REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday Sept 9, 2004

MISS Universe plummeted from an all new height with a catastrophic slip down by the Yarra in Melbourne.

Jennifer Hawkins was still recovering from the previous Thursday’s de-skirting on the catwalk.

Then she emerged from a cornflower blue Bentley and began her descent to the waiting media and a floating gondola.

Wearing a baggy black Ty & Melita dress and sky-high golden stilettos, the then-20year-old began her journey at the top of the stairs.

And that’s where it all went very, very wrong.

With her nine minders chatting away behind her, Hawkins had to fend for herself with only a steel railing for support.

Missing a step completely, the vivacious beauty queen hit the deck with a cold thud.

With her mouth open in shock, Hawkins sat there with her left ankle tucked under her and her right foot precariously twisted on the step in front.

But in true Aussie style, she got right back up again and soldiered on to where the cameras hadn’t stopped clicking or rolling in the rain.

“I’m all right, I’m OK,” she said, then grimaced.

Hawkins laughed off her tumble and hopped into the gondola, which didn’t move too far as her management, bodyguard and sponsors all argued among themselves over whether she could weather a bit of rain.

Hawkins said Australian fashion was making a big bang in her new hometown of New York. “Fashion is a big part of Australia and I’m so excited to be a part of this fashion week.’’