Today we announce the finalists in the Gold Coast Harvey Norman Women of the Year Awards.

The finalists have been selected by our judges from hundreds of entries submitted.

Some are successful business people, some run charities, some are leaders in arts, sport or entertainment.

But all are making massive contributions to the Gold Coast community.

The winners of our eight categories, the People's Choice award and the overall winner of the Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year, will be announced at a special gala lunch on International Women’s Day on March 8.

CATEGORY ONE: ANGELS AMONG US

PRESENTED BY ST HILDA’S SCHOOL

SIMONE PATTERSON

PALM BEACH

THE SANCTUARY – WOMEN’S, CHILDREN & PETS

Growing up in a home with domestic violence, Simone wanted to ensure she could save as many women and children from that experience as she could. Simone and her husband took out a million dollar loan and used all their retirement savings to purchase, renovate and convert a property into a safe haven for women who need to escape a domestic violence situation.

Women often stay in intolerable relationships, often resulting in death, because it’s too financially and logistically difficult to escape with both their children and pets. Simone gives them an option for a safe place to escape to. She has faced conflict and adversity from neighbours, council, and negative people.  For many, giving up and retiring to a quiet peaceful existence with her husband would be an easier choice – giving up for her is not an option as she is passionate about helping others.

Over the 2.5 years the Sanctuary has been open, she has helped 1125 women, 64 children and 75 pets escape the cycle of domestic violence.

DR CHRISTA BELL & DR SHAHINA BRAGANZA

SOUTHPORT

EMERGENCY DOCTORS, GOLD COAST UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Dr Bell and Dr Braganza make a difference everyday to the lives of Gold Coast families and visitors who find themselves needing emergency medical attention. Dr Bell has been a leader in children’s (and adult) emergency care on the Gold Coast for many years. This has included the establishment of a dedicated 24/7 Children’s Emergency Department at Gold Coast University Hospital, which saw almost 27,000 paediatric presentations in 2017-18. Dr Bell is passionate about recognising every team members’ importance in providing care.

Dr Bell empowers and educates parents about a range of preventable injuries including drowning and swallowing injuries from button batteries, dishwasher tablets and coins as well as the signs and symptoms of sepsis. She featured in the fly-on-the-wall television series Gold Coast Medical when her signature ‘fairy dust’ and colourful personality helped children and their families through treatment. Dr Bell also participates in vital research. She is loved and respected by patients as well as her colleagues for her clinical expertise, and her ability to empower others to be their best selves, professionally and personally.

Dr Braganza has a keen focus on promoting self-care in the healthcare profession and improving the culture in healthcare workplaces. She is the founder of the oneED staff wellness program which has been well received at local, national and international levels. It won the inaugural Gold Coast Health Staff Wellness and Safety Award. OneED began in 2016 and is designed to be inclusive of all staff, clinical and non-clinical. It’s goal is simply to normalise conversations around wellness and struggle so that no healthcare worker will suffer in silence, and ultimately so that patients can receive high-quality and compassionate care.

CARLY FRADGLEY

TALLEBUDGERA

BABY GIVE BACK

Believing that every baby deserves a safe start to life, Carly created Baby Give Back, a unique local charity with the mission of rehoming clean, safe and quality baby essentials directly to families living in crisis on the Gold Coast.

Carly started Baby Give Back when she couldn’t find a charity to rehome her pre-loved baby items, and she realised there were many families struggling to provide essentials for their young children. Initially she created a Facebook page to gauge interest, and then with four friends, founded the charity in December 2016. To ensure items would be rehomed to those most in need, Carly established partnerships with local social workers, case workers and agencies, who refer, collect and deliver specific items to families experiencing crisis such as poverty, violence and other hardships.

Baby Give Back was initially operated from Carly’s home. Carly now leads a team of volunteers in a Burleigh Heads warehouse that collect, sort, and safety-check donations, whilst working on corporate governance, policy and development, social media, and liaising with social services agencies. Carly does whatever is required to ensure that Baby Give Back can help as many babies as possible in the community.

CATEGORY TWO: ENTREPRENEURS

PRESENTED BY FRIZELLE SUNSHINE AUTOMOTIVE

PETA FIELDING

TALLEBUDGERA

CEO & FOUNDER, BURLEIGH BREWING

In 2006, Peta who is a qualified lawyer and at the time lecturing at Bond University, saw a gap in the craft beer market in Australia. She and husband Brennan started Burleigh Brewing and despite early resistance, they persevered and a new industry on the GC was born. The early years of Burleigh Brewing’s life were tough. Not only a case of launching the products and building the business, a market for the product and a channel to sell them through also had to be developed. While Brennan set about brewing top quality beers, Peta was a woman on mission to make the business side of things work. As a result, Burleigh Brewing has played a fundamental role in driving a whole new industry for the Coast that crosses sectors from manufacturing to hospitality and tourism.

In recent years, the Gold Coast has become a shining light in the craft beer industry, with the number of breweries and venues that carry craft beer growing quickly. It is easy to forget that wasn’t always the case. Burleigh Brewing started in 2006 while the Gold Coast’s first craft beer bar, Bine, didn’t open until 2013.

Peta is a natural leader and encourager, and her leadership skills are recognised in a variety of fields. From being on the Commonwealth Games Committee, Bond University Council, Chairperson of the Craft Beer Association and other worthy causes, Peta shines as an example to other women.

EMMA HENDERSON & VICTORIA BEATTIE

KINGSCLIFF

CO-OWNERS, THE BEACH PEOPLE

In the summer of 2013, these sisters had a little idea which has changed the way we look at a simple item and inspired a new fashion trend. Emma and Victoria created the round beach towel and a worldwide sensation was born. The pair continue to push the boundaries on textile invention and design and The Beach People is now a global business.

Still operating from Tweed Heads, the two sisters and mums continue to influence the beach lifestyle market. With offices in LA and Miami, US, the company creates and produces luxe seaside accessories for a global market. These days, their business has a seven-figure annual turnover. They are selling their lifestyle products in over 600 stores in more than 30 countries. Stockists include luxury retailers Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale and Selfridges.

KATRINA SPRINGER

HOPE ISLAND

THE ORGANISED HOUSEWIFE

The Organised Housewife blog was born in August 2010 as a vehicle for Katrina Springer to share recipes, printables, tips and ideas of how she keeps a home clean and organised - without losing her sanity and screaming at the family!

To share the journey, she has created a library of checklists and routines which have helped her through tough times, made home life easier, and to help people reduce their clutter so they can enjoy their home, comforts and space around them.

Her daily dose of domestic inspiration has attracted an amazing 500,000 followers on Facebook and 60,000 on Instagram, and she has turned a little blog into a thriving brand and business.

CATEGORY THREE: CHAMPIONS OF SPORT

PRESENTED BY HARVEY NORMAN

LINDA MONRO

PALM BEACH

NETBALL COACH

Linda has been one of the Gold Coast’s most successful netball coaches at a grassroots level. She takes young girls from the age of 12, from all different walks of life, and brings them together to create teams. She has been coaching netball on the Gold Coast for more than 30 years and gets to know each individual in her team and what makes them tick, to get the best out of them both on and off the court. She creates an environment where each player is valued for their on court talents as well as their off court personalities. She gets first class results from her teams because of the time she puts in to her training sessions as well as all of the team bonding sessions she hosts, in order to create a cohesive unit. Her girls always play for each other because of what she creates.

Linda is a name synonymous with netball on the Gold Coast. She is the woman who always has a smile and a kind word to say, even when things are tough (including her husband’s recent battle with cancer). She challenges her players to not only bring their best on the court, but off the court too. She encourages her young girls to create Vision Boards and does goal setting sessions with them, to help them focus on the positive outcomes available to their life. She is a true treasure of the game (of netball) and an absolute ambassador for what sport is about: strong community and the knowledge someone has your back.

AMBER PILLEY

BURLEIGH HEADS

RUGBY 7s PLAYER / COACH / DEADLY CHOICES OFFICER

Amber represented Australia in Rugby 7’s at the Nanjing Youth Olympics in 2014 bringing home a gold medal. On returning home from the Olympics, and after recovering from a year long ACL injury she played Rugby 7’s for Bond University while also playing Rugby League for the Burleigh Bears. Having played Rugby League and Touch Football since the age of 8, she concentrated more on the code of Rugby League and has since represented the Indigenous All-Stars in the annual All-Stars competition.

She has again gained selection for this team to play against New Zealand in the Harvey Norman All-Stars comp to be held at AAMI Park in Melbourne on 15th February 2019. Amber was contracted and played for the undefeated Broncos team in the inaugural NRL Women’s League comp held in September this year. She continues to play A Grade rugby league for the Burleigh Bears until the new Premiership season kicks in.

Amber is intelligent, ambitious and dedicated not only to her sport but also her position as Program Officer/ Ambassador for Deadly Choices (an innovative program assisting young indigenous children to choose a healthy lifestyle). Amber’s family and support group hope that eventually, her hard work and training will be rewarded with her ambition of representing Australia in her chosen sport of Rugby League in the future.

FIONA MCLARTY

BURLEIGH WATERS

HEAD OF WOMEN’S FOOTBALL, GOLD COAST SUNS

Born and bred on the Gold Coast and with 17 years experience working in AFL, Fiona was the first full-time female development officer in Australia and has been involved in the growth of the sport having been a player, coach and administrator at AFL HQ, with AFL QLD and now as the inaugural Head of Women’s Football with the Gold Coast SUNS.

She was instrumental in securing the AFLW License for the GC SUNS, presenting the bid to the AFL Commission and Executive. She also volunteered as an Assistant Coach during the Women’s Winter Series which saw the GC SUNS play their first games against the Brisbane Lions and GWS Giants.

Fiona is a driving force behind the growth of women’s football in QLD, promoting and overseeing the rapid rise in the number of participants from schools programs, Auskick and junior football. Under her guidance, more than 100,000 women and girls have engaged in the sport with 70 new female teams formed, a majority of those on the GC.

Fiona is in charge of the SUNS women’s team which includes overseeing and recruiting the 150 participants in the SUNS Talent Academy, a pathway into the AFLW team.

CATEGORY FOUR: CHAMPIONS OF EDUCATION

PRESENTED BY GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY

PROFESSOR KARINE DUPRE

SURFERS PARADISE

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY, BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Professor Dupre has been nominated by many of her students as well as her fellow professors. The overwhelming message from these nominations is that Prof Dupre is a role model for young students - particularly for women.

As well as being an outstanding educator, she is incredibly driven with her own research pursuits, but is always available to mentor students to achieve their goals and collaborate together - giving them invaluable experience and helping with future career prospects.

In 2018, 50 per cent of Griffith’s architecture students were women – in a male dominated profession it is vital to have passionate female role models. Karine’s energy and love for architecture is contagious, and she is supportive and engaging in all aspects of the student’s progress. She has very high expectations from her students and demands a lot, but they are engaged, eager and willing to perform well which is the mark of an excellent teacher.

ABBE BRADBURY

HOPE ISLAND

FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, DYNAMITE STUDIOS ACADEMY

Starting Dynamite Studios Australia (DSA) in 2007 and at the age of 21, she was driven by her own, not so positive experiences as a young performer in the entertainment industry. Abbe identified the industry was growing but the pathways to success were scarce and very hard to find.

Commencing dance classes in a community hall on the northern Gold Coast with a handful of students, Abbe has grown the business to be recognised within the industry as an academy of outstanding dance training and education. DSA troupes were recognised again at Australian Dance Festival in August last year for Technical Excellence. DSA  has over 600 students in afternoon classes, formal accredited vocational education and training to the Diploma level, a Performing Arts High School and international talent agency.  

Promoting not only performing arts training excellence but also strong academic achievement, Abbe has formal arrangements in place to facilitate a combination of secondary and vocational studies in an organisation which is a one-of-a-kind in Australia. Armed with a strong vision, Abbe was determined to achieve an Academy of Performing Arts that was a one stop shop for students wanting to pursue a career in the Arts with clear pathways from an interest in the performing arts to a career - that could take a student all over the world.

In the graduating class of 2018, six of the seven Diploma of Dance students have scored contracts around the world from Royal Caribbean Cruises in Florida to the Moulin Rouge in Paris.

VIKI HAYWARD

PALM BEACH

SENIOR TEACHER, ARCADIA COLLEGE

For more than two decades, Viki has helped nurture thousands of local Gold Coast school kids in schools such as Miami High, Palm Beach and Currumbin High. She is currently a senior teacher at Arcadia College, a not for profit school for children who have disengaged with the conventional system. Using her knowledge to help children who been let down, suffered severe trauma and/or don’t fit into the conventional state education system.

Her role is to support the children and get them over the line so they can be job, education and/or life ready when they finish grade 12. This woman is a master educator and is a life-changing force in the lives of many who may have had a very different and bleak path. She makes all her students feel loved, important and safe.

According to those who nominated her, Viki has changed hundreds of lives during her time as a teacher on the Gold Coast.

CATEGORY FIVE: THE ENTERTAINERS

PRESENTED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

CLAUDINE ANDERSON

UPPER COOMERA

FOUNDER, MERCURY’S WINGS THEATRE COMPANYAND DIRECTOR OF NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY

Claudine was a creator of Mercury’s Wings Theatre Company, which has been performing on the Gold Coast for last 14 years. Before and during that time Claudine brought her extensive Classical Ballet knowledge to students of the Gold Coast. Her 10 year professional Ballet career in Europe setting her up to be a sought-after teacher at some of the most prestigious schools on the Coast. Many of her students have gone on to become professional dancers in Europe, NZ and competition winners at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne in Paris. Claudine is also a teacher mentor through the RAD in the UK and is currently Head of Acting at the New York Film Academy- Gold Coast.

Claudine has created/directed 14 theatre productions for Mercury’s Wings, being commissioned by the GCCC on a number of occasions. Her production of Ron Elisha’s ‘Carbon Dating’ was the first Gold Coast production/company to be included in the NARPACA touring program. Her production of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ garnered 8 Gold Coast Area Theatre Awards - with Lauren Brant winning for her acting. Claudine was also responsible for presenting the first Samuel Beckett play, ‘Endgame’ on the Gold Coast. Claudine also directed the sell out performance of ‘Waiting for Godot’ and ‘The Tempest’ at HOTA. Her current position at NYFA puts her at the forefront of acting on the Gold Coast, inspiring another generation of performers.

LOUISE BEZZINA

BURLEIGH HEADS

CEO & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, BLEACH FESTIVAL

Louise Bezzina is the CEO and Artistic Director of Bleach Festival and founded the Festival in 2012. Bleach Festival is the largest arts and cultural festival on the Gold Coast and a maker of new contemporary Australian work. Louise has produced and commissioned over 40 new site-specific works as part of Bleach* Festival across all art forms and scales.

In 2014, Louise co-produced, the very first Opera on the Beach by Opera Australia on the beach at Coolangatta, attracting over 10,000 people. Louise is also one of the Curators on the Cultural Tourism Initiative of the City of Gold Coast, Hotelling. A site specific, immersive arts experience in Hotels.

Louise’s passion and drive and commitment to seeing local artists be able to cement themselves in the city was recognised when The Farm together with Bleach* Festival won the Gold Coast’s first ever Helpmann Award in 2018 for Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production.

AARTI BAJAJ

HOPE ISLAND

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, WILD DREAMER PRODUCTIONS

A medical sonographer by trade, Aarti is a wife, mother, triathlete and also holds a Masters degree in Indian contemporary and classical dance.  She is the director of Navrasa Dance School in Southport. Aarti visited HOTA 18 months ago, scouting a venue for an end of year recital for her Navrasa students. But instead, upon eyeing the incredible Arts Theatre, made a spur of the moment decision to book the auditorium for MEERA - a production she had been dreaming about one day bringing to the stage for more than 14 years.

Aarti then went about assembling a cast and crew of 300 local amateur performers to create the stage spectacular MEERA which played at HOTA on the 4th of November, 2018 to a sold out crowd of 1,100. Aarti not only wrote MEERA, but starred, directed, and managed all facets of the production from sourcing costumes, to working with some of the world’s top maestros to create all original musical compositions for the production, to marketing and everything in-between.

CATEGORY SIX: SPORTING SUPERSTARS

PRESENTED BY HARVEY NORMAN

CHELSEA HACKETT

REEDY CREEK

MMA, MUAY THAI FIGHTER

Chelsea has represented not only QLD in her chosen field over the last six years but represented Australia and won two gold medals in the World Championships.

She successfully runs her own gym at Burleigh Heads and also trains clients specifically in her chosen sport. The female group fitness classes are always jam packed wanting to train with a world champion.

She has had 23 professional Muay Thai fights and is now training Jui Jitsu for her much anticipated first MMA fight in 2019. Chelsea is destined for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), an American mixed martial arts sporting organisation based out of Las Vegas, worth billions in sponsorship and prize money.

ELIZABETH FORSYTH

MIAMI

OPEN BEACH SPRINT / BEACH FLAGS CHAMPION / STAWELL GIFT WINNER

EJ is the quintessential Gold Coaster, not only in her sporting choice of Surf Lifesaving but in her ability to work hard and achieve goals. This year EJ changed history by becoming the first woman to win both the Open Beach Sprint and Beach Flags Championship at the Australian Life Saving Titles.

Off the back of this she also won the Stawell Gift and the World Championship for Beach Flags at both the inter club and inter county whilst representing Australia. She is extremely goal-orientated, while training full time she also completed a Bachelor of Exercise, graduating in November (while working three part time jobs) to supplement living, university fees and her sporting pursuits.

COURTNEY HANCOCK

SURFERS PARADISE

IRONWOMAN

Courtney Hancock is the 1st person to win the triple crown in the one year (Coolangatta Gold, Nutri Grain and Aussie Title) coupled with 3 x Nutri Grain titles, 3 x Coolangatta Titles and 2 x Aussie Titles. She is arguably one of the greatest ever Ironwomen to touch the water. However it is the grace and humility which she consistently displays which make her a true champion and idol for younger generations growing up.

Aside from her sporting commitments, Courtney has provided her status and influence to help raise awareness for numerous charities on the Gold Coast. She is an ambassador for SLSA, MND & Me, GC Community Fund, Animal Welfare League QLD (Gold Coast), Gold Coast Sport and Recreation and the Albatross Nipper’s Disability Program.

CATEGORY SEVEN: WELLNESS WARRIORS

PRESENTED BY MILON

ROWENA CALDERWOOD

ASHMORE

PROPRIETOR, RAW IRON GYM

Through her gym Raw Iron, Rowena has had the opportunity to reach countless women helping to get on track with a healthy lifestyle, but not just with food and exercise, but with a healthy relationship with how they look - teaching them to be comfortable in their own skin.

She has been empowering women through fitness for over eight years by loving the skin they are in and nurturing rather than through self-punishment. Each year Rowena runs a competition called the Butterfly Effect which brings together hundreds of local women to raise money for the Butterfly Foundation. This event raises awareness and money to help fight against negative body image and eating disorders.

Rowena also runs an online global comp called The Cub Games, which is for kids aged 7-14 years. This initiative is about getting kids moving, having fun and educating them on eating well and exercising.

DR CRISTINA BEER

BENOWA

INTEGRATIVE GP, THE MEDICAL SANCTUARY

Holistic GP, blogger, author and personal trainer Dr Cristina Beer has a strong focus on nutrition as well as running online programs targeted at treating hormonal issues, especially in women

Through her practice and workshops with women on the Gold Coast, she uses the very best holistic wellness techniques to help them get back to their physical best. Dr Cris educates women on how to reclaim their health and works with them to create life-changing outcomes.

Fed up with the amount of fad diets which flood the market, she has written two popular books called Healthy Liver and Healthy Habits, 52 Ways to Better Health, which teaches readers one week at a time how to live a healthy life through the latest medical research on diet to hormones and supplements are best.

Dr Cris is the also program developer for the Golden Door’s The Biggest Loser wellness retreat.

STACEY PANOZZO

TALLEBUDGERA

FOUNDER, THE BOTANICAL BAZAAR

Founder of The Botanical Bazaar, the Gold Coast’s largest gardening expo which inspires and encourages people to explore options in growing their own foods. The event has been a huge success and attracts many exhibitors and thousands of visitors. It has encouraged families to become more self-sufficient and in turn, healthier as they are eating fresh foods.

Stacey has appeared in many media reports as well as being asked to be a guest speaker at many events on the topic of self-sufficiency.

She is also the President of Gold Coast Green Living and on the Board of the Gold Coast Organic Growers. With the former group, she has just finished building the first stage of Sensory Gardens for all abilities in Nerang.

CATEGORY EIGHT: STYLE ICONS

PRESENTED BY OSCAR OSCAR SALONS

AMANDA RAMSAY

CURRUMBIN WATERS

QLD MAKE-UP ARTIST OF THE YEAR / AUTHOR SECRETS FROM A BEAUTY INSIDER

Amanda is an experienced professional makeup artist - and the 2018 Queensland Makeup Artist of the Year. With over 15 years working the fashion, red carpet, celebrity & commercial circuit, Amanda is on a mission to help women over 40 feel fabulous about themselves using her genuine insider beauty know-how and a big pile of beauty tips with her masterclasses and her book Secrets from a Beauty Insider.

She dedicates herself to lifting other women up to shine. To remain visible. To not fade into the background - to be seen - and heard. Amanda is a pro-ageing advocate and a true age positive crusader. She’s a free spirit, with a beautiful, effortless, bohemian energy and style. Her makeup masterclasses give women newfound confidence - bringing back their sparkle - and empowering them to rock on regardless of their age and to truly love what they see in the mirror. She has such an incredible rapport with women. She helps them see their beauty. For Amanda it’s all about empowering others.

LINDA GOWDIE & LEANNE NORRIS

MERMAID BEACH

CO-FOUNDERS, THIS WITH THIS

Linda and Leanne are Gold Coast locals who are fashion influencers, starting their Instagram handle @thiswiththis just two years ago. They’ve grown their following to over 48,500 who are inspired by their chic and stylish looks - which are a mix of affordable and high fashion pieces. The pair are hardworking and dedicated to making the best content they can for their Instagram page. They’ve taught themselves how to: use Instagram, create a website and write blog posts. Building an organic following from scratch is a huge feat which requires consistency and persistence. They’ve also remained genuine in their approach to their page and only post outfits they love to wear and believe their followers would love to wear too.

Every Monday, the pair meet and dedicate the day to taking photos of their outfits for the next seven days. They post at 6am every morning and community manage throughout the day, making sure their followers get answers to any questions or simply replying to a nice comment that is left by one of their followers. They genuinely want to make a difference and help their followers to look and feel great.

LEINA BROUGHTON & FLEUR RICHARDSON

BURLEIGH HEADS

CO-OWNERS, LEINA BROUGHTON FASHION

Founded in Burleigh in 2010, LB garments are beautifully designed, ethically made in Australia, with Australian materials and products. Both ladies have trained in fashion design, with Leina having worked as a designer for Trenery while Fleur has a strong background in production. The pair started LBFR Creative and immediately built a software platform to run their entire business.

The pair are passionate about supporting positive body image for ladies from size 8 to size 22 (with 24 to come) by using their customers as models. The pair have created an online community of women across the country who all wear and love their designs - which suit all body shapes and sizes. The members build each other up, empowering each other to feel confident and happy, because the clothes are beautifully designed, comfortable and functional,

for every occasion.

This community was brought about by the co-owners passion for diversity, conversation, two way communication between designer and customer, and a desire to provide women with quality garments to fit their everyday needs. New prints/designs are released every Tuesday and often sell-out in minutes - a testament to the quality and popularity of the brand.