ICYMI, Australia have just competed in the Mr World beauty pageant in the Philippines.
However, our hopes in the contest hit a snag, with our representative, model Jony Berry, being unable to don the indigenous flag on his costume– despite being a proud Aboriginal himself.
The competition, which ran in August began with candidates modelling their costumes, with Berry’s satin robs containing indigenous art painted onto it.
The incriminating design, pictured on Berry alongside designer Paul McCann
“Unfortunately I did come up against a bit of a roadblock with our flag rights issues so I wasn’t able to display one of the flags,” he revealed to ABC Radio Hobart.
“I can see it from a political point of view from the organisers’ position, but they didn’t quite know what that message was,” said designer Paul McCann, the brains behind the costume.
“I wanted to do Jony justice and make sure the robe represented him well but also our beautiful culture.”
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Berry grew up in Tasmania, with his indigenous connection coming via his father’s side.
What makes the issue more heartbreaking for Berry, and the community at large is the sparse connections left with Tasmanian indigenous people, such was the level of slaughter and devastation as a result of disease on Tasmanian aboriginals.
“Each part of this robe has such deep meaning and such a rich beautiful connection to something,” said Berry.
“My fellow contestants loved it, I got so many compliments on it.”
The contest was won by our old enemy England this year. Check out the highlights below.
Check out the top 7 finalists of this year’s tournament in the video below
