Business leaders honour Paula Stafford, who is credited with bringing the bikini to Australia

QUEENSLAND'S bikini-scattered shoreline might have looked different if weren't for this 92-year-old following her original career ambitions.

Stafford gains top honour

QUEENSLAND'S bikini-scattered shoreline might have looked different if 92-year-old Paula Stafford had followed her original career ambitions.

Melbourne-born Ms Stafford is credited with bringing the bikini to Australian beaches, however, the swimwear matriarch has revealed she originally intended to trade lycra for a hard-hat and become an architect.

"I had a notebook and would design unit blocks and buildings but my headmistress said I should study something more feminine," she said.

"I thought that was a big joke."

But Ms Stafford's decision to put aside her architectural aspirations and attend the Emily McPherson School of Domestic Economy proved to be a clever one.

The mother-of-four started designing and making her own beach attire, which was soon to become the hottest accessory on Gold Coast beaches.

"We were living at Surfers Paradise and everybody wanted what I was wearing," she said.

"I kept telling them I was too busy with four children.

"But I agreed to make one for someone and orders rushed in, it all went a bit bonkers."

READ THE FULL STORY ON THE HALL OF FAMERS IN BOOM MAGAZINE IN TODAY'S PRINT EDITION OF THE COURIER-MAIL

The business was soon stocked in more than 400 shops but, despite its international reach, Ms Stafford said its success was home grown.

"We lived right on top of the business in Surfers Paradise where it all started," she said.

"The kids came into the business as they grew up.

"I just loved what I was doing."

Ms Stafford, who is "pretty nonchalant about the clothing business now", gradually handed over the reins to her children.

"When they came into the business, I could run away and have holidays," she said.

Last night, the sprightly nonagenarian, who doesn't use the word retired, was recognised for her success when she was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.

The awards, which celebrate the achievements of people and organisations that have enhanced the state's reputation and economy, were held at a black-tie gala event at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

WINNERS inducted into Hall of Fame

The Brett Family:

Iconic Queensland family business that started off in the timber cutting trade in Maryborough 130 years ago, and grew to be - at its peak - one of the largest hardware and building trade companies in the state. The company (and family) has adapted and changed with the times, and according to Bill Brett jnr is now working on its fourth generation of entrepreneurs.

Mackay Sugar

Mackay is one of the great survivors of the Queensland corporate scene, have endured over a century and a half in an industry which is now dominated by foreign players. Chairman Andrew Cappello attributes much of the company's success to its grower ownership, and a preparedness to embrace innovation and diversification through add-on businesses such as electricity co-generation.

Country Women's Association

A part of Queensland life for over 90 years, the CWA is more associated with craft and cookery stalls than business, but that perception belies an organisation that has survived and prospered on its corporate smarts. The CWA's business history has seen it fund some of the first rural hospitals, run various bursaries and scholarships, and fund and build a network of CWA community infrastructure

Charles Chauvel

Chauvel is the name perhaps most synonymous with cinema in Queensland, and demonstrated that - despite the hardships of meagre budgets, enormous distances and a lack of industry support - film could indeed prove big business that packed the crowds in. The Warwick born film-maker gave the world classics such as In the Wake of the Bounty, The Rats of Tobruk and the still powerful Jedda - all of which required an often entrepreneurial spirit to see through to completion.

Paula Stafford

The woman who is credited with created the first bikini, and turning that simple two piece into a decades long fashion career with a worldwide branding - and achieved that long before what we now call globalisation. One of her strengths was marketing, and she embraced the controversy her designs sparked to attract attention and sales.

QUF

QUF, born of the merger between dairy companies Peters and Pauls more than half a century ago, has survived and thrived on innovation. The company - now owned by Parmalat - was the first to sell milk in square bottles with foil caps, the first in Queensland to install a commercial computer (1962), and brought us the 'popper'' fruit juice concept.

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