Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards by Harvey Norman sponsors: ‘In their own words’

Those behind the annual Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards share their stories of inspiration in business, sports, arts, community, education and more. In their own words

The Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards by Harvey Norman would not happen without backing from great sponsors who support elevating the stories of these incredible women who make up the finalists. In the ongoing Women of the Year series, each of our sponsors reveal why they think it’s important to get behind - and why in some cases equality between the sexes still has some way to go.

KATIE PAGE: HARVEY NORMAN

I’ve been reading about all these fabulous women that we’ve got this year, and the diversity of what they do, what they’re contributing, and that’s what it’s about. It’s about women telling their stories, because there’s so many out there, and you’re giving them a platform, and that helps so many other women you know. Think about the number of women that we’ve had now that have been represented with these awards. I just love reading their stories.

Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page: “It’s about women telling their stories, because there’s so many out there, and you’re giving them a platform.” Picture: Luke Marsden.

MEL ROBINSON: THE STAR GOLD COAST (People’s Choice)

So often the stories of inspiring and empowering women aren’t told or heard, which is why this initiative is so important and why The Star Gold Coast supported the Women of the Year Awards since the beginning. Every year, I wonder if we’re going to see that high calibre of entrants again and am always blown away by the awe-inspiring women unearthed during this programme. By age 25 I was a barrister pursuing a passion for law. Achieving such credentials in my youth I was underestimated. When I told people what I did for a living they thought I meant “barista”. I had to explain that I wear a white wig, a gown and talk to a jury. Today, I’m the General Manager of Strategy at The Star Gold Coast. Ironically, my first role here three years ago was in fact managing a team of baristas as the Director of Food and Beverage. I still can’t make a decent coffee!

The Star Gold Coast’s Mel Robinson: “By age 25 I was a barrister pursuing a passion for law. Achieving such credentials in my youth I was underestimated. When I told people what I did for a living they thought I meant “barista”. Picture: Glenn Hampson

EXPERIENCE GOLD COAST: AVRIL HARRIS (Stars of Tourism)

We feel so privileged to be able to support this award and uncover the amazing talents within the visitor economy. Amazing female leaders who will inspire the next generation and contribute to building the Gold Coast’s reputation as the lifestyle capital of the world. At Experience Gold Coast, over 60 percent of our workforce is women. Our board is fifty percent female. Our executive team is predominantly led by amazing women. They inspire, they empower and they embrace the Gold Coast to ensure we build our reputation as the ultimate destination and events mecca of Australia. We have the infrastructure. We have beautiful natural assets. We have a team ready to attract new events to our city and deliver the most amazing festivals that Australia has seen. Bringing together the tourism and education industry, major events, arts and culture Experience Gold Coast is a force to be reckoned with.

Experience Gold Coast’s Avril Harris: “We feel so privileged to be able to support this award and uncover the amazing talents within the visitor economy.” Picture: Glenn Hampson

WE ARE PHOENIX: AMBER COUPE (Champions of the Arts)

One of the reasons we get behind this is I’m a female founder of a business - and I think Australia has a little way to go. I do agree it should be the ‘Person of the Year’ but I feel there is still a gender gap going on, a big one. We still need to have these events to bridge that gap and slowly it will shrink. We like to support women in business. Sponsoring the ‘Champion of the Arts’ award, we couldn’t believe just how thriving the arts scene was. We want to champion it. There is so much untapped talent here on the Gold Coast. We’ve met the three finalists - Pru Wilson, from Gold Coast Eisteddfod, Sambaliscious director Mishel Finlayson and Gold Coast Music Awards/Blank and Gold Coast Music Network powerhouse Chloe Popa - and they are all very worthy.

We are Phoenix founder Amber Coupe: “One of the reasons we get behind this is I’m a female founder of a business - and I think Australia has a little way to go.” Picture: Luke Marsden

GOLD COAST TITANS: REBECCA FRIZELLE (Wellness Warriors)

When I first started at the Titans, to be frank, it was rare to see many women associated. Fast forward 10 years, in a governance role and now a shareholder, I am so incredibly proud to see that shift enormously from our female head coach, women in our executive leadership team, females on the board, and not because they’re women, but because they bring so much to the table, bring balanced perspective and a diverse way of thinking, which is what we all are trying to achieve, whether it’s in our family, our business, or as I said, in high-performance sport. We’ve seen the club branch out now into two netball sides. So if I look back over 10 years, what we’ve achieved around diversity, whether that’s women, sport, league ability, it’s the whole gambit that makes it a healthier organisation.

Gold Coast Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle: “If I look back over 10 years, what we’ve achieved around diversity, whether that’s women, sport, league ability, it’s the whole gambit that makes it a healthier organisation.” Picture: Glenn Hampson

VIRGINIA WARNER: ST HILDA’S SCHOOL (Angels Among Us)

At St Hilda’s, we believe in the transformative power of an all-girls education. Inspiring women for more than a century, we celebrate the interconnected threads that span generations of students, empowering them to grow into articulate, confident, and capable women who have the power to become effective changemakers in a rapidly evolving world. As the only all-girls’ school on the Gold Coast, St Hilda’s provides an aspirational environment where girls see no limits to what they can achieve. The heartbeat of St Hilda’s School is our Non Nobis Solum, Not for ourselves alone, culture – it guides the traditions of leadership, learning and community service, that encourages our girls to lead positive change in their world, in their own unique way. The Angels Among Us Award celebrates selfless angels in our Gold Coast community who epitomise Non Nobis Solum and go about their achievements with great determination, grit and persistence.

St Hilda’s principal Virginia Warner: “At St Hilda’s, we believe in the transformative power of an all-girls education.” Picture: Glenn Hampson

COASTAL PROPERTY: KYM ATHERTON (Entrepreneurs)

When we acknowledge the gifts and talents of people individually and not based on stereotypes or genders great things can be achieved. I think the world benefits when we all have mentors and are surrounded by people that care for our future success and assist us see the potential in ourselves. As women can be self critical, it’s important to have positive influences and guides. Women are phenomenal. They bring empathy, detail, listening, social cues, compassion and we help people through our nature and nurture in real estate. An individual’s level of commitment and professionalism to roles impacts their property sector experience. You have to be driven and self-starting to remain at the top of the game. Real estate is an amazing career for women, you can be self made, embracing your style and strengths. Along with a healthy dose of hard work and determination the sky’s the limit.

Coastal Property’s Kym Atherton: “When we acknowledge the gifts and talents of people individually and not based on stereotypes or genders great things can be achieved.” Picture: Glenn Hampson

TANYA DEMARIA: LEWIS LAND

Moving into a marketing role within the property industry has been an exciting journey for me, working for Australia’s only female-led property group. Every day I’m inspired by the women at the helm of Lewis Land who bring decades of experience and a pioneering spirit to their leadership roles. Working at Lewis Land has shown me the significant potential for women in property. I am excited to be a part of reshaping this industry to be more inclusive and innovative. As we continue to support each other in the workplace, we’re not just building properties – we’re constructing a future where women’s voices and talents are integral to shaping our communities. I’m proud to be part of this transformation and excited to see what we’ll achieve next.

Tanya Demaria: “Working at Lewis Land has shown me the significant potential for women in property. I am excited to be a part of reshaping this industry to be more inclusive and innovative.” Picture: Glenn Hampson

SOPHIA RIZZO: GLITTER GIRL (Young Women)

To go from Young Woman of the Year finalist and winner in 2022 to sponsoring that category in 2024, is a full-circle moment for me. It’s such an honour to be in a position to give back and support other young women who, like me, are chasing their dreams. I want to empower them to believe that they can achieve anything they set their mind to, just like I did. Winning in 2022 boosted my confidence and inspired me to think bigger. It gave me the validation that I was on the right path, and it motivated me to keep pushing my business forward. Glitter Girl now has an annual turnover of over $350,000. I started the brand when I was just 10 years old. When I started, it was just a passion project - something I loved doing - but now it’s a full-blown business that brings so much joy to people around the world.

Sophia Rizzo: “To go from Young Woman of the Year finalist and winner in 2022 to sponsoring that category in 2024, is a full-circle moment for me. It’s such an honour to be in a position to give back and support other young women who, like me, are chasing their dreams.” Picture Glenn Hampson

DONNA GATES: CITY OF GOLD COAST

My passion is this city. After moving to Queensland and taking a temporary role at Council, I became obsessed with local government. A tilt at public office followed in 2008 and I’ve been honoured to represent northern Gold Coast for 16 years, 12 of those years as the city’s Deputy Mayor. I was always ambitious and worked hard in my first job to become a senior executive as Publicity and Promotions Manager for a Melbourne radio station. My parents drove a relentless work ethic – annoying at the time, but a strong value for my future. Like many women, my career was interrupted by motherhood. After a late-term heart attack, I was blessed to survive and deliver a healthy baby. Breast surgery followed within three months and the challenges of being a woman were somewhat amplified. My message is aim high, be confident and determined and step through the sliding doors as opportunities arise. Passion, persistence and a strong work ethic can be the gateway to success.

Gold Coast deputy mayor Donna Gates: “My message is aim high, be confident and determined and step through the sliding doors as opportunities arise. Passion, persistence and a strong work ethic can be the gateway to success.” Picture: Glenn Hampson

LESLEY JONES: AFFINITY EDUCATION (Champions of Education)

My own family fuelled my fascination with young children. I gave birth to four babies in just five years. Our home was like a kindergarten for the street. That chapter was so satisfying, once my own children moved on to toddlerhood I wanted more. My passion for early education is underpinned by a deep ‘knowing’ the first five years shape a life’s trajectory. The influence and impact our educators and teachers can make for a child is a humbling responsibility and one that still gets me fired up 36 years into my career. My desire to make a difference in the lives of little ones, led me to many roles. I first started at Affinity Education as the Head of Education. Today, I’m the Chief Compliance and Quality. I was the first in my family to attend University. While juggling my young family, it took discipline and laser focus to achieve Masters in Education and a PhD.

Affinity Education’s Dr Lesley Jones: “While juggling my young family, it took discipline and laser focus to achieve Masters in Education and a PhD.” Picture: Glenn Hampson

ANN-MAREE O’NEILL: VILLAGE ROADSHOW THEME PARKS (Champion of Women)

After taking a year off to travel through Europe I returned to the Gold Coast and started working at SeaWorld as their HR Manager. It was such an exciting time to be part of the Theme Parks and I fell in love with the Industry. Being a young female manager in a male dominated environment made me very resilient. I felt I couldn’t show any emotional weakness. Adding to the pressure, during my time at Village Road Theme Park I was diagnosed with cancer which I had to overcome and get on with the job. At the time our management team was male led, and a fantastic group to work with. We embarked on a very strong learning and development program along with a focus on reward and recognition. With so many incredible and inspiring team members across our properties we see first-hand how supportive and inclusive work environments foster strong cultures and empower women.

Village Roadshow Theme Parks’ Ann-Maree O'Neill: “With so many incredible and inspiring team members across our properties we see first-hand how supportive and inclusive work environments foster strong cultures and empower women.” Picture: Glenn Hampson

AMANDA ABATE: CHANNEL 7

I just love being involved in these awards, and learning the full back story to the superstar finalists - who all deserve to win, it really was impossible to compare and judge, everyone is so deserving in different ways. Every year I’m blown away by the extraordinary things you’re all doing without fuss or fanfare, and that’s what makes these awards so important. These stories should be told, these achievements should be shared and that’s one way 7 Gold Coast News can help. We often get a bad rap in the media for always reporting the doom and gloom, the worst of the worst… This is a wonderful way we can talk about the best of the best. It has been a pleasure shining a light on all the positives in our city, the ingenious ideas, sky high dreams, determination, compassion and incredible success stories, from the women of the Gold Coast.

Seven News Gold Coast news anchor Amanda Abate: “We often get a bad rap in the media for always reporting the doom and gloom, the worst of the worst… This is a wonderful way we can talk about the best of the best.” Picture: Glenn Hampson