Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards 2023 by Harvey Norman finalists
The Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards by Harvey Norman for 2023 have attracted hundreds of impressive contenders. See the full list of finalists.
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The Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards by Harvey Norman for 2023 have attracted hundreds of impressive contenders.
Now the 27 finalists have been chosen - three each across nine categories - all vying for the ultimate title.
The winner of each category, as chosen by a panel of judges, will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at The Star Gold Coast on September 16.
Tickets can be purchased online here.
Don’t forget to keep an eye out on Monday when voting opens for the People’s Choice award.
The public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite from the 27 finalists before the poll closes on September 1.
Meet the finalists:
Angels Among Us (sponsored by St Hilda’s)
TRACEY WOODBRY
The Gold Coast Mayoress Charity Foundation’s annual ball simply would not happen without Tracey Woodbry’s countless hours of volunteer work liaising with its many worthy causes and attendees. More than $2 million have been raised for charities on the night - considered one of the Gold Coast social events of the year. She is also a familiar face when the Gold Coast 500 is on as the general manager - corporate experiences Supercars. Her CV includes the world’s largest sports talent agency IMG, surfwear giant Billabong and top accommodation providers Ramada and Sheraton.
LINDA OSMAN
The Journey 2 Learn autism charity founder on the Gold Coast started it after the birth of her fourth child who was diagnosed with autism level 3 aged just over two. When he turned six her only option was to send him to a special school or home school him - but that didn’t match her aspirations. She believed he should attend a mainstream school - and her support structure Journey 2 Learn was formed. She works at it full time for no financial reward, working at night as a corporate travel agent. She hopes the model will help other families in the same situation.
GEORGIA LANE
The head of fundraising for the National Trust of Australia and Currumbin Wildlife Hospital separately founded her influential and popular Women of Influence group 15 years ago. The mother of two’s tireless fundraising role supports worthy causes such as the koala vaccine project and rebuilding the wildlife hospital. Her Women of Influence not-for-profit gives motivated and successful businesswoman a forum to network and learn, attracting up to 450 at regular events, and fundraising for Arcadia College, YHES House and OHANA FOR YOUTH.
Champions of Education (sponsored by Study Gold Coast)
ERICA WILSON
The Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic Innovation) at Southern Cross University and before that was the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic (Acting), Acting Dean, Deputy Head and Director of Teaching and Learnings in the School of Business and Tourism. Oiriginally from Seattle, but in Australia for 30-plus years, she was a Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Technical and Scientific and Advisory committee member for nine years, has published 80-plus scholarly outputs, co-edited two books dand is described as an “outstanding leader” in transformation education and “true catalyst for tranformative learning”.
RENEE BRESCIANINI
The Enriching Lives Foundation founder’s charity supports underprivileged children to stay in school, sponsoring kids who have lost a parent, are in financial distress or found themselves homeless. It pays for public schooling costs such as uniforms, camp costs, books and other essentials. Described as an “authentic, big-hearted woman who has a determination to make a difference”. An Enriching Lives race day in June raised $13,000 whilst pencil in a fundraising gala for October 21.
KATE HUCKER
The foundation principal of Coomera State Special School where the motto is to give every child an opportunity to reach their potential through the belief that “together we can achieve”. The lifelong devotee to children with intellectual and physical disabilities opened the school during Covid and is known for her “strong and empathetic feminine leadership” who radiates “positivity, kindness and strength”.
Champions of Sport (sponsored by Harvey Norman)
KAT PRIDMORE
The epitome of Aussie Rules on the Gold Coast, she is the president of the Surfers Paradise Demons club, with an overview stretching from grassroots to seniors and “brings a wealth of business knowledge to community sport as a very successful businesswoman”. An advocate for AFL, females in football, playing, coaching and umpiring.
COURTNEY HANCOCK
This champion ironwoman is a three-time winner of the prestigious Coolangatta Gold and first person in Australia surf sports history to win the coveted triple crown of elite events in the same year. As well as being world-class in the water, she’s a class act out of it too, mentoring and coaching the next generation. Remarks one: “Courtney is a dedicated and passionate coach and mentor - I have a new passion in life thanks to her.”
KARYN MURPHY
The director of female rugby league at the Gold Coast Titans and NRLW side coach is a trailblazer - she’s the sole female coach in the groundbreaking NRL Women’s competition. Not only did she lead the team to the finals last season and formed them into a leading side this season, she oversees the club’s female programs, covering participation, pathways and talent development. “One of the most iconic women to play the game, now she’s inspiring the next generation”
Entrepreneurs (sponsored by Southern Cross University)
SONIA STRADIOTTO
The well-known and highly-respected and sought-after CEO, creative director and founder of in-demand label Sonia Stradiotto Couture seems to dress half the Gold Coast. Not only is she a successful business owner, she is a good corporate citizen, heavily supporting the Carers Foundation of Queensland. A friend of 30 years describes her as someone who has lived a “colourful life of bold decisions, bold designs and bold dreams”.
LORI PHEGAN
A former Sydneysider who at the age of 46 decided one night to kiss her corporate career goodbye and embark on her own journey, eventually setting up the wildly successful Inappropriate Gift Co. The rest is history. From her kitcen in Western Sydney, it is now famous for being a hit on the popular TV show Australian Shark Tank as well as with the paying public, now exporting to 60 countries. She won a Gold Coast Business Excellence award in May and a Telstra best of business award in 2022.
EVETTE HESS
The Makeup Cartel Brands founder oversees a suite of beauty brands including her wildly successful esmi skin minerals product. A dedicated mother, leading product developer, she has transformed esmifrom a modest new skincare product to one of the most recognised in Australia. She is a strong supporter of charities Baby Give Back, The Royal Hospital for Women Foundation and is described as someone with a “dedication to excellence and passion for empowering others”.
Environmental Warriors (sponsored by We.Are.Phoenix)
SARAH ECCLESTON
The koala specialist and mammal supervisor at the Gold Coast’s beloved Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has led the way on koala research for a quarter of a century. She is described as a “true advocate for this species and for conservation”. She is a children’s book author and also volunteers to help educate children with an emphasis on conservation, giving almost 25 years service to the cause. Described as “not only an advocate for koalas and conservation but also tourism and the Gold Coast”.
CLAIRE MCCULLOCH
The founder of family-run micro flower farm Sown Love at Currumbin Valley has a passion for sustainable agriculture and promoting local, organic farming approaches. She has managed the rare feat of creating a thriving business via her eco-friendly blooms whilst also serving as an educational platform for sustainable farming. “Sows love and cultivates a green future us all” is how she is described.
AMY GASH
The impressive brand and strategy general manager for Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort was awarded the Young Achiever Award for 2022 for outstanding contribution to the Queensland tourism industry. She is not just a sustainability advocate, she’s a tourism promoter too - fostering eco-tourism. Her “passion for sustainability and eco-tourism is a true inspiration” is how she is described.
Professionals (sponsored by Balboa Italian and The Valley Estate)
DEBBIE SAGE
This Attwood Marshall Lawyers senior associate and accredited aged care professional doesn’t just let her responsibilities end at the office entranceway. Along with 18 years at Attwood, she is a fierce advocate for the elderly, committed to their safety, wellbeing and rights. Outside of work and family hours, she has driven legal change, spearheads campaigns to outlaw elder abuse and general ensures vulnerable get their voices heard.
LYNNIE BENZIE
The Village Roadshow Studios president has worked with Village for 33 years and is a key figure in attracting major productions to the Gold Coast, that generate untold jobs and impressive exposure. We all know of Thor, Aquaman and Baz Lurmann’s epic Elvis biopic. She is critical to getting them to come here. You can’t put a price on the publicity that generates (Tom Hanks describing it as one of the best places in the world to act). ‘My goal is ensuring crew have work and the local economy benefit.”
RENEE HENVILLE
The managing director of Integrated Human Resourcing leads a firm which has dealt with well over 300 businesses on the Gold Coast. The firm’s client retention is impressive, with some sticking with the firm for more than 10 years “a testament to their exceptional loyalty, ethics and professionalism. Renee is a mentor for the Queensland Government Business Growth Program. She “particularly supports and advocates for equality within the workspace”.
Wellness Warriors (sponsored by Chempro Chemists)
DANNI GILLHAM
Health devotee Danni Gillham is known by many for helping women at their most vulnerable and transformative state. The physiotherapist and founder of The Wellness Boutique specialises in pre and post-natal care, offering birth preparation and specific work to help with risk factors for delivery and reducing risk of injury down the track. Seven TV personality Liz Cantor nominated her, saying the Burleigh-based mum of two helped her maintain not only her health but her mindset in the lead-up to the birth of her third child.
ANETA SIDELECKA
The holistic transformational coach who is also a licensed real estate agent offers lifestyle wellbeing and spirituality guidance for busy professionals, particularly in the property game.
For the past three years, she has been helping agents with major Gold Coast prestige agency Kollosche “reach their true potential which has reflected through to the major success of the Kollosche brand”.
PATSY TIERNEY
The former two-time world sport aerobics champions is the brains behind Fit Mumma and the Fit Mumma Classic, Australia’s first fitness competition just for mothers. Inspired by her own experience as a single mother, she wanted to create a community to support and spur each other one. Now Fit Mumma draws on 30 years in the fitness industry to help “mums find their spark again”. Her recent first Fit Mumma Classic raised money for local charity Baby Give Back with 100-plus mums taking part.
Young Women (sponsored by Lewis Land Group)
PRIYA VIRDEE-HERO
What doesn’t she do. The Youth Member for Southport as part of the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament is passionate about community change and standing up for the city’s youth.
“ driven and passionate young woman committed to making change within her community”. She is the vice president for the Queensland branch of international youth-run not-for-profit AIESEC, which in English translates as the International Association of Students in Economics and Business. On top of all that she’s a run director for a Main Beach park run, a surf life saver, studying law, and member of Rotary, the Youth Advisory Council and Braveharts youth wing.
OLYMPIA POPE
The Somerset College student, 15, is a member of the national squad at Miami Swimming Club, patroller at Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club, helps out with nippers, volunteers for a homeless group and Kingscliff Netball Club as well as being involved with the popular literary charity Storyfest. She’s also a very accomplished swimmer, natural leader and current record hold for the 13 year 200-metre breaststroke record, previously held by Australian Olympic gold medallist Leisel Jones.
AURORA ILER
Just 12 years old but she already has two short films to her name aimed at driving positive community change. One is focused on kids not bothering to wear helmets on their bikes. Her latest production is about topic of the day, vaping and its prevalence. Her nominator wrote “Aurora works harder than any young person I know. She does not see her age as a barrier”. Her productions created 80 to 100 local jobs. “You will not believe she is 12 when you meet her.”
Stars of Tourism (sponsored by Destination Gold Coast)
VICTORIA PETERSON
The director of marketing and communications for The Langham Gold Coast and Jewel residences has been busily putting the Gold Coast on the world stage as a world-class luxury destination since the five-star hotel opened at the stunning beach-edge hotel. Her efforts won the ‘Best Marketed Hotel’ award at the QHA Awards and she is also involved in Griffith University student mentoring. Described as “highly personable, clever as anything and gets the job done”.
MICHELLE MASSEY
The managing director of Amplify, which specialises in being an accessible travel specialists, is determined to help close the gap to “make the Gold Coast more inclusive and accessible for all”. A passionate Gold Coaster born into the tourism industry, she also gives up her time to help domestic violence victims and leverages her connections and that of her team to help re-accommodate victims and their kids.
ADRIENNE READINGS
The general manager of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia’s largest regional one, is considered a pioneer of business tourism. The facility drives some of the highest-spending visitors this city has and her pivotal role facilitates delivery of billions in economic injection the Gold Coast. She has 30 years experience in the game, described as an “active champion of the Gold Coast” with numerous positions on committees, councils, boards, and known for working after hours and being in the trenches with her 250 staff during events.
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Originally published as Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards 2023 by Harvey Norman finalists
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