Miss Universe Australia 2015 Monika Radulovic was crowned at a gala ceremony in the Grand Ballroom at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins last Friday night.

It is the fifth year that Sofitel Melbourne On Collins has hosted the event and been a sponsor of the national quest.

Monika, a 24-year-old model and psychology graduate from New South Wales placed fourth in the 2014 Miss Universe Australia pageant and held the Miss Tourism Australia title in 2012.

She was born in Bosnia and moved to Australia with her parents at the age of 4, fleeing from that country’s civil unrest.

Monika won the title ahead of Madeleine Crowe, 22, from Queensland with 19-year-old Chanel Stewart from New South Wales in third place.

Thirty five ladies from around Australia vied for the title of Miss Universe Australia in front of more than 450 guests at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins.

A panel of judges including Real Housewives of Melbourne favourite Gina Liano, neurosurgeon and founder of the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, Dr Charles Teo, TV producer Bonnie Lythgo, and Sofitel Melbourne On Collins General Manager Clive Scott, marked the contestant in three categories – swimwear, eveningwear and questions and answers.

Monika joins Jennifer Hawkins, Laura Dundovic, Rachael Finch, Jesinta Campbell, Scherri-Lee Biggs, Olivia Wells, Renae Ayris and Tegan Martin as a Miss Universe Australia titleholder.

She will now represent Australia at Donald Trump’s Miss Universe international final later this year.