You Beauty: Showcasing Outback Queensland at the Miss Universe Contest 

December 3, 2019

When Priya Serrao hits the stage at the Miss Universe Contest on December 8 as Miss Australia, she’ll be representing the colours and nature of Western Queensland by wearing a lizard-design garment.

Maranoa MP David Littleproud said Indigenous artists, hailing from Birdsville, Bedourie, Blackall and Barcaldine, collaborated to develop artwork represented in the garment.

“I’m thrilled Western Queensland will have this very special limelight shone on it through the colours and design of this wearable art garment, called Tyarla-Tyarla,” Mr Littleproud said.

“We live in a unique and beautiful part of the world that is certainly worthy of global attention for its history, culture and nature.

“Dress designer Claudia Williams was able to get together with Indigenous artists from Maranoa after a series of creative workshops – hosted by Red Ridge and partly-funded by the Federal Government – and I commend her on her visionary, creative efforts that have resulted in Tyarla-Tyarla.

“It’s great to see that these creative workshops hit the mark as they were intended to -bringing people together in tough times to focus on a new, creative outlet and enjoy like-minded company.

“The flow-on affect from this is fantastic and just goes to show what can happen when we work together towards a goal.”

The series of creative workshops, Dress the Central West, was funded with $60,000 through the Federal Government’s Tackling Tough Times Together initiative.

Tyarla-Tyarla is based on the ochre colours of Indigenous spirituality and connection to country. Tyarla-Tyarla means lizard in the Wangkangurru language, spoken in the Birdsville area.

ENDS