THE Miss Western Port Community Pageant is based on confidence, team building, making friends, and “getting out there in the community”.

Contestants are encouraged to speak up for the causes they are passionate about.

Miss Western Port director Hannah Swinnerton, 22, is a passionate anti-bullying campaigner.

She is mentoring “eight beautiful ladies that have hearts of gold and are passionate about their community and keen to work for local charities”.

The Miss Western Port preliminaries begin on Saturday 28 January 2017 at Hastings hall.

Doors open at 6pm and the preliminary finals start at 7pm. Tickets are $15 online. Contact Ms Swinnerton on 0468 798 582 or pageant@westernportfestival.org.au

“After the preliminaries the entrants will be out in the community helping to fundraise for the Western Port Festival and their chosen charities,” she said.