Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of Year winners 2021

A common thread runs through the journeys of the finalists and winners of this year’s Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year. SEE THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS >>>

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A common thread runs through the journeys of the finalists and winners of this year’s Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year.

All have overcome significant challenges, both personal and professional, on their journey towards being successful, positive, uplifting and strong members of the community.

None more so than overall 2021 winner, Support the Girls founder Jane Holmes, crowned the champion at a glittering dinner event at The Star Gold Coast on Friday night.

The mother who emigrated from South Africa via the Gold Coast has been robbed at gunpoint, suffered a horrific rape at the hands of her boss in South Africa when in her late teens, had her husband take his own life in Australia and has had more health problems than anyone should have to deal with.

Cancers, foot problems, lupus, cornea surgery. You name it, she’s had it.

Women of the Year winner Jane Holmes. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“For me it is more important someone can see my story and go ‘I can do this for myself’. They can say ‘If she can fulfil her dream, I can fulfil my dream’.”

Despite the litany of dramas to beset her life, Ms Holmes runs popular charity Support the Girls which aims to lift up the plight of marginalised, disenfranchised women, particularly in regional areas with correctly fitted bras and sanitary and beauty care packs.

She estimates she has given away more than 5000 and recently received a $65,000 State Government grant for the Support the Girls vehicle.

Her story is not an outlier.

Champions of Sport winner Montana Atkinson is pursuing her Paralympics swimming dream despite a traumatic brain injury caused by an epileptic episode which stopped oxygen to her brain. Joint Champions of Education winner Jodie Forster says she can identify with the isolated, marginalised kids whose lives she is helping – in a pilot program at Arcadia College - due to her own “difficult upbringing”.

Entrepreneurs finalist – and Cross Promotions plus Nineteen at the Star partner Jackie Cross recounts as a young woman she would struggle to be taken seriously.

It’s been a common refrain throughout the editorial series: “It is not uncommon to be referred to as a wife or working mum or even being called a ‘good girl’ during a meeting.”

Star Gold Coast chief operating officer Jessica Mellor. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Indeed, Star Gold Coast chief operating officer Jessica Mellor revealed at the launch of the 2021 awards she was once referred to in a high-powered corporate setting – before she was employed at Star - as the “token” woman.

For entrepreneurs winner Tamika Smith, such attitudes led to her being underestimated in her chosen sector, the dog-eat-dog and male dominated construction industry.

“I remember having a boss once and he said ‘Tamika, I love having you on my team because you look like a Barbie but you’re as aggressive as a tiger and no one sees it coming.”

Ms Holmes wins a $5000 Harvey Norman prize pack whilst all category winners received a $1000 Harvey Norman prize pack.

Entertainers winner Emma Milikin also won a night’s accommodation at The Star Gold Coast, breakfast and a $300 dining voucher.

WINNERS

OVERALL: Jane Holmes (Support the Girls charity)

ANGELS AMONGST US: Jane Holmes

CHAMPIONS OF SPORT: Montana Atkinson (Paralympic dreams)

CHAMPIONS OF EDUCATION: Jennine Tax and Jodie Forster (Study Gold Coast and Aradia College)

ENTERTAINERS: Emma Milikins (Miami Marketta)

ENTREPRENEURS: Tamika Smith (Top 100 Women, behind house and land project for slain Kelly Wilkinson’s three kids)

WELLNESS WARRIORS: Caroline Bellenger (life coach, personal trainer, gym owner)

YOUNG WOMEN: Madison Birtchnell (global youth advocate)

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Olivia Rose-Stanbank (age six, art canvas sales for charity Making Rainbows which goes to Rosies)