Gold Coast Women of the Year award an inspiration for Courtney Hancock
She has won multiple national titles, Coolangatta Golds and countless other awards, but one of Australia’s greatest ever ironwomen has left the Gold Coast Women of the Year awards inspired to do even more.
Women of the Year
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COURTNEY Hancock is one of Austraila’s greatest ever ironwoman.
She has won multiple national titles, Coolangatta Golds and countless other awards.
Despite that, the 28-year-old left the inaugural Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Years Awards inspired and wanting to “do more”.
“There’s so many women I look up to in this room,” said Hancock, winner of the Sporting Superstars at yesterday’s gala luncheon at The Star, Broadbeach.
“I just want to go out and do more. That’s why today is so important for us to be able to appreciate what everyone does.”
Ms Hancock was one of 28 high-achievers honoured at The Garden Kitchen and Bar yesterday. Leaders in the arts, charity, community, business, lifestyle and fashion were also recognised.
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Louise Bezzina, the CEO and artistic director of the Bleach* festival, collected the top gong in front of a sellout crowd.
The closely contested People’s Choice Award went to Katrina Springer, The Organised House Wife, who spruiked the need for community and also the importance of speaking out when things were not right at home.
More than 4000 members of the public voted for the award.
A discussion panel also highlighted the need for more to be done on the Coast for women.
Panellists urged women to embrace education, particularly mathematics, to continue to compete with men in the workforce.
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Professor Carolyn Evans, the Vice Chancellor of Griffith University, said it was important for girls to stick with mathematics for longer in order to reach leadership roles.
“It is absolutely critical that we don’t have a generation who are afraid of numbers,” she said.
“If we could change just one thing for the next generation it would be to keep girls in maths for as long as possible.
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“We have women who think they can’t read (business documents) — you can.”
Kellie Robertson, the head of Westpac in Queensland, said to keep progressing women needed to educate themselves on money.
“We need to start with the basics, pennies shouldn’t be dropping in your 30s and 40s,” she said.
“Know where the money is in your family, superannuation, ownership, debt, and if you’re not interested, get someone who does know it on your team.”
Awards ceremony guests were optimistic when it came to celebrating International Women’s Day yesterday on the Coast.
“It’s about empowering women to use their own voice,” Kimberly Welman said.
“Use your superpowers.
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“There’s still room to improve the gender balance in society.”
Respected Gold Coast GP Dr Sonu Haikerwal, supported by her team from the Gold Coast Hospital foundation board, said it was necessary to celebrate women.
“It’s so important to recognise what we do for the community,” she said.
Awards finalist and 2018 Women’s Stawell Gift winner Elizabeth Forsyth said everyday should be a celebration of women’s talent, but today was extra special.
“We should always celebrate women, but especially today,” she said.
“We’re here to recognise the awesome achievements of women during the last 12 months.”
Fellow Sporting Superstars finalist Chelsea Hackett said it was nice to get together and recognise everybody’s achievements.
“It’s a great day to celebrate and it’s a wonderful opportunity to bring all of these successful, incredible women together,” the Muay Thai champion said.
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