Ruby Schofield was told she was the only Canberran to make it into the NSW final 30, receiving the surprise good news late last month.

“I entered two months ago, I hadn’t heard anything and had just accepted that nothing was going to happen, and I just checked my email and I was completely blown away,” Miss Schofield said.

“It was lucky I checked my email, because you had 48 hours to respond.”

The Queanbeyan-raised 19-year-old graduated from Daramalan College last year and moved to Melbourne five weeks ago, ahead of a broadcast journalism course set to start at RMIT University in May.

“I’m interested in getting into media," Miss Schofield said.

"I know this is a great opportunity, I know it opens a lot of doors for women."

The seven NSW finalists to make it to the national stage will be chosen at an event in Sydney on April 16, after judging involving swimwear, evening wear and “personality question and answer” sections.

Miss Schofield said her parents in Gordon were as excited as she was.

“They were ecstatic, my Dad’s so proud,” she said.

“Within half an hour Mum’s booked hotels and flights and everything.”

Miss Schofield said she had met the reigning Miss Australia, Olivia Wells, in Melbourne this year, and the two were in touch regularly on social media.

Miss Universe Australia 2014 will be announced on June 6.

It is now a decade since Jennifer Hawkins, then aged 20, became the second Australian to take out the Miss Universe crown.