Wollongong's Tijana Bundalo says being a finalist in the Miss World Australia pageant has helped get her out of her comfort zone.
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Ms Bundalo, 21, was named in the top five at the NSW State Final at The Star in Sydney earlier this month.
The top five progressed to the national final on the Gold Coast on Friday, where Ms Bundalo finished in the top ten out of 29 contestants.
Ms Bundalo said "getting out of your comfort zone" was important.
"You really can achieve amazing things once you take away that fear," she said.
"The confidence that I have built from this over the past two months is insane... I'm lost for words, it's been absolutely amazing.
"I would definitely do it again; what you take out of it is so rewarding."
Bundalo is a carpenter by trade and works in the family-run business, Wollongong-based Bundalo Developments.
Ms Bundalo was also the top fundraiser for the competition, raising more than $25,000 for its beneficiary Variety - the most nationally from a total of 157 entrants.
Queenslander Sarah Marschke was crowned Miss World Australia 2019, while Shoalhaven resident Alana Byrne also finished in the top ten.