Almost 20 years later, Australia has a generation Y beauty - and as one my good friends keeps telling me - was right under our noses all along!

Born in Sydney in the small rural town of Gunnedah, Miranda Kerr was educated at All Hallows in Brisbane (an all-girl Catholic high school), Queensland. 

Obviously finding an affection for getting a tan in the 'Sunshine State', it wasn't long until Miranda made the transition from school girl to Dolly competition winner in 1997. 

From here, things just went up and up.

Being in this industry, discussion with friends over drinks inevitably turn to clothes, models and designer trends.

I know on more than a few occasions that Miranda Kerr was mentioned "Have you seen this girl?", or flicking through magazines and hearing the phrase "There she is - that's my model",

It even got to the point where the slightest sight of her on numerous TV ads caused me a significant headache (if only because I knew a phone call from a friend informing me of such as sighting was never far away). 

"Yes, I saw it. Yes...I know she looked good" - and so on and so forth.

But was it simply a winning entry in a teen magazine that has set Kerr's career headed for the stratosphere? Of course not!

Kerr became the face of the Portmans, Bonds and Veet - making frequent appearances in Australia and New Zealand's top fashion magazines, fashion catalogues and catwalk shows.

In 2004, Kerr left the quiet Australian landscape for New 'The City That Never Sleeps' York - where she was almost immediately signed to the respected Next fashion agency. 

This high profile signing led to modeling jobs with the likes of Levi's, Lisa Ho, Voodoo Dolls, Nicola Finetti, Jets, John Richmond, Blumarine Swimwear, Roberto Cavalli, Elle and Madison to name but a few.

2006 was another big year for Miranda Kerr, as she signed a deal with Maybelline New York as well as becoming the first Australian model in history to be chosen as a runway model for Victoria's Secret at their annual fashion show (you know - the ones with the stunning beauties in wings!). 

It wasn't long after that Kerr was given the honour of being named an official Victoria's Secret Angel. Cue the cash register sound effect: shhk-shing!

But will all this success lead to the inevitable "acting" (and I use that term loosely) career path as paved by McPhearson? Well, for better or worse, Miranda Kerr makes no secret of her desire to try her hand at acting.

If she succeeds she'll join a long line of Models who took the catwalk straight into Hollywood (most obviously Heidi Klum and Cindy Crawford)...and we all know how that turned out.

Whatever the future holds for Miranda Kerr, it certainly seems to be bright. 

Finally an Aussie to be proud of who's A) actually from Australia and not New Zealand, and B) hasn't slept with Shane Warne...yet.

Miranda Kerr has quickly risen to fame