Miss Teen Australia pageant

The 2006 Miss Teen Australia pageant to be held on the Gold Coast appears to be causing a great deal of controversy. It has simulated exchanges between religious interests, women's rights groups, and child welfare interests. There has been veracious condemnation of the pageant that in turn has galvanised strong reactionary support.

Organizations, interest groups and individuals have staked out their opinions and presented their views in logical and articulate presentations. In the process they have demonstrated the wonderful nature of Australia's democracy, with all its complexities.

Readers who have followed the dissertations and contentions must surely feel a sense of pride in the quality and sophistication of the various arguments. It is difficult not to admire greatly the articulation of some of the objections put forward to holding the pageant although one may strongly disagree with the sentiment?

However, as Managing Director of Miss Teen Australia I feel that in some quarters the teenage spectacle is being taken far too seriously. It is also being taken out of context. By this I mean it is being taken out of its Australian social context.

People have complained that teenagers wearing bikinis is in some way a despicable act of confrontation and exploitation. It is difficult to agree with this view as the pageant is to be held within a society in which citizens commonly wear bikinis from kindergarten through to retirement village.

Some have drawn sensuality inferences from the dress of competitors stressing the dangers of stimulating perverts. Again this emphasis seems to be out of place in a society that encourages early participation in athletics and various open-air sports, both of which require participants to wear minimum dress. Perverts can, and I suppose they do, lurk on the fringes of playing fields and sports centres. I can't imagine young athletes will be encouraged to compete wrapped in long robes, or as a drastic measure not compete at all.

However, the most difficult augments to counter are those based upon religious beliefs. This is tricky ground. I have a mixed background and thus have been exposed to opposing views about the nature of God and the relationship that exist. Again, the use of Holy Scriptures to impose views upon one's neighbours doesn't fit well in a society that generally considers one's manner of worship as a private matter.

This characteristic often leads visitors to assume Australian society is one, which lacks spiritual depth. I'm sure anyone who has been following the current controversy will now see that Australian society is in deed rich in spiritual vitality and diversity.

May I take this opportunity to state my comment to the pageant and to encourage all concerned to see it as good fun, a joyous _expression of freedom and a wonderful example of a confident and secure society? I will do all in my power to ensure the integrity of the Miss Teen Australia production and the safety and respect of the competitors. And Miss Teen Australia will do all that is possible to take into account various customs while remaining within the world rules that govern the various pageants held throughout the world.

Sincerely

Gavin A Dooley
Managing Director Miss Teen Australia

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