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On a wing and a prayer

1. A borrowed 10-year-old dress and a laid-back Aussie attitude has swept model Jennifer Hawkins to victory in the 2004 Miss Universe competition.

The 20-year-old Bondi-based model and Newcastle Knights NRL team cheerleader is the first Australian to win the coveted title since Perth's Kerry Ann Wells was crowned in 1972.

“I just can't explain how shocked I am because I never thought this would happen to me, like, I'm just from Newcastle.....,” she told Seven's Today Tonight.

Miss Hawkins, who wore a beaded gold brocade dress for the crowning ceremony today in Ecuador's capital Quito, was widely tipped to finish strongly.

She beat 79 entrants and 14 semi-finalists to take out the title ahead of first runner-up Miss USA Shandi Finnessey.

“This is very new to me and I'm very excited,” the blonde, blue-eyed winner told reporters after she had received the opulent diamond Miss Universe crown.

Miss Hawkins admitted winning Miss Universe had not been her dream, and she said she had not expected to win.

“When this opportunity came I took it on a wing and thought why not, I'll do this. I thought if I happened to get in the top 15, it will be good.”

- Aussie model wins Miss Universe, TheAge.com.au, June 2, 2004.

2. Three Hots and A Cot founder J.D. Simpson knows what it takes to make a difference for veterans in Birmingham: Volunteers, donations and a whole lot of prayer.