The influential women shaping the Gold Coast

As we celebrate women on the Gold Coast, we look at the females inspiring our city in so many ways. SEE THE COMPLETE GALLERY

Emily Toxward

less than 2 min read

April 22, 2021 - 7:20AM

Gold Coast Bulletin

1/51Ashleigh Gentle continues to lead the charge of female athletes on the Gold Coast. Picture: Lachie Millard

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Donna Gates has been the Gold Coast’s Deputy Mayor since 2012 and a representative for the northern Gold Coast since 2007. She is also the Alternate Director to the Council of Mayors, 2IC of the city’s Disaster Management Unit and Special Budget and Finance Committee. Photo: Scott Powick Newscorp

5/51Donna Gates has been the Gold Coast’s Deputy Mayor since 2012 and a representative for the northern Gold Coast since 2007. She is also the Alternate Director to the Council of Mayors, 2IC of the city’s Disaster Management Unit and Special Budget and Finance Committee. Photo: Scott Powick Newscorp

Gold Coasters Marion Andersson and Melanie Funk, set up and run the Eczema Support Australia, and were instrumental in getting a ‘life-changing’ drug onto the Federal Government’s PBS for severe sufferers of the condition. Picture: Jerad Williams

6/51Gold Coasters Marion Andersson and Melanie Funk, set up and run the Eczema Support Australia, and were instrumental in getting a ‘life-changing’ drug onto the Federal Government’s PBS for severe sufferers of the condition. Picture: Jerad Williams

Wheelchair Basketball legend and Gold Coast teacher Ella Sabljak devotes her spare to raising awareness of sporting events that showcases bodies of all shapes, sizes and abilities through her work with non-profit Sporting Wheelies. Ella made her Australian basketball debut at the 2011 Women’s Under-25 World Championship in Canada and the 2021 Paralympics will be the culmination of nine years of hard work and sacrifice.

7/51Wheelchair Basketball legend and Gold Coast teacher Ella Sabljak devotes her spare to raising awareness of sporting events that showcases bodies of all shapes, sizes and abilities through her work with non-profit Sporting Wheelies. Ella made her Australian basketball debut at the 2011 Women’s Under-25 World Championship in Canada and the 2021 Paralympics will be the culmination of nine years of hard work and sacrifice.

Rebecca Frizelle of James Frizelle Automotive Group is also a co-owner of the Gold Coast Titans and remains one of the city’s most influential people. Picture: Chris McCormack

8/51Rebecca Frizelle of James Frizelle Automotive Group is also a co-owner of the Gold Coast Titans and remains one of the city’s most influential people. Picture: Chris McCormack

Newly-elected Division 6 councillor Brooke Patterson has made her local community the key focus since the March 2020 elections. Challenges including homelessness, economic activation of the Southport CBD and community safety have led her focus to date.

9/51Newly-elected Division 6 councillor Brooke Patterson has made her local community the key focus since the March 2020 elections. Challenges including homelessness, economic activation of the Southport CBD and community safety have led her focus to date.

Founder of Women’s Cancer Support GC Sandra Johnston is working to support Gold Coastres battling the insideous disease. Picture: Jerad Williams

10/51Founder of Women’s Cancer Support GC Sandra Johnston is working to support Gold Coastres battling the insideous disease. Picture: Jerad Williams

Ms Di Macleod is the director of the Gold Coast Centre Against Violence and she has spent years leading the charge against sexual violence for local women.

11/51Ms Di Macleod is the director of the Gold Coast Centre Against Violence and she has spent years leading the charge against sexual violence for local women.

Cr Daphne McDonald was first elected to the City of Gold Coast in 1991 and in 2021 celebrates 30 years as the councillor for Division 13. When she came to the council the population was 158,000, now it’s 620,000. She served as Deputy Mayor from 2007 to 2012 and is a life member of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (Qld) Branch. Photo: Glenn Hampson

12/51Cr Daphne McDonald was first elected to the City of Gold Coast in 1991 and in 2021 celebrates 30 years as the councillor for Division 13. When she came to the council the population was 158,000, now it’s 620,000. She served as Deputy Mayor from 2007 to 2012 and is a life member of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (Qld) Branch. Photo: Glenn Hampson

Cornelia Babbage, known locally as Queenie, is the Multicultural Families Organisation director, she makes sure newly arrived migrants, refugees and humanitanrian entrants to the Gold Coast are cared for - she always works to help women through the Domestic and Family Violence Centre.

13/51Cornelia Babbage, known locally as Queenie, is the Multicultural Families Organisation director, she makes sure newly arrived migrants, refugees and humanitanrian entrants to the Gold Coast are cared for - she always works to help women through the Domestic and Family Violence Centre.

Nerang Neighbourhood Centre co-ordinator Vicky Rose helps struggling families with work opportunities, information on visas and never turns anyone in need away. Picture: Tertius Pickard

14/51Nerang Neighbourhood Centre co-ordinator Vicky Rose helps struggling families with work opportunities, information on visas and never turns anyone in need away. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Dr Sonu Haikerwal, former president of the Gold Coast Medical Association, is one of the most respected GPs on the Gold Coast who in the past has mentor up to 50 trainee doctors at year on the Gold Coast. Her holistic approach to medicine has gained her praise and her efficiences in operationg two medical centres made her an obvious choice as one of the city’s COVID respiratory testing centres. Picture John Gass

15/51Dr Sonu Haikerwal, former president of the Gold Coast Medical Association, is one of the most respected GPs on the Gold Coast who in the past has mentor up to 50 trainee doctors at year on the Gold Coast. Her holistic approach to medicine has gained her praise and her efficiences in operationg two medical centres made her an obvious choice as one of the city’s COVID respiratory testing centres. Picture John Gass

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation director Whitney Luzzo-Kelly has been instrumental is raising much-needed funds for the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation. Picture: Jerad Williams

16/51Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation director Whitney Luzzo-Kelly has been instrumental is raising much-needed funds for the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation. Picture: Jerad Williams

A second term Councillor for Division 12, Pauline Young is current Chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee. Picture: Jerad Williams

17/51A second term Councillor for Division 12, Pauline Young is current Chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee. Picture: Jerad Williams

Debby Lo-Dean, the official spokeswoman for the Gold Coast Chinese Community, regularly hosts multicultural leaders summit where Gold Coasters from different groups come and talk about issues in their communities and opportunities with a view to helping to solve problems together. Picture: Jerad Williams

18/51Debby Lo-Dean, the official spokeswoman for the Gold Coast Chinese Community, regularly hosts multicultural leaders summit where Gold Coasters from different groups come and talk about issues in their communities and opportunities with a view to helping to solve problems together. Picture: Jerad Williams

HOTA deputy chairwoman Kate Brennan has career of executive and board roles of non profits, and works to provide inclusive, creative and collaborative cities.

19/51HOTA deputy chairwoman Kate Brennan has career of executive and board roles of non profits, and works to provide inclusive, creative and collaborative cities.

Melanie Annand, for the past nine years Melanie has been the Secretary of the North Gold Coast RSL Sub-Branch which has grown its membership significantly over this period. She dedicates considerable hours every week to provide administrative and life support to the veterans in the Northern Gold Coast community. Photo Scott Powick Newscorp

20/51Melanie Annand, for the past nine years Melanie has been the Secretary of the North Gold Coast RSL Sub-Branch which has grown its membership significantly over this period. She dedicates considerable hours every week to provide administrative and life support to the veterans in the Northern Gold Coast community. Photo Scott Powick Newscorp

Bianca Cook is a proud, strong, first nation’s person who serves as a senior practitioner for indgenous programs, at ‘Lives Lived Well’ in Burleigh. [She] provides counselling to Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal youths…helping those with substance abuse challenges to…gain the necessary skills to re-enter society.

21/51Bianca Cook is a proud, strong, first nation’s person who serves as a senior practitioner for indgenous programs, at ‘Lives Lived Well’ in Burleigh. [She] provides counselling to Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal youths…helping those with substance abuse challenges to…gain the necessary skills to re-enter society.

Glynis Nunn remains the matriarch of Gold Coast sport and late in 2020 was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame. Picture: Richard Walker

22/51Glynis Nunn remains the matriarch of Gold Coast sport and late in 2020 was inducted into the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame. Picture: Richard Walker

23/51LNP candidate Laura Gerber at the red Rose DV rally at the DV memorial in Norm Rix park, Labrador. Picture: Jerad Williams

As the founder and CEO of Baby Give Back Carly Fradgley works tirelessly to collect and safety check essential baby items donated or purchased for families who are referred via social service agencies. Picture Glenn Hampson

24/51As the founder and CEO of Baby Give Back Carly Fradgley works tirelessly to collect and safety check essential baby items donated or purchased for families who are referred via social service agencies. Picture Glenn Hampson

Sonya Driver is the Burleigh Heads founder of organic tanning business Eco Tan, and she has made a product with all proceeds going to Rafiki Mwema, an Australian charity in Kenya that houses abused and traumatised children. Picture: Richard Gosling

25/51Sonya Driver is the Burleigh Heads founder of organic tanning business Eco Tan, and she has made a product with all proceeds going to Rafiki Mwema, an Australian charity in Kenya that houses abused and traumatised children. Picture: Richard Gosling

Artist, mentor and cultural advocate, Narelle Urquhart is the daughter of legendary Indigenous activist Iris Clayton, the mother of four children (including two Bond graduates), grandmother of one and ‘Aunty’ to every Indigenous student who has passed through the doors of Bond University’s Nyombil Centre since it opened in 2012. Picture Mike Batterham

26/51Artist, mentor and cultural advocate, Narelle Urquhart is the daughter of legendary Indigenous activist Iris Clayton, the mother of four children (including two Bond graduates), grandmother of one and ‘Aunty’ to every Indigenous student who has passed through the doors of Bond University’s Nyombil Centre since it opened in 2012. Picture Mike Batterham

Asha Peck who is the brains behind Gold Coast Girls In Business, a Facebook group that has 26K followers who help each other with their businesses , she has also set up groups across Australia and they are going off. Picture: Jerad Williams

27/51Asha Peck who is the brains behind Gold Coast Girls In Business, a Facebook group that has 26K followers who help each other with their businesses , she has also set up groups across Australia and they are going off. Picture: Jerad Williams

28/51Asha Peck at Heart of Women Awards at Palazzo Versace. Picture: Peter Regina

Renee Cohen is an inspiring woman who plays a significant professional and personal role on the Gold Coast. Professionally, she is General Manager, Community and Game Development for the Gold Coast Titans. Personally, Renee has a passion for inclusion of people with disabilities and furthering the rights of indigenous people. Every year since 2014, Renee works on an initiative where children with Down syndrome run onto the pitch with the players at the beginning of a Titans’ home game. Picture: Jerad Williams

29/51Renee Cohen is an inspiring woman who plays a significant professional and personal role on the Gold Coast. Professionally, she is General Manager, Community and Game Development for the Gold Coast Titans. Personally, Renee has a passion for inclusion of people with disabilities and furthering the rights of indigenous people. Every year since 2014, Renee works on an initiative where children with Down syndrome run onto the pitch with the players at the beginning of a Titans’ home game. Picture: Jerad Williams

Leah Kaslar is a female AFL player (from Cairns) who is likely to be drafted into next year’s new national female competition.PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

30/51Leah Kaslar is a female AFL player (from Cairns) who is likely to be drafted into next year’s new national female competition.PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

31/51Meaghan Scanlon minister for environment and the Great Barrier Reef at the Gardens . Pic Annette Dew

32/51Gold Coast Mayoress Ruth Tate. Picture: Tate family

33/51Angie Bell MP. Picture: Regina King

34/51Karen Andrews. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

35/51Larissa Rose. . Picture: Jerad Williams

36/51Melissa McGuinness. Picture: Jerad Williams

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Celebratory lunch for the 2020 Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year with winners in the Ocean View Room at The Island Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise. The Entertainers winner, Amy-Louise Anderson. Picture: Jerad Williams

38/51Celebratory lunch for the 2020 Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year with winners in the Ocean View Room at The Island Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise. The Entertainers winner, Amy-Louise Anderson. Picture: Jerad Williams

39/51Celebratory lunch for the 2020 Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year with winners in the Ocean View Room at The Island Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise. Entrepreneurs Amreeta Abbott. Picture: Jerad Williams

WSL Steph Gilmore. Surfing golden girl and world champ Steph Gilmore pictured at Duanbah ahead of the WSL round 1 on the Gold Coast. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

40/51WSL Steph Gilmore. Surfing golden girl and world champ Steph Gilmore pictured at Duanbah ahead of the WSL round 1 on the Gold Coast. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT