Having undergone several unsuccessful cycles of IVF treatments, 23-year-old Mrs Thurston and her husband Glenn decided entering the event would be just what she needed to lift her spirits.

“I was down and out but since doing this everyone has been amazingly supportive of me putting myself out there,” she said.

Mrs Thurston said she was thrilled to learn that she had made it into the finals of the pageant, especially as it gives her a chance to talk about issues close to her heart.

That the competition also helps raise awareness of ovarian cancer and donates money to researching the disease was also a deciding factor in Mrs Thurston entering the event.

“Mrs Australia is about [promoting] family values, what you do for your husband and family,” she said.

“It’s a good way to get out there and talk about things you’re passionate about.”

Mrs Thurston said she would like to make people more aware of issues such as animal protection, child welfare, violence against women and the importance of charity work.

In the finals next April Mrs Thurston will be asked to compete in a question and answer session and model swimwear, active wear and formal wear.

She also hopes the added profile she gets from competing will also help promote her fledgling interior design business.

“[Competing] gives women opportunities and helps build their confidence,” she said.

“If I win the title Mrs World Australia I will go to Korea to represent Australia in the world finals.”

Mrs Thurston said she’d proud to be able to represent “country girls” on the world stage.