A final field of seven primped and preened young women donned bikinis and strutted their stuff before a panel of judges in a bid to proceed to the state finals.

They competed over two days in the categories of healthy body image, fitness, talent, public speaking, poise and charity work.

Ashleigh Potter, 19, of Wonoona, was named the overall winner at a gala dinner last night at Wollongong's Lagoon Restaurant.

Close behind was T J Binney, 19, of Albion Park in second place and Jemma Carson, 25, of Kiama in third place.

Chair of Miss World Australia, Pauline McFetridge, praised Ms Potter for her excellent public speaking skills and fit physique.

"She was good in every category. She spoke well, she was a very fit girl and over the past few days she emerged like a butterfly," Ms McFetridge said.

"Everybody was very taken with her."

Far from just being a beauty competition, the Miss World contest stood for "beauty with a purpose", Ms McFetridge said.

"As one girl in a competition said recently, these girls are not models, they're role models," she said.

"They also have to carry out volunteer or charity work as part of the competition - one girl here raised $9500 for the Variety Club."

Rather than searching for the perfect figure, the swimwear category focused on muscle tone, symmetry of form and posture.

"We're looking for a healthy young Australian girl," she said.