Gold Coast Bulletin Power 100 2022 reveals top 10 power couples in business, sport, fashion and entertainment

Each of these people are forces to be reckoned with in their own right – but through their partnerships, their power is amplified. Here are the GC’s dynamic duos

These are among the Gold Coast’s most influential people.

The powerbrokers, movers and shakers, those at the top of their game, celebrities, entrepreneurs and CEOs who are putting the city on the map.

Our journalists and editors have spent weeks debating whose influence and work matters most in 2022 – and now it’s your turn to read, argue, ponder and share the latest instalment: our Top 10 Power Couples.

Each of these people are forces to be reckoned with in their own right – but through their partnerships, their power is amplified.

Do you agree with the selections below? Let us know in the comments.

10. Pandora Bonsor and Lincoln Lewis

The former Home & Away actor and son of rugby league legend Wally Lewis is smitten with his influencer partner, recently taking her for her first trip to Melbourne. Ms Bonsor, an aspiring actor herself, has 27,000 followers on Instagram, is a talented dancer and works in a law firm.

9. Courtney Hancock and Nick Buchanan

Ironwoman Hancock announced her long-awaited engagement to Australian cricketer Buchanan in the lead up to Christmas while on a trip to Noosa.

Hancock this year became the first woman to win four Coolangatta Gold titles, while Buchanan is the son of Australian cricket coach John.

8. Billy and Jackie Cross

The former Cleo magazine journalist and the founder of the Manpower juggernaut - operating in Las Vegas to sell out shows every night with a troupe that also travels the world - operate entertainment powerhouse Cross Promotions International, plus the nightclub and restaurant of the hottest spot in town; Nineteen at the Star. Mr Cross, who has been on the Gold Coast for four decades plus, says it has given him so much that “I can’t be more thankful to the city”. He said he likes to think that the work Cross Promotions does in bringing gigs to the city and festivals is “our pay back for how much the city has helped me”. “If we can work with a promoter to bring 20,000 people here, it all brings benefits to the Coast. I’m happy we can play our part,” he said, adding they had 15 festivals lined up between now and Christmas.

“The great thing now is people are looking at the Gold Coast now and saying this place is moving in the right direction and we are finally becoming an events destination.

“Once upon a time, people would laugh when they said they would bring the Logies to the Gold Coast and say ‘Oh it’s a tacky place’. And now half the people who called it tacky have got egg on their face. They’re now moving here.”

Asked how he felt about being dubbed a power couple of the city, Mr Cross said: “As much as it’s nice to have the recognition, we don’t see ourselves as a powerful couple - we just see ourselves as people working hard for each other and doing things that benefit the city. If we can play our part in the growth of the city and tourism then that’s great.”

Jackie and Billy Cross. Picture: Regina King

7. Liam Talbot and Charli Robinson

The millionaire Australian racing driver, son of billionaire coal baron Ken Talbot, and the former Hi-5 member, now Getaway host, have been inseparable since September 2016. They have two daughters together: Kensington, 3, and Theadora, 1.

Nicholas Buchanan and Courtney Hancock. Picture: Regina King

6. Meaghan Scanlon and Mark Bailey

The 29-year-old Member for Gaven is the youngest ever female state MP and is Minister for Environment, the Great Barrier Reef, Science and Youth Affairs. Mr Bailey is the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. The couple announced they were an item in the Gold Coast Bulletin over breakfast in September 2018 and this week confirmed they were still together.

Labor MPs Meaghan Scanlon and Mark Bailey. Photo: Richard Gosling

5. Tammy Hembrow and Matt Poole

Ironman and Maman Bar and Kitchen restaurant and Bar owner Poole proposed to mega-influencer Hembrow with the help of Tammy’s children Saskia and Wolf last November. Hembrow, currently pregnant with the couple’s first child, is a fashion and fitness phenomenon with 14.4m followers on Instagram, her own clothing line and fitness app.

Tammy Hembrow and fiance Matt Poole. Picture: Chris Hyde

4. Tony Cochrane AM and Thea Jeanes Cochrane

The Gold Coast Suns chairman and former Indy boss runs iEC Entertainment with wife and director Thea. The couple is an authority on entertainment and events production.

Tony Cochrane and Thea Jeanes-Cochrane. Picture: Regina King

3. Bec and Lleyton Hewitt

The actor and her retired tennis champ husband are enjoying a laid-back family life at Burleigh Waters after paying a record price for a property labelled the “most photographed home in Queensland”.

The couple, paid $4.305 million for The Palms, after previously renting in the southern Coast suburb. They share three children – Ava, Mia and Cruz.

Lleyton and Bec Hewitt.

2. Simon and Tah-Nee Beard

This dynamic duo founded the wildly successful Culture Kings fashion empire, propelling them onto the list of Australia’s wealthiest people. The pair holds one of the city’s most impressive property portfolios, having paid a record $15.25m for the Soul penthouse, and also owning mega mansion Riverpoint.

Tah-Nee and Simon Beard.

1. Brett and Rebecca Frizelle OAM

The co-owner of the Gold Coast Titans is also the team’s former chairwoman. Ms Frizelle stepped down as a director of developer Sunland Group earlier this year, but remains on the Griffith University Advisory Board and St Hilda’s School Foundation board. Husband Brett is head of the family’s car sales businesses and co-owner of $32.75m former Sunland development site The Lanes.

Rebecca and Brett Frizelle. Picture: Regina King

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