Tania Verstak

Even before going on to compete in Miss International, Verstak's victory in the national pageant was already seen as a small but significant shift in the traditional articulation of the Australian feminine ideal, attributed to the infusion of European values to the Anglo-Australian fabric, at a time when beauty pageants were the craze in Australia.^[3]

Verstak went on to win the Miss International title in Long Beach, California. Thus, the victory further endeared her to the Australian public, demonstrating their pride and approval of Tania Verstak as the embodiment of perfect Australian womanhood and as the image of Australia as a modern nation,^[3] even though in the terminology of the time for immigrants, she was a "new Australian".

Verstak's first relationship was with former Channel 7 rugby league commentator, 'sideline eye' Barry Ross. After an acrimonious split, Verstak later married a Perth businessman, Peter Young. Their daughter is the actress Nina Young.

• ABC: George Negus interview with Tania Verstak, 14 April 2003
• Collection of Tania Verstak's trophies, photographs and dresses, National Museum of Australia

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Stanny van Baer	Miss International 1962	Succeeded by Guðrún Bjarnadóttir
Preceded by Rosemary Fenton	Miss International Australia 1962	Succeeded by Tricia Reschke