Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards by Harvey Norman winners for 2023
The Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards by Harvey Norman have been and gone for another year. See the list of winners from the night.
Women of the Year
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women of the Year. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year awards by Harvey Norman have been and gone for another year.
The annual ceremony recognises women who go above and beyond to make our community and the Gold Coast a better place.
This year’s celebration attracted hundreds of impressive contenders, of which 26 finalists were named.
A total of 11 gongs were handed out to nine inspiring women during a glittering awards ceremony at The Star Gold Coast.
Meet the winners:
Overall Gold Coast Bulletin Woman of the Year: Adrienne Readings
The general manager of the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia’s largest regional one, is considered a pioneer of business tourism.
The facility drives some of the highest-spending visitors this city has and Adrienne’s pivotal role facilitates delivery of billions in economic injection to the Gold Coast.
She has 30 years experience in the game, described as an “active champion of the Gold Coast” with numerous positions on committees, councils, boards, and known for working after hours and being in the trenches with her 250 staff during events.
The night’s overall winner, named Gold Coast Bulletin Woman of the Year by Harvey Norman, and taking home the stars of tourism gong, said she was “speechless” upon receiving the accolade.
“I know some of you won’t believe it, but I am speechless,” Ms Readings said.
“Thank you so much for this honour, I’m absolutely thrilled. I’m only sorry my daughter couldn’t be here tonight. She inspires me everyday.
“I think of my era and my career, and I look back at all the young achievers and young female leaders, and they inspire me everyday.
“They do it so much better than we did. I can say that we were trailblazers, but they show us the way and she does that for me.
“And I have a six year old granddaughter as well and I’m sure that when I go home tonight, because I’m babysitting for five weeks, she will be very proud as well.
“I’m just absolutely thrilled that I can be amongst some of the most wonderful female leaders.
“I’m just overwhelmed and I can only thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“I really do thank all the women in the room and outside of it who have worked tirelessly and inspire me everyday. Thank you so much.”
People’s Choice Winner: Kate Hucker
Kate is the foundation principal of Coomera State Special School where the motto is to give every child an opportunity to reach their potential through the belief that “together we can achieve”.
This lifelong devotee to children with intellectual and physical disabilities opened the school during Covid and is known for her “strong and empathetic feminine leadership” which radiates “positivity, kindness and strength”.
“I read a quote recently that said ‘fight for what you believe in and then bring along people who believe what you believe in and will follow you’,” the champions of education and people’s choice winner said.
“That is what I have done, in opening up a new school, I deliberately chose people that would fight for what we believe in.
“Our goal is to have every student graduate from Coomera State Special School with a notion that they can achieve and will work in open employment.
“I set that task to you all to open your eyes and have a look at how these amazing students can benefit our local community. They deserve that open-mindedness.
“I find this a bit overwhelming, because yes I am the principal of the school, but I absolutely couldn’t do what I do without the amazing people that I work with, my amazing family, my dear husband.
“To every single man or woman that has championed me, I find it ironic that I won the champions of education category - because at our school we call our kids champions, our teachers champions, so now I can say I am a champion of education.”
Angels Among Us (sponsored by St Hilda’s School)
WINNER: Linda Osman
The Journey 2 Learn autism charity founder started it after the birth of her fourth child who was diagnosed with autism level 3 aged just over two.
When he turned six, Linda’s only option was to send him to a special school or home school him – but that didn’t match her aspirations.
She believed he should attend a mainstream school – and her support structure Journey 2 Learn was formed.
She runs it full time for no financial reward, working at night as a corporate travel agent.
Linda hopes the model will help other families in the same situation.
“I wouldn’t be here tonight without the support of my family, especially my husband, my children, my two daughters who are here by my side tonight,” the Angels Among Us winner said.
“As an organisation, we wouldn’t be here today without the generosity and compassion of the community.
“Our family was gifted funds by Gold Coast philanthropists to enable us to build the space on our property and home.
“This award is a testament to our collective efforts as an organisation. This award is not just mine, it’s a symbol of community strength and unity.
“Thank you all for the incredible recognition and here’s to the Gold coast community who continues to inspire me and all of us here tonight, thank you.”
Champions of Sport (sponsored by Harvey Norman)
WINNER: Karyn Murphy
This director of female rugby league at the Gold Coast Titans and its NRLW coach is a trailblazer – she’s the sole female coach in the groundbreaking NRL Women’s competition. Not only did Karyn lead the team to the finals last season and formed them into a leading side this season, she oversees the club’s female programs, covering participation, pathways and talent development.
One of the most iconic women to play the game, now she’s inspiring the next generation.
Gold Coast Titans CEO Steve Mitchell accepted the Champion of Sport award on behalf of Murphy who was in Canberra with the team for their round nine match against the Raiders, bidding to make the finals.
He used his speech to advocate for Murphy to become rugby league’s first female immortal.
“Thank you so much, Karyn would be thrilled,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Karyn Murphy is one of the most extraordinary people you will have the pleasure of meeting in your life.
“She was one of the most decorated female detectives in the police force over an esteemed career that went nearly two decades. Then she moved to the game where she actually put all the frameworks together for the NRL Integrity Unit which has had an enormous effect on the health and quality of the game.”
She played for Australia for 15 years - 14 as captain - before it became professional - and “now has one of the biggest junior female competitions in the country named after her”.
The NRL Women best Gand Final player wins the Karyn Murphy Medal.
Mr Mitchell said she had created a legacy for female sport on the Gold Coast that won’t be surpassed: “Our Titans school club has gone from 100 girls to 700 girls in three and a half years and some of the talent coming out of the Gold Coast that’s been led by Karyn Murphy is unbelievable.
“This lady’s hard work, inspiration and belief in the sport and care for the people who come through - she is outstanding.
“They used to fundraise for their trips, play overseas, pay their own way, be secretary, administrator, work, play, get beaten up and go to work. She represented the country for 15 years as a passion.
“We have 13 immortals in the game and they are extraordinary people - they’re all men. It’s time we had a female immortal,” he said to rousing applause.
Champions of Education (sponsored by Study Gold Coast)
WINNER: Kate Hucker
Wellness Warriors (sponsored by Chempro Chemists)
WINNER: Patsy Tierney
The former two-time world sport aerobics champion is the brains behind Fit Mumma and the Fit Mumma Classic, Australia’s first fitness competition just for mothers.
Inspired by her own experience as a single mother, Patsy wanted to create a community to support and spur each other on.
Now Fit Mumma draws on 30 years in the fitness industry to help “mums find their spark again”.
Her recent first Fit Mumma Classic raised money for local charity Baby Give Back with over 100 mums taking part.
The Wellness Warrior winner revealed she had not prepared a speech because she didn’t actually think she would win.
“I told all my friends, ‘please come, but I’m not going to win’,” Ms Tierney said.
“Thank you to the Gold Coast Bulletin, thank you to Harvey Norman and thank you to Chempro for sponsoring our beautiful category.
“In wellness, especially on the Gold Coast, we feel like we get a bad wrap because it’s full of influencers and everyone is on a health trip. But there’s so many amazing people out there doing such absolutely fantastic work in the health and wellness space.
“Thank you to my fit mummas who are at the back and thank you for allowing me to bring out the importance of wellness and health in our mothers, who we all know are such a vital part of the family.”
Entrepreneurs (sponsored by Southern Cross University)
WINNER: Sonia Stradiotto
The highly-respected and sought-after CEO, creative director and founder of in-demand label Sonia Stradiotto Couture seems to dress half the Gold Coast.
Not only is she a successful business owner, she is a good corporate citizen, heavily supporting the Carers Foundation of Queensland.
A friend of 30 years describes her as someone who has lived a “colourful life of bold decisions, bold designs and bold dreams”.
During her acceptance speech, Ms Stradiotto described an entrepreneur as someone with passion and a love for what they do.
“It’s about resilience to act fast and connect all the dots of adaptability and lead and be resourceful when misfortune arises,” she said.
“It takes determination and persistence for an entrepreneur to fight off self-doubting, limitations and obstacles. And this woman, alone with two children, was told that she couldn’t do it.
“And so began the birth and purpose of our Stradiotto fashion family legacy.
“I am privileged to receive this accolade and I will continue to empower, encourage and inspire everybody and leave no one behind, because I love this city, I love my family, my children, my husband and my friends.
“Thank you so much judges, thank you for choosing me.”
Professionals (sponsored by Balboa Italian and The Valley Estate)
WINNER: Lynne Benzie
The Village Roadshow Studios president has worked with Village for 33 years and is a key figure in attracting major productions to the Gold Coast, that generate untold jobs and impressive exposure.
We all know of Thor, Aquaman and Baz Lurmann’s epic Elvis biopic.
Lynne is critical in getting them to come here.
You can’t put a price on the publicity that generates (Tom Hanks describing it as one of the best places in the world to act).
Professionals category winner Lynne told the crowd it was “like being at the Oscars”.
“There are a lot of people here who have been on my journey for 33 years in the film industry. It’s been very difficult at times and some of those friends are here who supported me along the way.
“The film industry is very unique – a lot of people don’t realise what it generates – from hospitality, to the crew we employ, the businesses.
“I do need to recognise every woman in the room. We are amazing. There is no word in the dictionary to describe what we really do.”
Environmental Warriors (sponsored by We. Are. Phoenix)
WINNER: Amy Gash
The impressive brand and strategy general manager for Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort was awarded the Young Achiever Award for 2022 for outstanding contribution to the Queensland tourism industry.
Amy is not just a sustainability advocate, she’s a tourism promoter too – fostering eco-tourism. Her “passion for sustainability and eco-tourism is a true inspiration” is how she is described.
The environmental warrior winner thanked her fellow finalists in the category, Sarah Eccleston and Claire McCulloch.
“This is really incredible. The environmental warrior title is something I don’t take lightly. Conservation and sustainability is the lifeblood of our organisation,” she said.
“Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of tonight. It’s a really great honour to be here and thank you so much to my family, to my friends that are here to support me.
“I firmly believe you protect what you love and I very much love the Great Barrier Reef and Lady Elliot Island.
“I absolutely love what I do and being able to share and inspire people every day to hopefully create some change in their own world.”
Young Women (sponsored by Lewis Land Group)
WINNER: Priya Virdee-Hero
What doesn’t she do.
The Youth Member for Southport as part of the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament is passionate about community change and standing up for the city’s youth.
Priya is the vice president for the Queensland branch of international youth-run not-for-profit AIESEC, which in English translates as the International Association of Students in Economics and Business.
On top of all that she’s a run director for a Main Beach Parkrun, a surf life saver, studies law, and is a member of Rotary, the Youth Advisory Council and Bravehearts youth wing.
In accepting her award, Priya told attendees: “Thank you so much. I would like to start by saying congratulations to all the finalists tonight - you’re all such incredible young women.
“It’s been such an incredible experience to be able to meet you all and to be inspired by all the work you are doing.
“I’m so excited. Thank you so much.”
Stars of Tourism (sponsored by Destination Gold Coast)
WINNER: Adrienne Readings
Champion of Women
WINNER: The late Matthew Schneider
Sam Schneider accepted the champion of women award on behalf of her late husband Matt and dedicated it to their nine-year-old daughter, Maggie.
She then invited the room to raise a toast in honour of the beloved husband and father.
“Matt would be really angry right now to not be here to celebrate the limelight and the sparkling wine on the table,” she said.
“Matt would be the first to acknowledge that he was a very lucky man. He loved his job, he wore many hats across many sectors and touched many lives.
“He loved the city that he worked in and championed it to the end. He loved, respected and valued the people who he worked for, a lot of women included.
“Matt would say, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, if you’ve got a cracking idea, this is the place to do it.
“I think what Matt was really good at was being an exceptional listener and he was probably an old soul. He was able to garner respect and support and I think instill in the women in this room so much confidence to create this beautiful place.
“I will dedicate it to his nine-year-old daughter Maggie, who fortunately or unfortunately shares many of her father’s attributes, both endearing and frustrating.
“She is fierce, she is kind, bloody stubborn but she will never have the opportunity to sit and feel the energy, love and positivity from her father.
“This is such a beautiful accolade and I’m so grateful she will have this for the days that come in her life, knowing she can be whatever she wants to be in a world that accepts her for who she is.”
Being Glitter Mum: It was doing so well I quit my job
The mother of entrepreneurial sensation Sophia Rizzo who started soaring company Glitter Girl before she was 10 has plenty of advice for parents of youngsters planning start ups.
Harvey Norman CEO: ‘No retiring or legacy talk. I think what’s next?’
Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page - fresh from expansion in the UK - opens up on her enduring belief in bricks and mortar retail while dismissing suggestion of retirement or care for legacy.