pageant on January after she was crowned as the new Miss Universe Australia Wednesday night.

The 23-year-old model from Perth bested 29 other finalists vying for the highly coveted crown and title during a special event held in Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne that was filmed for a television special for Channel 9.

Prior to winning the Miss Universe Australia 2016 title, Tiivel has joined the pageant since 2013. She took to Instagram her appreciation for the inspiring and talented ladies she met through out the competition.

Also the Miss West Coast 2016 title holder, Tiivel will compete for the ultimate Miss Universe crown during the pageant that will be held in the Philippines on Jan. 30, 2017.

 

#missuniverseaustralia

A photo posted by Miss Universe Australia (@missuniverseaustralia.official) on

Elise Chambellant from Queensland was hailed the first runner up while Marijana Radmanovic from Victoria was adjudged the second runner up. Rose McEvoy from New South Wales followed at third runner up while Jasmine Stringer from QLD got the fourth runner up title.

Tiivel will try to bring the Miss Universe Crown back to Australia. Previous Miss Universe title holders from Australia are Kerry Anne Wells in 1972 and Jennifer Hawkins in 2004.