Lorraine charms M.P.S

Press, 3 August 1983, Page 8

Lorraine charms M.P.S

NZPA Parliamentary reporter

in Wellington

Attired in the same glittering blue gown and sparkling crown she wore when she won the “Miss Universe” title last month, Lorraine Downes charmed members of Parliament and other dignitaries at a Parliamentary reception in her honour last evening. In the job only a fortnight, the Pakuranga, model, aged 19, showed groel confidence and won may firm

fans as she mingled with guests after accepting the title of Honorary Travelling Ambassador for New Zealand.

Presenting Miss Downes with an impressive redbound certificate, the Minister of Tourism, Mr Talbot, said he was sure New Zealand would benefit greatly from her year-long stint travelling the world. The Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon, said Miss Downes’s greatest appeal was that she was “a typical nice, New Zealand

girl.” Winning the title in St Louis had been “the most outstanding achievement by any young New Zealand

girl,” he said. Miss Downes’s family were present, making the most of the few days she has in New Zealand before returning to New York tomorrow. She then embarks on a series of promotional visits around the world. Her boyfriend, Richard Collins, was also there, showing pride as Lorraine smi’Jd, chatted, posed for

photographs, signed autographs and smiled still more.

On the evening of her crowning he had taken great pleasure in announcing he was engaged to Lorraine, but after first saying they were “sort of engaged,” the beauty queen further clarified the matter on her arrival home by saying they were definitely “not engaged.”

There had been “a misunderstanding,” Mr Collins said, “but that’s it