Gold Coast Bulletin’s socialities have named the 2022 Yoo Hoo Awards
While it has been slightly tongue in cheek from us, there are many good and decent people highlighted in here. Collectively they make our city a better place to live and work. See who won the 2022 Yoo Hoo Awards
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Finally for you long-suffering readers we have come to the end of these self-indulgent gongs. While it has been slightly tongue in cheek from us, there are many good and decent people highlighted in here. Collectively they make our city a better place to live and work.
The Dr Doolittle Award
This year the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary celebrated its 75 anniversary with a commemorative ball at The Star Gold Coast. Originally founded by the wonderful Alex Griffiths as the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, it has grown to become a haven for wildlife in our city. Many people have worked tirelessly to promote and grow the sanctuary but nobody embodies the spirit of Alex more than Dr Michael Pyne, (pictured with Jayne Cuttriss), who heads up the Wildlife Hospital. He and his team have effectively saved the lives of more than 150,000 over the past 20 plus years making it one of the busiest veterinary hospitals of its kind in the world. More amazing is that it is all done via donations.
Life is a Cabaret Award
One of the truly great things about the Bleach Festival is how it transforms hidden spots into a magical theatrical experience. Such a one was Mi Amor held in The Precinct at Miami in August. An eclectic mix of burlesque, performance art and cabaret, as showcased by performers Jazida and Piera Dennerstein, the night was a chance to imagine you were in one of those famous Berlin bars of the 1930s. An honourable mention to the staging of the Kate Miller-Heidke concert in the botanical gardens. An enchanted evening and then some.
Ping Pong Anyone Award
Over the years we have watched from the sideline as Matt Ward (pictured with Nick Skein and Gus Carreno) and his productions have grown exponentially with each show. The next step up was his staging of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert which took over the showroom at The Star Gold Coast in July. Astonishing costumes, amazing singing and too much fun for all in the drag romp that had everybody laughing.
Hear Me Roar Award
A few years back this paper launched the Gold Coast Woman of the Year Awards as a means of recognising the great and the good in our city. Yes, it is gender specific but some truly amazing stories have been unearthed. The awards have helped to showcase and encourage women from all works of life who live and work in our city.
To Be Sure Award
St Patricks Day is always a hoot where everybody can pretend that they have some Irish ancestry. One of the best parties is always at Finn McCool’s in Surfers Paradise which is a sea of bad orange wigs and over the top emerald green hats. The danger for us is trying to photograph the fun in the middle of a heaving mass of people, such as Hollie Baker, Summer Spinks and Chloe-Jay Burr, who are singing, dancing and loving the craic. We survived but with next to no voice, covered in beer and sweat but with riotous memories of people having a great night out.
Best Entrance Award
In April the Gold Coast Film Awards emerged from its slumber with an opening night function at HOTA. Two of the stars in attendance were Lincoln Lewis with his girlfriend Pandora Bonsor. She made a giggling confession about getting ready for the red carpet because a mere 15 minutes before this picture was taken she had been riding a jet ski. She came ashore, got changed and with a quick dab of make-up, frocked up and was ready to roll. Now that is low maintenance.
Night Terror Award
If things that scare and horrify are your thing then you need to mark your calendar for November next year and Fright Night at Movie World. The staging is world class while the costumes worn by the performers are next level ghoulish. If you like to get your freak on and get dressed in character, as Kristal Howe and Matt Creswick did, go for it or simply revel in the multiple horror genres that will scare you witless. It is Halloween for adults on an amazing scale.
The Good Guy Award
Nothing to do with TVs, fridges or washers but everything to do with legendary Australian director Bruce Beresford with Lucy Fisher. He was a special guest at the Asia-Pacific Screen Awards at HOTA in November and after he had left we reached out via an intermediary to see if he would do an interview for our Saturday column. That same day he sent a direct email in reply with his mobile and suggested a time to chat. Considering he has worked with the likes of Glenn Close, Morgan Freeman, Diane Keaton, Jessica Lange, Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones, Sharon Stone and Ashley Judd to name drop just a few, it was an unexpected response. No PR people, no managers, no flunkeys – here’s my number, give me a call. Refreshing to say the least.
Unsung Heroine Award
Female boxing may not be your thing but for Yatala born Skye Nicholson, the sweet science has always been part of her life. Her brother Jamie, a talented boxer in his own right, was tragically killed in a car crash before Skye was born. She won a gold medal in the 2018 Commonwealth Games and turned professional after competing at the Tokyo Olympics. Since then she has trained in the same gym as Canelo Alvarez in America, moved to the UK for her career, became the first Australian women to box at Madison Square Garden and is now the Commonwealth Featherweight champion. Next stop ‘champeen’ of the world.
Part II: Who won the 2022 Yoo Hoo Awards
But wait there’s more in part two of this three-part series. One thing we did notice during the year was that as the lockdowns slowly eased, Gold Coasters attacked the social gatherings with relish presumably to make up for lost time. You can’t keep this party town quiet for long.
Executive Order Award
In a few short years under the stewardship of Colin Wheeler and Karen Phillips the Vinnies CEO Sleep Out has become the premiere fund-raiser in the city. There were a few nerves this year with organisers not quite sure how the lockdowns and downturn in business would affect the fund-raising efforts. They needn’t have worried because when the sleeping bags and cardboard boxes had been cleared away, the staggering sum of $654,059 was raised by the local business community. The money will directly help the homeless with projects that will support those most in need.
Citizen Hal Award
We were privileged to be in the crowd when the Gold Coast Australian of the Year Award was announced in June atop HOTA. The range of good people who were announced as finalists in various categories was truly astonishing. All of them doing great things in and around our city but top of the lot was Dr Hal Rice (pictured with wife Jane) who was recognised for his life saving work particularly with stroke victims.
No Business Like Show Business Award
This goes to the Newman family and their many casts of crazy characters over the years who star in Dracula’s Cabaret. What began in a small room in Broadbeach around 30 years ago has become an entertainment powerhouse in the gothic inspired showroom across the road from Pacific Fair. Always innovative, always a great night out and now the third generation of the Newman family is still shocking and rocking the house.
Shine Bright Award
Having come through the multiple lockdowns broken but not beaten, so many entertainers really hit the stage running once they could venture out of their dressing rooms. Such a one was Brunch With Bite, a full-blown drag show which has been packing them in downstairs in Duke’s Parlour at The Island in Surfers Paradise. Full throttle fun from beginning to end, it is the perfect way to start any morning.
Lost in Lust Award
So many shows are now operating at Pink Flamingo it is hard to keep up. In short there is literally something for everyone and one of the many openings was in April when ‘Lust’ was unwrapped. Sensuous, sexy and with a hint of spice, as personified by Brydie Thelan, it was yet another combination of great dance, brilliant costumes, sharp humour and specialty acts for the folks who like to get out and have fun.
Me and Mr Jones Award
At this year’s Gold Coast Mayoress Ball in July broadcasting icon Alan Jones was entering The Pavilion at The Star as we were leaving. He was using a stick for stability after a recent back operation so we asked if he would mind having a photo taken. He then cheekily berated moi for (a) still working and (b) being in better health than he, insinuating that one was a trifle old to be still tottering about the room. We then had a laugh and a photo was taken. One simply has to get an award at one’s own ceremony.
Luxury Plus Award
The opening in October of The Langham Gold Coast, after a year or three of waiting, was yet another marker showing the changing face of our city. As was the opening of Sheraton-Mirage in 1987, this luxe hotel is another game-changer with its emphasis on luxury and service. Gene Simmons of KISS fame stayed there and declared it the best hotel in Australia. (For the record the band did not destroy any rooms.) Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her boyfriend Dr Reza Adib were the star turns on the night adding some political clout to a glam and history making evening.
Best Themed Outfit Awards
So many events returned this year and one of those was the Gold Coast Music Awards. To celebrate the return, organisers Chloe Popa and Amanda Gorman decided to do something special. They commissioned a graphic artist to design and manufacture a special cloth featuring the faces of every single nominee and then had matching suits made for the big day. Best fun on the day was seeing those up for an award scanning the front, back and middle of the suits to find their faces and then squealing delightedly at the discovery. A novel twist on ‘Where’s Wally’.
The Mateship Award
Nothing showcased the amazing spirit of our community then the lunch organised to support Matt Schneider and his family in July this year at Sharks Event Centre. With wife Samantha and children Maggie, Oliver and Louis by his side, the Urbis boss spoke of his fight against grade four bowel cancer and his gratitude that around 500 of his friends had turned out to support him. Best line of the day was when Hickey Lawyers founder Tony Hickey said, “Matt, when you get better — you can shout everyone here lunch.” A special day.
PART ONE: The colourful characters who won the 2022 Yoo Hoo Awards
As we draw close to the end of the year, it is time for our annual review of all that was great and good from our social meanderings. Welcome to the 2022 Yoo Hoo Awards which are, to be frank, meaningless, will not look good on any CV and have no monetary value.
The White Stuff Award
If you’ve never been to a Diner en Blanc event, do yourself a favour and get to the next one. After a break due to you know what, the glam set descended on Queen Elizabeth Park by the beach in Coolangatta toting their food and drink for the ultimate themed picnic. Sea breeze, ocean views and an all-white dress code, as done to perfection by Angela Aliaga, it was simply a magical night. Sign up early for next year’s because numbers are limited.
The Recycling Award
Over the years the kiosk on Kirra Beach has been many things. A place to get ice creams and drinks, transformed into Oskars, then Pizza Hut and now Siblings. The brainchild of the renowned Cianci family, it was launched with a lavish party on a balmy evening in January. The view is sublime and something we think that should be replicated along our coastline wherever possible.
It’s Showtime Award
One of the major reasons tourists come to visit is because of the theme parks. They are an integral part of our appeal offering a heady mix of rides, attractions and fun for all on a daily basis. During the worst of the lockdowns they were haemorrhaging money trying to stay afloat. It was a huge relief when they were finally able to stage vibrant promotions such as Carnivale to get the crowds flooding back. Who better to demonstrate the party in the streets of Brazil than the exotic Tracey Specht who was a flurry of feathers, wings and sparkles as she sambaed around Sea World.
Elvis is in the Building Award
By far the biggest event that hit us this year was the world premiere of ‘Elvis’ in June. Tom Hanks, Austin Butler and Olivia De Jonge were the on-screen stars but overshadowing them all was the ultimate showman himself, Baz Luhrmann. His love for the Gold Coast has been well-documented but daughter Lilly and his Oscar winning wife Catherine Martin also share his passion for the city. A fantastic night at Event Cinemas Pacific Fair with all the hoopla and razzamatazz you would expect from a Hollywood style premiere.
Bump and Run Award
Also on the red carpet at ‘Elvis’ were the expectant gang of three from Channel 7 Gold Coast in the pregnant form of Sally Pearson, Amanda Abate and Liz Cantor. Not sure if a trio of prenatal TV presenters working at the same station together has ever occurred in Australia before but they were positively blooming when we gathered them together for a photo. Bump to bump to bump they made for a great, albeit slightly wider, photo. Great gals all and now with an extra mouth to feed.
Country Life Award
Over our many years doing this job we have attended hundreds of social functions in the Hinterland. Balls and dances aplenty but our favourites were always the various ‘Miss….’ Competitons. They used to be an entry level into the Miss Australia Quest and were an integral part of the social fabric of the various districts. With that in mind it was great to go and cover the Miss Mudgeeraba Showgirl. Kelsey Pienaar was crowned the winner but we met so many wonderful young women who were simply supporting their community, making new friends and having a great time.
Naughty Boy Award
This could easily be renamed for Services to the Media and Legal Professions which means it can only be one person – the unsinkable and sometimes unthinkable Peter Foster. So many court appearances in the past year and even more mentions in media across Australia, he is the gift that just keeps on delivering. He is a guaranteed source of endless click bait and draws a crowded press horde to hear his heartfelt soliloquys on the injustice of it all from the steps of the court house du jour. As Kamahl used to say – Why are people so unkind?
Cooly Kid Award
If there is one sport that defines us on the world stage it is surfing. Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, Peter Drouyn, Paul Neilsen, Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmour and many others with their titles and deeds have carved the Gold Coast surfing fraternity into the history books. To that list you can add Joel Parkinson (pictured with his wife Monica) who was inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame at a dinner in May at QT Gold Coast. Best of all he is a champion in and out of the water.
Winter Warmers Award
Since it opened, Cali Beach in Surfers Paradise has been the venue of choice for many memorable parties. Cleverly they also have ingenious themes to keep the party people flocking back to enjoy the latest promotional launch. In June it was time to announce Rooftop Lodge, a mock ski lodge atmosphere which was best personified by Shenaye Thorpe and Milena Lydzbinski in their winter whites.
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