Tijana Bundalo has been digging trenches, putting up wall frames and preparing floors for concreters since she was 15.
The now qualified carpenter, now 21, from Wollongong, works for her family-owned business Bundalo Developments and spends her days on job sites surrounded by men.
And while there isn’t much room here for tiaras and tulle on a worksite, that hasn’t stopped her from securing the coveted position as the New South Wales state’s finalist in the Miss World Australia pageant.
Tijana Bundalo (pictured) has been digging trenches, putting up wall frames and preparing floors for concreters since she was 15
Wearing a glittering cocktail and then evening dress, Tijana came away with a top five position in the competition on Sunday at Sydney’s Star Casino
Tijana completed her TAFE accreditation in a classroom full of young men.
‘There could be 90 guys in the workshop and I was the only girl so it was a bit uncomfortable. But I soon realised they’re there for the same reason I am,’ she told FEMAIL.
Starting out as a carpenter so young she was intimidated by her surroundings but she could always rely on her family for support.
‘At first it was frightening but you get to know the people who are working on the project really well… and they just see me like everyone else,’ Tijana said.
The stunning brunette recently took a few weeks off from the tools and construction site to attend the state final for the beauty competition.
As a qualified carpenter at family-owned Bundalo Developments she has regularly worked on job sites surrounded by men (Tijana is pictured in orange)
Her usual work days of wearing fluorescent orange are briefly on hold as she explores the world of modelling, which is something she’d ‘never normally be one to do’
Wearing a glittering cocktail and then evening dress, Tijana came away with a top five position in the competition on Sunday, July 7 at Sydney’s Star Casino.
‘I hit that point where I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I thought I needed something more challenging,’ she said.
‘Public speaking has always been my downfall and I wanted to build my confidence but wasn’t sure if I would make it.’
Her usual work days of wearing fluorescent orange are briefly on hold as she explores the world of modelling, which is something she’d ‘never normally be one to do’.
‘I’ve always been really hands on. I want to build my future. My grandfather is so proud every time he sees me working,’ she said.
There isn’t much room here for tiaras and tulle in the job site but the 21-year-old from Wollongong has still managed to secure the coveted position of New South Wales finalist in the Miss World Australia pageant
As part of her pageant duties the girls were asked to raise funds for children’s charity Variety, with the 21-year-old hosting two dinner parties in June for the cause
According to the company website, she works in the ‘innovation division whereby she flavours the strategy discussions through training and safety’
According to the company website, she works in the ‘innovation division whereby she flavours the strategy discussions through training and safety’.
As part of her pageant duties the girls were asked to raise funds for children’s charity Variety, with the 21-year-old hosting two dinner parties in June for the cause.
She was the top fundraiser for the competition, raising more than $25,000 – the most nationally from a total of 157 entrants.
While this doesn’t dictate how you will later perform in the pageant it was a rewarding personal experience for Tijana.
Now the tradie – who spends her downtime working out at Definition Fitness gym – will jet up to the Gold Coast for the national final on July 19
Starting out as a carpenter so young she was intimidated by her surroundings but could rely on her family for support
Now the tradie – who spends her downtime working out at Definition Fitness gym – will jet up to the Gold Coast for the national final on July 19.
‘I’ve got my dress and can’t wait to see the other four girls. I think it will look a bit like Miss Congeniality,’ she said.
The woman given the 2019 crown will represent Australia at the global Miss World final in Thailand this December.
While it would be an honour to win, Tijana still has grand plans of becoming a developer when she’s older.