Miss Kellie Hall as she prepares to compete in South Africa.

Mrs. Gina Swainson Jovetic, who won the title in 1979, has this week been giving tips to the new Miss Bermuda Islands on how to gain the coveted crown.

And Miss Hall will fly out to Sun City, South Africa tomorrow with her advice in mind.

But she will also be leaving with the knowledge that she has the good wishes of the whole of Bermuda.

Miss Hall was waved good-bye yesterday at Par La Ville Park as many Bermudians, including nursery schoolchildren, friends and family, sent her off with best wishes.

In the November 27 show Miss Hall will don the costume of the Bermuda Longtail which was made by Mrs. Gilda Armstrong, while 75 other contestants show off their outfits in representation of their country.

"I'm excited about going to Miss World,'' Miss Hall said. "I can't wait to get down there and meet with all the other girls. It will give me a chance to develop relationships with contestants from all over the world.'' While in South Africa Miss Hall and the other contestants will be busy every day in preparation for the contest.

Days are set aside for modelling costumes, safari trips, visits with nursery schools and orphanages and meeting with some of South Africa's dignitaries.

"Being in the contest will be a real eye-opener,'' Miss Hall said. "I studied Sociology at Spellman College in Atlanta so I'm looking forward to learning about the different cultures of the other girls.'' Miss Hall says that by the time she leaves Sun City she is hoping to have developed several long-lasting friends and pen pals.

Miss Hall's parents, who are arriving in South Africa a week before the contest, will be making sure their daughter looks her best.

They are accustomed to the excitement of having a beauty contestant in the family following their daughter Bridget's win in the Miss Queen Bermuda event 10 years ago.

Kellie's mother Mrs. Diann Hall has made most of her daughter's outfits for the different activities she will be participating in.

"I just want her to go and enjoy herself,'' Mrs. Hall said.

In examining her chances of becoming Miss World, Miss Hall said: "I'm going to take the entire contest in stride. I am very confident, and I'm just going to put my best foot forward when representing my country.'' But "it's all up to the judges,'' she added with a smile.

ALL SMILES -- "If only I was 70 years younger'' thinks 94-year-old Mr. Eldon (Smiler) Tucker as he meets Miss Bermuda Islands, Kellie Hall during yesterday's city send-off. The 22-year-old leaves for South Africa tomorrow.