Kanyini in Action: The Purpose Project Behind Australia’s New Miss World, Olivija Spanovskis

It’s not every day someone introduces you to a word - let alone one that reframes how you understand responsibility, belonging, and care for the world around you.

But today, that someone is newly crowned Miss World Australia, Olivija Spanovskis - and that word is Kanyini, the principle at the heart of the purpose project she has spent years building.

“Kanyini is a Pitjantjatjara word meaning unconditional love with responsibility,” Olivija explains. “OurKanyini exists to encourage storytelling, education, and more respectful travel through the country we live on. My hope is that with understanding comes appreciation - and with appreciation, the responsibility to protect.”

Fresh from her national win, Olivija is now preparing to represent Australia at the Miss World competition later this year. She steps onto the international stage not as a symbolic figure, but as a young Australian leader carrying a clear mandate: to deepen conversations around sustainability, cultural respect, and our relationship with Country.

At just 26, Olivija has already established a career in experiential tourism with Journey Beyond. With a Commerce degree majoring in Marketing and a deep respect for Australia’s landscapes and cultures, she works behind the scenes to help showcase some of the country’s most remote and remarkable destinations.

“That work has completely reshaped how I see Australia,” she says. “The beauty isn’t always obvious. It’s in the land, the stories, the cultures, and the communities that quietly define who we are.”

One moment that continues to inform her perspective took place at Ningaloo Reef. “The ocean was a piercing blue and full of life,” she recalls. “Snorkelling felt like stepping into another world - raw, vibrant, and alive.” As the sun dropped below the horizon, a turtle surfaced beside her - her first time seeing one in the wild. “It was unforgettable.”

That experience didn’t end with awe - it sharpened her sense of responsibility.

In an industry still evolving its relationship with sustainability, Olivija saw a need for deeper education and more respectful engagement. Through OurKanyini, the platform she founded, she applies her marketing expertise to encourage travellers to connect with Country in informed, meaningful ways - and to understand the responsibility that comes with that access.

Beyond her work, Olivija is grounded and quietly driven. A proud South Australian with Latvian heritage (“The j in Olivija always starts a conversation,” she notes), she balances ambition with authenticity. In her downtime, she walks nature trails, follows the AFL, decorates cakes, and renovates a 1960s home she’s restoring one thoughtful decision at a time. She’s also unapologetic about her sweet tooth: “I’m always down for a treat - especially YoChi or acai.”

At the centre of everything is family.

“Their support and unconditional love have shaped who I am,” she says. “They keep me grounded, focused on what matters, and motivated to give my best.”

Those values now underpin her role representing Australia on the world stage.

“I joined this journey to honour where I come from and to use this platform to amplify causes that genuinely matter,” she says.

In a global moment where audiences are demanding substance over symbolism, Olivija Spanovskis represents a new standard of leadership - informed, values-led, and quietly influential. She is not defined by a title, but by the responsibility she carries with it - and the impact she intends to make.

Photographer | IG: jordanlavis_photography

Q&A

w/ Olivija Spanovskis, Miss World Australia 2025

What do you love most about this country and what do you wish more people noticed?

What I love most about this country is its diverse natural beauty and rich spiritual culture - much of which lies beyond the iconic landmarks. I wish more people noticed the lesser- known landscapes and stories that quietly shape Australia’s identity, which is what inspired me to create OurKanyini - a platform that encourages deeper connection, education, and care for Country.

If you could whisper one truth to every girl before the world tells her who to be, what would it be?

Your uniqueness is your power. Believe in yourself, take the leap, and remember - growth begins when you step outside your comfort zone.

What moment made you say, “Actually... I’m confident now”? What changed?

Confidence came from a shift in mindset - remembering that I’m in control of my life and what I want to achieve. When I chose to create my own journey, advocate for myself, and step outside my comfort zone, everything began to shift - grounded in resilience, self-belief, and determination.

“Beauty with a Purpose” is more than a slogan -what does it look like in your everyday life?

“Beauty with a Purpose” is reflected in my everyday life through my work in tourism, where I have the opportunity to help share and celebrate Australia’s natural beauty - not just as a destination, but as something to respect, protect, and connect with. It’s about using the platform I’m part of to inspire awareness, promote responsible travel, and highlight the stories and landscapes that quietly shape our identity.

What does being a healthy role model actually look like to you -and how do you try to live it?

To me, a healthy role model leads with compassion, authenticity, and trust - not by being perfect, but by being open, a good listener, and honest about their own experiences to create a safe, supportive space. I try to live this by sharing my own journey, including the highs and challenges, so others feel informed, encouraged, and empowered to grow on their own path.

What are three words that capture who you are at your core?

Compassionate, loyal, down-to-earth.

"Our Kanyini is a digital advocacy platform committed to educating and inspiring Australians to protect our natural and cultural heritage through the power of storytelling, community, and conscious travel. Through this platform, I hope to inspire others to walk gently and protect what makes this country so special." - Olivija Spanovskis

Support olivija’s Miss World Beauty with a Purpose project by following her journey on social media. #OurKanyini

personal IG: @olivijaspanovskis

project IG: @ourkanyini