Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year nominees and finalists honoured at St Hilda’s

A collection of the city’s angels came together to share in heartbreaking and heartwarming stories of courage, strength and determination. Hear from your Women of the Year finalists.

A collection of the city’s angels came together on Wednesday morning to share in heartbreaking and heartwarming stories of courage, strength and determination.

The morning tea hosted by St Hilda’s School in Southport was a celebration of this year’s nominees and finalists for the Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards by Harvey Norman for the category Angels Among Us.

Sponsored by St Hilda’s School, the category recognises women who go above and beyond to make our community – and the Gold Coast – a better place.

The founder of Gold Coast Local Charities Lunch Pam Sturgess, said she was brought to tears the moment she found out she was one of this year’s finalists.

Belinda Doman, Pam Sturgess, Principal Virginia Warner.

“I was humbled, excited, overawed – I just didn’t know what to say, I was in tears,” she said.

“I was just blown away and I’m very grateful.”

The non-for-profit organisation has raised critical funds for local non-for-profit charities for the last six years.

Ms Sturgess said since the announcement of her selection as finalist became public, her social media had been “rather choked”.

“I’m very excited. I’ve had so many calls, I’ve had so many people contact me – the first few days when the finalist’s were announced it was just non-stop and I felt very humbled by that,” she said.

Fellow finalist Belinda Doman said she was blown away when she received her news.

“It was and is so surreal,” she said.

The Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club deputy president and Surf Life Saving Australia learning and development co-ordinator has been a dedicated and passionate volunteer integral to Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club since 1994.

She said it was “uncomfortable” being on the receiving end of recognition.

“It was funny because I spoke to the club about nominating someone for 2024 and they said we don’t think we’ll put in a nomination this year,” she said.

Belinda Doman, Principal Virginia Warner, Pam Sturgess.

“I’m in charge of doing the nominations, so unbeknownst to me they were doing it behind my back.”

Ms Doman added: “I don’t deal very well with recognition. For me part of my role at the surf club is the recognition officer, so I’m behind the scenes making sure other people get the recognition they deserve. It feels really uncomfortable being on the other side to be honest.”

The winner of each category - as chosen by a panel of judges - and the People’s Choice will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at The Star Gold Coast on November 16.

Originally published as Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year nominees and finalists honoured at St Hilda’s