Is this tradie our top lady?

By Jade Lawton
45062

Picture:
Kim
Cartmell

PAKENHAM tradie Belinda McGee was probably who they had in mind when they coined the phrase ‘yummy mummy.’
Belinda, a mother-of-one, is one of 37 finalists from across the nation who will compete in the Mrs Australia pageant this August, strutting her stuff in an evening gown and swimsuit.
Belinda heard about the pageant through her part-time work as a TV extra.
“I’m with an agent where I do extra work for TV. They forwarded it through and it looked like a good pageant – you mostly do fund-raising for the Women In Need (WIN) foundation,” she said.
The competition is described as ‘more than a traditional beauty pageant,’ with contestants required to fund-raise for and promote WIN, a charity that aims to eradicate abuse against women. The 26-year-old house painter kicked off her fund-raising efforts with a morning tea at the Pakenham Hotel yesterday (Tuesday).
“It’s hard living in Pakenham – a lot of the other girls are more inner-city and already have relationships with designers and stuff like that,” she said. “It’s a bit tricky.”
But Belinda has the full support of partner Alan and nine-year-old son, Shayman. Mrs Australia is open to Australian women over the age of 26, or 22 if they are married.
If she wins the title, Belinda will receive a sash, crown and all expenses paid trip to Greece to represent Australia in the International Mrs Globe pageant.
She will also get a photo portfolio, cosmetic and beauty package, and a collection of handcrafted jewellery.