Biography

Caroline Pemberton, 22, is the former Miss World Australia 2007 and a second year bachelor of Psychology student at the University of New England.

A keen interest in humanitarian issues led to her involvement in the Miss World competition and having held the titles of Miss Northern Metropolitan and then Miss NSW she went on to win the title of Miss Australia in April 2007.

Her passion for humanitarian work led to her appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF as well as being named the International Patron for Wakisa, an Ambassador for the Red Cross and an Ambassador for Life Education. She is also a fully trained volunteer at Westmead Children’s Hospital and to date has worked with over two dozen Australian charities. Caroline is passionate about doing humanitarian work beyond Australian shores and recently returned from a 3 week trip to Kenya. In country, Caroline worked for Kenya Aid providing medical care and health services in rural areas. In July last year Caroline went on a humanitarian trip to Uganda, as the International Patron for Wakisa - a pregnancy crisis centre in Kampala. As well as working at the women’s crisis centre, Caroline visited the Internally Displaced Person Camps on the Sudanese border, toured UNICEF projects including their vocational training centers, visited and spoke at local schools and volunteered with children in a rural hospital. In January last year Caroline volunteered at an orphanage in East Timor with a team from Father Riley’s Youth off the Streets.

Caroline has just completed the renowned Kokoda Trail (April 2008) with New South Wales Leader of the Opposition Barry O’Farrell. She chose to undertake the trek in honour of the Australians that fought there in 1942, to celebrate ANZAC day and as the Ambassador for the Kokoda Trust, which runs educational, and health programs in the villages along the track.

Caroline has always had an interest in the media and entertainment industry and has worked in many of its domains. She is an experienced model and was chosen as the face of this years F1 Grand Prix. Caroline has appeared on numerous commercials, movies, television shows and documentaries, including assisting in the filming and production of, as well as appearing in, Rex Pemberton’s ‘To Stand Above the Clouds’ Everest documentary. Following her Miss Australia experience Caroline hopes to work as a television presenter and maintain a public profile that she feels gives her a voice to act and create awareness for the humanitarian issues she is passionate about.

Caroline also aspires to develop herself as a speaker, particularly in regards to motivating young people to achieve and to give back to their communities. Caroline is already working in the corporate arena as well as developing and facilitating a body image program for young women with the support of the Australasian Institute of Research, the SAN Hospital, Novus Foundation and Rotary. Caroline has spoken alongside the NSW Premier, Hon Morris Iemma, Dr. Brendan Nelson, Hon. Charlie Lynn MLC psc, as well as recognized media personalities such as Lisa Wilkinson. She has spoken at over 50 events, and emceed over 15.

Caroline currently works as the PR Manager for her brother Rex Pemberton who is the youngest Australian to have climbed Mount Everest and scale the highest mountain on every continent.

Caroline's thoughts on the Miss World motto, "Beauty With A Purpose":

" Having travelled to some of the poorest places in the world, including living for six weeks with the Nepalese Sherpa community at Everest, visiting the IDP camps on the Uganda/Sudanese border and working in remote Kenya I have seen the impact of great poverty first hand. I have also learnt the power of small gestures. How a small amount of money, or a small amount of time can make a huge difference in the lives of others. I believe that we need to see the world as a global community and unite to combat things like poverty, war zone destruction, famine, disease and unnecessary child mortality. One person can achieve a lot, but together we can achieve a great deal more. This is why I feel so strongly about Miss World. It’s philosophy; “Beauty with a Purpose” is empowering young women all over the world to come together with a common goal, and make a real, widespread difference. The results have been dramatic and the US400 million dollars raised speak for themselves. It is an incredible honour to have been the Australian Miss World representative.”"

Born: 18th April 1986, Sydney, NSW Australia.

Education: Part-time university student (currently on a leave of absence) studying a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of New England. Attended Secondary School at Pymble Ladies’ College achieving a UAI of 98.25 and receiving a Premier’s Award for all round excellence in the Higher School Certificate

Heritage: Australian with English roots.

Interests: Travel, paragliding, canyoning, bushwalking and trekking, waterskiing, horse-riding, scuba-diving, kite surfing, golf, archery, mountain sports incl. rock and ice climbing, snow skiing and in my quieter moments I enjoy acting, scrapbooking, reading and learning about health sciences.

Favourite music: Soft rock: My favourite bands include ‘The Red Hot Chili Peppers’, ‘Lifehouse’, ‘Evermore’ , ‘Mushu’ and ‘Matchbox 20’

Favourite books: ‘Shantaram’ by Gregory David Roberts, ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ by Li Cuxin, ‘Genome’ by Matt Ridley ‘An Elegant Universe’ Brian Greene

Aspirations: To work as a television presenter within the media and entertainment industry, with the ultimate goal of one day presenting a unique humanitarian travel documentary series.

Gail Pemberton's website: www.buythatbook.com.au