REVEALED: 21 women named Gold Coast Harvey Norman Women of the Year 2021 finalists
After sifting through more than 100 high-quality entries for seven categories of the Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year awards, judges have announced the 21 finalists.
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The judges have spoken.
After sifting through more than 100 high-quality entries for seven categories of the Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year award, they have narrowed it down to 21 finalists.
One, Montana Atkinson, has made it as a finalist for two categories - Young Women and Champions of Sport.
Read about the lives of our finalists below.
• The winners of the categories will be revealed at a glittering dinner at The Star Gold Coast on July 16. Tickets are available at www.womenoftheyear.com.au.
• The sponsors are Harvey Norman, The Star Gold Coast, MxSkincare, St Hilda’s School Gold Coast, Southern Cross University and We.Are.Phoenix.
ANGELS AMONG US (Presented by St Hilda’s School Gold Coast)
JANE HOLMES (Support the Girls CEO/founder)
Jane is a mother, widow, multiple cancer survivor, inspiration, paralegal and Queen of Resilience. Her mission to help disadvantaged women reclaim their sense of self-worth is deeply personal as she has walked in their shoes on many fronts. She is a very private but headstrong person determined to bring change in her calm unassuming way. She brings formidable energy and passion. Widowed to suicide at 39, she was left to raise three children. In 2015 Jane was forced to give up a successful career and financial security to have her ankle reconstructed for a second time. Since starting Support The Girls Australia in March 2016, Jane has also dealt with a third journey: cancer. In between managing the complete business and operations side of Support The Girls Australia, Jane facilitates face to face support for families bereft of a loved one to suicide in her capacity as a suicide counsellor; lectures in PTSD; and works as a paralegal specialising in historical institutional abuse cases. Jane has always been involved in community work from a young girl. She has sat on numerous committees and boards including TSS, Lynne Richardson Community Centre, Cloud 9 ASD to name a few. Jane is a private person and spends her rare spare time reading and investing any spare time with her grandson. She says music is her sanity.
IN HER OWN WORDS: The best advice I can give any woman or young girl with a goal or dream is to believe in yourself, work hard and speak your truth. Your authenticity and truth is the most powerful tool you have - do not ever become a chameleon to fit in with others - stay true to your journey.
As women we have to navigate a world that is still predominantly male led - and it is important that we create the change needed to alter the imbalance that exists. I am a strong advocate for supporting all women. No matter what your circumstances are in life you can achieve, believe and make a start one step at a time.
As women we need to come together and help all women rise - we have to do this with no judgment but honest compassion and support. I am truly humbled with the way I have dealt with my journey in life. I have survived multiple challenges in my life - more than one person should ever have to endure - but instead of being a victim, the challenges have moulded me into the person that I have become - it has made me resilient - compassionate - empathetic - headstrong but most importantly an individual that can - with authenticity guide and encourage other women to rise and shine.
Why? Because I’ve truly done it on my own.
ROXANE FOULSER-PIGGOTT (FreddyMatch director)
Roxane is 35 and founder of FreddyMatch, which is part of the Freddy Bear Foundation.
She has had three children: Samuel (nearly three), Ellis (six months), and Frederick. Frederick, born in 2017, died at just 16 days following a sudden infection and short time in hospital. Since Freddy passed away, Roxanne has dedicated her life to helping others. Roxanne has held senior corporate roles at Suncorp and Deloitte and has a PhD in Engineering from Imperial College London. She is now working full-time on growing FreddyMatch - a platform to help people find volunteering opportunities. Roxane is incredibly humble, spectacularly intelligent, but above all caring and desperate to turn the most unbearable sadness you can experience into something positive. From her husband who nominated her: “Roxane would never apply for this on her own. She’s not the type of person to attract attention to herself. What she has accomplished is remarkable and inspirational. I’m married to her, and Freddy was my boy...and I honestly don’t know how she does it.”
IN HER OWN WORDS: I lost my first child, Frederick, when he was two weeks old. I started FreddyMatch in his memory to try to help people find a way to volunteer for causes that they are passionate about. Four years on, it is strange to reflect on the many positive things that have happened since he passed away. Everything I do is to try to honour his life and the amazing impact he had in such a short time. I wouldn’t be here without him.
AMBER FORD (Show the Way CEO/Founder)
Amber is a remarkable woman who has shown a pandemic cannot stop her passion for helping the homeless or delivering a vital service to this very marginalised community. Amber is married with two children and started Show the Way two years ago when she saw the desperate need for a meal service for the homeless in the Labrador area.
Throughout the pandemic Amber and her team of volunteers delivered hot meals every Monday night in Labrador, at times covered head to toe in PPE, to our homeless and marginalised. When most other food services shut down, she pushed through all the obstacles to continue her service. Amber provides exceptional leadership to the volunteers in the organisation. Amber empowers marginalised women to advocate for themselves, with a kind and guiding hand. She inspires many women to join the organisation, in small and large ways, to help the homeless. Amber has big plans to expand Show the Way by providing a one-stop shop to assist and advocate for all homeless and marginalised women on the Gold Coast.
IN HER OWN WORDS: I’m so grateful for family, friends and followers who have supported me along the way. I love what I do and that shows in every day life, by helping others, specially women to see their way out of a troubled place and get their lives back together. I was like that once a time ago and I was truly blessed to have a strong woman that mentored me back into a new amazing journey in life. To all our fellow woman out there, well done for who YOU are.
CHAMPIONS OF EDUCATION (presented by Southern Cross University)
JENINNE TAX (Study Gold Coast, head of partnerships & trade)
Jennine is a well respected, experienced and passionate senior leader with a demonstrated ability to help the education and training sector at all levels achieve many objectives. Students have faced challenges, transitioning to online study while managing isolation, loss of employment and impact on their families due to COVID-19. Jennine pivoted the Student Hub online for services and engagement with peers; managed the introduction of accommodation grants; and co-ordinated distribution of 37000 meal packs. Her work on the new Student Jobs site helped students survive challenging times while reassuring them that choosing this study destination was right choice. She mentors and coaches many colleagues and students from within the organisation and in the education and training sector creating a culture of empowerment and learning for many. Her years of experience and strong ethics makes it easy for many to look up to her as a leader and a well-grounded mentor to many. Jennine is also a very active participant within the surf lifesaving community and represents a benchmark in respect, attitude and good culture promotion and beliefs for young women.
IN HER OWN WORDS: Young people and particularly young women need to believe that they can absolutely achieve their full potential right here on the Gold Coast. I’ve always encouraged my daughters to live a ‘big life’; be adventurous, take that risk, say yes to that opportunity, join that sporting club, help a friend, because at every turn there’s an opportunity for personal growth. But, beyond quality education and the right attitude, when industry opens their doors to a young person for work experience or mentoring, and takes an interest in their future it can make all the difference. Businesses on the Gold Coast, small and large, along with the public sector, you need young talent to grow and thrive, and I call on you to play your part in nurturing a young person as a powerful investment in the future of your business and this city.
JODIE FORSTER (Youth Worker)
Jodie works at Arcadia College a specialty school for disengaged young people. Jodie was one of a handful of Youth Workers who knew that there were many vulnerable young people disengaged from school and life. Many were heading down a wrong life pathway and Jodie knew they needed saving. Realising that education and engagement can be a saviour, Jodie and a few Youth Workers got a small amount of funding to start up a youth engagement program. Some 15 years later this program has morphed into a purpose-built $18,000,000 school at Robina. From the humble beginnings in a small space in Palm Beach, now, after begging and borrowing for years a state-of-the-art school for over 250 students is built engaging students who have experienced a tough time in mainstream schooling. These students would have fallen through the cracks and may have never remained nor returned to education. Jodie never puts herself first, she is modest and very humble about all that she does. Jodie is not well off and yet is the first one to put her hand in her pocket to help. Jodie is a very worthy recipient.
IN HER OWN WORDS: I have battled through tough times, but have always found that helping others ignites a drive and passion within me, and I use this fuel to ensure that our college meets the needs of individuals who face similar or same challenges. I prefer to adopt an advantaged mindset, whereby I focus on the positives and ensure individuals aren’t being labelled or misrepresented. Working at Arcadia College, allows me to not only change lives, but truly save lives, by unlocking young people’s passion and purpose through providing an opportunity to access education and the support mechanisms they require for individual success. I never let failure deter me, instead, I let it motivate me to work harder and smarter.
ANGELIQUE MALONEY (Senior Sergeant, District Duty Officer, Queensland Police Service)
Angelique is a Senior Sergeant, District Duty Officer in the Gold Coast District and is the highest ranking female operational police officer on the Coast. She has been a member the QPS for 28 years and is a mother of two boys and a stepmother as well. Angelique has devoted more than half of her life to serving the people of Queensland and has balanced her work and personal life in an exceptional manner despite the rigours of operational policing. Angelique is a role model to all females but especially to those junior members in the QPS. Angelique mentors junior officers and provides leadership at critical incidents, providing advice and displaying unquestionable professionalism. Angelique is a strong independent woman who has a passion of helping others and displays the highest level of integrity and professionalism. Angelique is highly expected by her peers, both superior and junior and inspires other females in the QPS to achieve their dreams. Angelique deserves to be acknowledged for her commitment to the Queensland community and for her the guidance and leadership she provides to other females in the QPS.
IN HER OWN WORDS: It is important for police officers and the Queensland Police Service as a whole to have leaders who keep their passion for operational policing strong. I have nearly 30 years on road policing experience. The daily challenges faced by operational Police are both confronting and taxing. I have a passion for operational policing and am fortunate enough to be in a position to provide leadership, support, recognition, motivation and education to junior front line officers. I hope to continue inspiring female officers in the operational field of policing for many more years to come.
CHAMPIONS OF SPORT (Harvey Norman)
MONTANA ATKINSON (aspiring swimmer)
Montana, 13, is an S14 Multiclass National swimmer who dedicates her week to swimming 9 x 2hr sessions of training and her dream is to represent Australia at the Para Olympics for Paris and Rio. Montana has had to learn to overcome fears and challenges. When she was just eleven, she experienced a massive seizure that left her intellectually disabled and telling her storey is a chance for perspective. She lives for swimming ¬- that is what gets her through her day. She always smiles and nothing will keep her down. Montana doesn’t have a lot of friends but the friends she has are true and keep her going. During Covid she trained hard and despite all the tests in hospital and repeat medical appointments Montana still smashed Queensland records for 12 years and now striving for the 13s. Montana has always looked at her passion as something she gets excited about and sets her heart racing. She holds on to her enthusiasm and puts it towards living a purposed filled life and hoping her inspiration will enable others with challenges in their life they will overcome.
IN HER OWN WORDS: Explore what’s already within you. Be determined, set your goals, always look forward and be willing to make sacrifices in life, knowing that the outcome will be worth it in the end. Without discipline there is no reward. I have had roadblocks since moving to Queensland: I broke my knee and was in a wheelchair for 12 weeks with no weight bearing, then I had a seizure that left me with a brain injury and Intellectually Disabled. My determination is what got me through each day. Whatever challenges you face you can adjust and overcome these and thrive.
KARA SAUNDERS (Professional CrossFit Athlete)
Kara is a Professional CrossFit athlete who is the World’s fittest mum. She’s 31 and bases herself out of Mudgeeraba. Kara is an amazing inspiration for women around the world. Business owner, professional athlete, mum, wife and all-round legend.
From placing second in the world at the 2017 CrossFit Games, 4th in 2018, giving birth in 2019 and then placing seventh in 2020. She is technically the world’s fittest mum and is looking to win the CrossFit games in July 2021. Kara promotes such a strong healthy image and is fan favourite within the CrossFit community. She also competed throughout the night in a virtual US event whilebreastfeeding her baby girl and ended up finishing fourth.
Amongst this all Kara launched a successful business on the Gold Coast which has grown exponentially. Her business is based on the Gold Coast and it donates five per cent of their profit to the Keala foundation. Kara promotes a healthy and balanced lifestyle and never compromises on her values of family, health and being active with her Gold Coast followers.
MELISSA LEWIS (ultimate cricket volunteer)
Melissa has gone to incredible lengths to grow girls’ cricket on the Gold Coast this year taking on many roles and spending countless hours providing opportunities and coaching to ensure the girls playing on the Gold Coast are enjoying the best possible experience.
She wears many hats including but are not limited to: Coach of the Mini Fins; Assistant coach at the Gold Coast Dolphins; Gold Coast Junior Director of Coaching- Including the trails and pre-season academy; Chair of the Cricket Gold Coast girl’s participation sub committee; Gold Coast Dolphins committee; Coach of the Southern Blaze U15 Girls rep; Coach at the U17 female challenge; Coaches 2 Cricket Australia ID Players. The work she has done has ensured the girls participation on the Gold Coast will continue to grow rapidly and compete with the talent produced anywhere in Australia.
IN HER OWN WORDS: After almost 20 years of playing I’ve only ever had two female cricket coaches. In my professional life I’ve always gravitated to female mentors, to COOs and General Managers who taught me that not only can we play in the same sandbox as the men but sometimes, we even own the sandbox. I love volunteering - it is one of those thankless jobs, you don’t do it for the glory you do it because you want to help and because you have a passion for something other than yourself. I love this game, I love what it teaches you about yourself and others.
ENTREPRENEURS (presented by We Are Phoenix)
JACKIE CROSS (Director, Cross Promotions)
The director of Cross Promotions International, has been dominating the event realm for 20
years, from owning nightclubs and festivals to aligning with high-end corporate brands and always adding her special brand of energy and optimism. Jackie has always been the brightest light in the room. Since its opening, Jackie has helped turn Nineteen at the Star into one of the Gold Coast’s must-see venues. Being such a kind and passionate person, yet an absolute dominant force in her industry, Jackie is an inspiration to all women. Whether you are an aspiring businesswomen, or any women in a male dominant field, Jackie is showing women everywhere how its done. An absolute angel, a proud Gold Coaster and a pioneer in every respect. A kind and friendly face to everyone she meets.
IN HER OWN WORDS: My journey as a business person and mother has seen many incarnations. There have been some wins, many obstacles and a ton of setbacks. As a young woman, I often found I wasn’t taken seriously, and have had to work harder to prove myself. I have been referred to as a ‘wife’ or ‘working mum’ or even a ‘good girl’ during a meeting. As an entertainment entrepreneur I’ve learnt that resilience, vision and risk tolerance go hand-in-hand. Faced the decision to have a double mastectomy and preventative full hysterectomy, to minimise my chances of breast and ovarian cancer; I came to know a layer of strength I didn’t know I had.
TAMIKA SMITH (The Top 100 Women CEO)
Inspirational young leader in the construction sector and the Gold Coast
community. Recently named “The Most Influential Woman in Construction”, Tamika’s expertise ranges from project management, development, to top salesperson within Australia’s largest residential building company. Starting in the construction sector at just 19, having her own company from the age of 21, Tamika’s career scaled further into residential projects delivering an end-to-end development model, soon specialising in delivering social and affordable housing. The Top 100 Women is a Professional Industry Association for women in construction, connecting some 13,500 individuals all over the world. The recently released technology platform has been regarded as an “essential tool for women in the construction sector,” changing the game as we know it today within male dominated segments all over the world. Tamika has demonstrated herself to be a successful young entrepreneur with a passionate commitment to purpose-led enterprise and social values.
SHELLEY JACKES (Magnus Health director)
I am an entrepreneur, psychologist and mother of three; passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives. As the founder and director of NDIS registered service provider Magnus Health, my team and I provide support for people on the Gold Coast with complex mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, intellectual disability, brain injury, post traumatic stress, autism and psychotic depression diagnoses. A number of our clients require 24-hour care, and our roster is around the clock. We are on call 24-hours a day. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve achieved in such a short time. We’ve made an enormous difference in
the lives of dozens of families on the Gold Coast and surrounds and this number will just continue to grow. I believe the combination of my support for an underserved part of the Gold Coast community, coupled with my success as an entrepreneur and leader, makes me a deserving winner for this award.
IN HER OWN WORDS: There is no greater threat to the critics, cynics and fearmongers than the woman who is willing to fall because she has learned how to rise. Lessons in learning how to rise can come from many interesting places. Starting up a company was definitely one of those uncomfortable places. Since our inception we have supported many clients with significant mental health needs and grown from zero employees to, at last count, 55 employees. Our annual turnover is now over $3 million dollars and our support roster looks like a highly confusing game of Tetris.
ENTERTAINERS (presented by The Star Gold Coast)
CRIENA GEHRKE (HOTA CEO)
Criena has been a driving force behind the city’s arts landscape, from 2014 when she wrote the city’s Cultural Strategy to guiding the redevelopment of our arts precinct including the opening of the new outdoor stage, and this year the highly anticipated Gallery.
Criena is articulate, clever, strong, vocal, has tenacity and is filled with passion for our city’s arts and cultural landscape, and the people that are involved in it. She demonstrates to other women how to be passionate, fierce, loyal and powerful in a city dominated by male leaders and decision makers. She is a role model.
IN HER OWN WORDS: I am totally unapologetic in my belief that art makes the world a better place and that Gold Coast artists are amongst the best in the world. HOTA is so much more than a job to me – in this role I have the chance to make a difference. To bring people together, to tell the stories of this city, to sometimes change the way we see the world, to laugh, cry, make memories together. There’s no doubt being a cultural leader has its challenges and comes with great responsibility but the fearless creative energy and depth of talent in this city is outstanding. The cultural revolution of the Gold Coast is a team effort. I couldn’t be prouder to be standing alongside the dreamers, visionaries, city leaders, decision-makers and champions who are together embedding arts and culture into the very fabric of our city and creating a legacy for future generations.
AARTI BAJAJ (CEO/Founder, Artistic Director)
A medical sonographer by trade, Aarti is a wife, mother, triathlete and is also the director of Navrasa Dance School (trading as 9Expressions Performing Arts). Aarti holds a degree in Indian contemporary and classical dance. Aarti had dreamt of bringing the story of MEERA to the stage for 14 years, but in 2017, she decided to do just that. Aarti went about assembling a cast and crew of 300 local amateur performers to create the stage spectacular MEERA which played at HOTA on November 4, 2018, to a sold-out crowd of 1100. Aarti is the unique amalgamation of health, arts and business – from being a qualified physiotherapist,
masters in Australian medical sonography for 14 years and creative health practitioner, to artistic director, producer, choreographer, actor, dancer with a bachelor’s degree in Indian Classical Dance (Bharatnatyam) and MBA (pursuing currently). Aarti is a tireless ambassador for the arts. She is passionate about cultural diversity inclusiveness and building arts as a viable career path for our future generations. She has continued to receive widespread attention, recognition and accolades in 2020 for her work including being awarded the winner of 2020 Cultural Achievement Awards by the City of Gold Coast.
IN HER OWN WORDS: If nature has given us women the capability to bring new lives into this world, and the strength to nurture it then it’s about time we recognise that inner strength and channelize it into believing in ourselves and go for whatever we aim to achieve. There is no such glass ceiling made that is too high or too strong for a determined woman to break. I am an eternal optimist. I have never seen life as an obstacle race instead channelized my hurt from multiple incidences of discrimination – be it gender, race, ethnicity, colour, social or cultural, to create a better place for others to follow.
EMMA MILIKIN (Miami Marketta founder, creative director)
Emma led the cultural wave of the Gold Coast almost 10 years ago. Transforming a warehouse into a creative precinct through countless efforts to change town planning zones and regulations. This has paved the way for others to pave a similar path without complication.
The Marketta is still to this day the leading cultural grassroots entertaining district on the Gold Coast. Emma is focused and selfless when it comes to creating opportunities for others. Tirelessly working on new projects to create more events to showcase the Gold Coast as a cultural destination. Emma has mentored so many artists and businesswomen who may have started their careers at Miami Marketta under her guidance These women are now integral contributors to the arts and cultural scene. From her nomination: “I am always amazed at Emma’s dedication - but more so now since having her first child at 41, after putting off children in her 30s and putting the Marketta project first. Emma is a huge advocate of women using their brains as their best asset, not their bodies.”
WELLNESS WARRIORS (presented by MxSkincare)
LISA BERGSMA (Entrepreneur)
Lisa is the founder and director of the In Shape Mummy company. She has helped over 5000 new mums get healthier with her unique In Shape Mummy Health Shake. After her first child, Lisa struggled with weight, severe sleep deprivation and the constant demands of being a new mum. Lisa put everything on the line and assembled a team leading dietitians and nutritionists, who were also mums. Together they developed a healthy superfood shake that is packed
full of nutrients to give mums the boost in energy they need while helping them to lose weight in a healthy way – the In Shape Mummy Health Shake.
Lisa has helped over 5,000 Australian mums get back into shape and regain their confidence after child birth with her quick and easy superfood shake. Eating better, losing weight and feeling more confident about their milk supply has helped mums to feel better about themselves. It has helped many mums who were struggling with the “baby blues” to live healthier and happier lives. Lisa is passionate about health and wellbeing and is on a mission to help as many mums she can. When she saw the difficulties that her fellow mums were struggling with, she threw herself into finding ways to help.
IN HER OWN WORDS: My biggest challenge was becoming a mother. It almost broke me. I battled with severe post-natal depression, sleep deprivation and the constant demands of motherhood. I had trouble getting back into shape. Once I learnt I was not alone, I knew I had to do something to help other mothers feeling this way. I put everything on the line including my house and it paid off. I have now helped over 5,000 Aussie mums live healthier and happy lives. Helping other mums is my purpose in life and it has been incredibly fulfilling to make a positive difference in the world.
LOUISA HOLLENBERG (Earth & Skin Day Spa)
Louisa is the founder and owner of Earth and Skin Organic Day Spa. A spa dedicated to mindful spa treatments without negative impact to their client’s health or the environment. She is the author of the book Clean Skin in a Dirty World. She has your own podcast titled The Dirty World where she talks about sustainability, health & beauty for busy, busy women.
She is inspiration and role modal to many women on the Gold Coast. She runs a very successful business, is a mum to two beautiful children, a wife, daughter, sister. Like many of us, she wears multiple hats and still manages to find time and energy to care about her clients, community and environment. She employees 12-plus Gold Coast women who work tirelessly to promote mindful spa treatments, educate clients and the community on sustainability, health and wellness.
IN HER OWN WORDS: Women tend to look after everyone else before they look after themselves which means there is not a lot left in their cup. I want women to flip this on its head. Fill your cup first. Anyone who prioritises their own health and wellbeing can achieve a lot more and be a better mother, a better boss or employee, a better partner and make better decisions overall. After my mothers breast cancer and my fertility challenges, I created a space where women wanting better health can come and feel nurtured and cared for in a safe, friendly and luxurious environment using only organic, vegan and cruelty free products.
CAROLINE BELLENGER (Epic Pro Fitness founder)
Caroline Bellenger is a passionate life coach, motivational speaker and creator of ‘Be The Impossible’ courses. From childhood sexual abuse to over 20 years of addiction and mental health issues, Caroline finally got sober in 2009.
Since then, Caroline has gone on to represent Australia in triathlon, climb to Everest Base Camp, complete an honours degree, compete in national Surf Life Saving events, have a successful corporate career and currently operates a thriving fitness studio and life coaching business. She achieved all of this as a sole single parent while volunteering over fifty hours a year to various community organisations, including being an active surf lifesaver. Caroline is passionate about women’s health and wellbeing through sustainable lifestyle changes. Her community-based gym focuses on holistic health, something she finds sadly missing in much of the current fitness industry. Her partnership with the City of Gold Coast Active and Healthy Program for the past four years has enabled her to connect 100s of women in a fun and social environment while working out and getting fit. By walking the talk Caroline shows other women that it is possible to be successful in life, full of fitness and strength no matter what happened in their past and regardless of age.
MELANIE PLATT (Perfect Pelvic Floor director)
Melanie is the Director of Perfect Pelvic Floor, a part-time Lead Physiotherapist, at Ridiculously Well (Elanora), and Contract Physiotherapist for Tennis Australia and the International Tennis Federation. Melanie juggles several roles and has actively worked to improve women’s health on the Gold Coast for nearly a decade since moving from Sydney, NSW. She also donates her time to assist in sex trade trafficking in Cambodia. Melanie works tirelessly to invest in the health of others – she volunteers her time regularly to help those less fortunate. Melanie recently travelled to Dubai at short notice to assist tennis players qualify for the Australian Open and continued to work while in Quarantine in Melbourne
(24 consecutive days of work). She is currently finalising her travel requests to travel to Tokyo, Japan for the Paralympics to support Wheelchair Tennis players. Melanie is planning on starting a family soon, but has continued to undertake high risk work to benefit
others during the Covid-19 pandemic.
IN HER OWN WORDS: There was a time in my life where my health was at an all-time low. I was stressed and helpless. Financial pressures had pushed me to the point of exhaustion, and I was trying to overcome pneumonia. I couldn’t see a way forward. That’s when I realised without your health you have nothing. There are so many of us in the same position trying to be everything to everyone. You can be anything, but you do not need to be everything. I’m here to say YOU ARE ENOUGH!
YOUNG WOMEN
MADISON BIRTCHNELL (Youth advocate)
Madison is an international award-winning youth advocate, speaker and emerging leader. She is an exceptional person who is determined to give back to her community, advocating for equality, good youth mental health and social justice. Madison has represented Australian youth in the Women Deliver Young Leaders Program, the Commission on the Status of Women and has most recently been appointed Australia’s first representative in the UNITE 2020 Youth Delegate Program. A devoted volunteer, she has already given over a decade of service to a variety of community groups and causes she is passionate about with a number of her initiatives achieving a level of global recognition. Madison’s efforts have seen her reach thousands of young people and she currently holds a myriad of advisory roles with government and NFP organisations to discuss young people’s perspectives and bring about positive change. Most recently, Madison was an international recipient of the Diana Award in recognition of her trailblazing efforts across industry and community sectors. She is also the Australian recipient of the 2018 Jane M. Klausman International Scholarship in Business Administration presented by Zonta International. This Scholarship is globally highly competitive. Madison is a highly ethical and motivated person and is dedicated to all she takes on. She also has a very supportive family.
IN HER OWN WORDS: It can be disheartening when your ideas are dismissed because you haven’t had enough life experience yet, or you’re unable to volunteer with an organisation because of age requirements. Often you must work twice as hard to establish trust and relationships. Despite these challenges I have been fortunate to connect with organisations that recognise the value of giving young people a seat at the table and listening to our ideas to build a better tomorrow.
MONTANA ATKINSON (aspiring swimmer)
Montana is a 13-year-old S14 Multiclass National swimmer who dedicates her week to swimming nine times two hour sessions of training and her dream is to represent Australia at the Para Olympics for Paris and Rio. Montana has had to learn to overcome fears and challenges. When she was just eleven, she experienced a massive seizure that left her intellectually disabled and telling her storey is a chance for perspective. She lives for swimming that is what gets her through her day. She always smiles and nothing will keep her down. The friends she has are true and keep her going. During Covid she trained hard and despite all the tests in hospital and repeat medical appointments Montana still smashed Queensland records for 12 years and now striving for the 13 years of age. Montana has always looked at her passion as something she gets excited about and sets her heart racing. She holds on to her enthusiasm and puts it towards living a purposed filled life and hoping her inspiration will enable others with challenges in their life they will overcome.
IN HER OWN WORDS: Explore what’s already within you. Be determined, set your goals, always look forward and be willing to make sacrifices in life, knowing that the outcome will be worth it in the end. Without discipline there is no reward. I have had roadblocks since moving to Queensland: I broke my knee and was in a wheelchair for 12 weeks with no weight bearing, then I had a seizure that left me with a brain injury and Intellectually Disabled. My determination is what got me through each day. Whatever challenges you face you can adjust and overcome these and thrive.
OLIVIA-ROSE STANDBANK (Making Rainbows charity)
Olivia-Rose is six years old and created a charity called Making Rainbows By Liv. She paints canvases and sells these for $10 and donates 100 per cent of the proceeds to a charity called Rosies that supports those who may be experiencing either homelessness or tough times. Liv gives up her time to create masterpieces, with her mum paying for all her utensils and ensuring she can keep going. Olivia-Rose gives 100 per cent of what she makes back to the charity. She has appeared on Seven news, 11 online news and many newsletters.
She is amazing! Liv is so kind-hearted she just wants the world to be a place that accepts all people. She knows she is fortunate and just wants to make sure everyone has the chance to feel safe, loved and have food in their bellies. She deserves this award as at a young age she is so incredibly selfless. Liv shows so much compassion and kindness to everyone she meets, her drive to help those less fortunate has brought tears to many and encouraged others to do their bit to always give a helping hand.
IN HER OWN WORDS:
I am 6 years old, when you are little people do not always listen.
I have a big voice and so do other young girls,
and I won’t let anything stop me from my dreams.
I want to be why someone smiles, I make rainbows everyday.
Kindness is magic and I will take it everywhere I go.
My advice is treat people how you want to be treated.
Be kind and love each other.
My mummy says if you can be anything be kind.
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