Smh
http://www.smh.com.au/news/fashion/kittens-on-the-catwalk/2006/05/17/1147545392111.html
an article from Sydney Morning herald that mentions Gemma on page 2
"But with the Italians the latest to chime in on the babymodel brouhaha, those plans could change. Italian industry minister Adolfo Urso is reportedly contemplating a ban on under-16 models on Italian runways. France has a similar ban, although agencies have told the
Herald this may be circumvented via a special children's licence.
Had any such Italian work ban been in place in 2003, it could have limited options for Gemma Ward. The then 15-year-old from Perth made her international catwalk debut for Prada in September 2003. Now 18 and ranked the world's No. 2 runway-editorial model, Ward was estimated to have earned $3.5 million last year by
BRW magazine.
"It's made people go, 'Wow, an Australian girl can be right up there with the best of them'," says Scene Models' director, Vikki Graham.
"Every time somebody in a particular field reaches [that level], all of a sudden there's an influx. How many more kids went to the pool because of Ian Thorpe?"
(wonder who the next model is getting the $10.48 million deal -see full article)