Sunshine Coast’s 100 most inspirational women: Countdown from 75-51
Sports stars and euthanasia advocates are among our list of uplifting Sunshine Coast females as we continue to countdown the top 100 inspirational women. SEE 75-51 HERE:
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From footy stars, musicians to business owners the Sunshine Coast is home to thousands of uplifting women who have empowering stories to tell.
As we continue our International Women’s Day series we count down the next 25 women in our list who have inspiring narratives of fighting against adversity.
SEE THE NEXT 25 BELOW:
75. Maggie Harmer and 74. Bella Smith
Former Noosa Tigers and Maroochydore Roos players Maggie Harmer and Bella Smith burst onto the footy scene after they were successfully drafted into the AFLW competition in 2021 by the Brisbane Lions.
Harmer who predominantly plays at half back and Smith who generally plays as a midfielder represented Queensland in the lead up to the draft at the 2021 NAB National U19 Championships.
73. Nicki Farrell and 72. Vicci Oliver
Wildlings Forest School co-founders Nicki Farrell and Vicci Oliver have provided an exciting opportunity to have a hands-on experience in the green areas of Sunshine Coast in the wake of the digital age.
The facility gives kids as an opportunity to prioritise play experiences within the natural wild spaces while allowing them to develop social skills with each other.
The business has attracted interest from parents across the southeast as it continues to grow.
71. Jenna Sanders
The Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Kenilworth is arguably best known for a bakery which serves up 1kg doughnuts and sausage roll challenges, with Jenna Sanders being the brains behind the operation. .
The Kenilworth Country baker will soon have a “grab and go” version open at The Wharf Mooloolaba as well.
70. Anna Smith
Sunshine Coast solicitor Anna Smith has more than 20 years’ experiences on both sides of criminal law in New South Wales and Queensland.
Ms Smith has been admitted for 22 years and had been practising defence law since 2009, with her time working in defence giving her a well rounded view of the extraordinary positions her clients are in.
Ms Smith took over Bosscher Lawyers in 2012 before renaming it Smith Criminal Law in 2016, which hires two staff.
69. Brigid Woolnough
Kokopod Chocolate owner Brigid Woolnough took a fresh approach to everyone’s favourite confectionary with experimental flavours after opening its doors in 2017.
Formerly a home-based business in Brisbane, Kokopod Chocolate made the move to Buderim in a bid to expand operations.
Over the years her business has claimed several gold and silver awards from Australian fine food shows and ships across the nation.
68. Alison Quinn
Suncentral board member Alison Quinn has been a key player in developing Maroochydore into a 21st century CBD brimming with business opportunities.
Ms Quinn has brought her extensive experience as an executive in multiple industries to the board in 2019 after working in the property sector for more than 25 years.
67. Chloe Kopilovic
Wills and estates lawyer Chloe Kopilovic has gone from strength to strength after making the move to the Sunshine Coast in 2011 from Western Australia.
In only 10 years she has risen through the ranks from trainee solicitor to a director at FC Lawyers on the Sunshine Coast and has become the youngest member of the Queensland Law Society Council for the 2016/17 term and was re-elected for her 2018/19 term.
66. Fiona Jacobs
Voluntary assisted dying advocate Fiona Jacobs has campaigned tirelessly in Queensland to legalise euthanasia which she says will help terminally ill people end their lives and suffering with dignity.
The Sunrise Beach nurse drew inspiration from her mum’s battle with a terminal illness after 12 excruciating days of suffering.
She has regularly pushed for this law to changed up until it was passed in 2021 in Queensland and also assisted in legislation formation in Western Australia and Tasmania.
65. Sandy Zubrinich
As chair of the Sunshine Coast Business Council since 2012, Sandy Zubrinich has influence over the development of the region.
She has experience in both the public and private sectors in executive roles in industries such as banking and telecommunications and manages her own strategic consulting business.
64. Rosanna Natoli
Well-known TV personality Rosanna Natoli has forged a successful career being a familiar face on Sunshine Coast and Queensland televisions for decades.
The mother of three is also a successful lecturer at University of the Sunshine Coast, where she has inspired young up-and-coming journalists since 1999.
63. Olivia Sainsbury
Former Caloundra Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Olivia Sainsbury built the largest and most engaged chamber in Queensland, representing 600 businesses at its peak.
She continues to play an active role in advocating for local business through her vast networks across the Sunshine Coast and government.
Olivia runs a successful management consulting business and in her business career she also worked with Deloitte Consulting in Australia and America.
62. Kim Morrison
After making the move to Australian from New Zealand following the death of her sister-in-law in 2006, Kim Morrison expanded her motivational speaking and entrepreneurial career.
Today she is a five times best selling winning author, creative director of Twenty8 Essentials which is an essential oils and chemical free beauty product company and is a health and lifestyle educator.
Ms Morrison even set the world record as the youngest female to run 100 miles in less than 24 hours in 1989.
61. Saya McDermott
After selling skincare at Eumundi Markets for several years Noosaville based mum Saya McDermott was presented with an opportunity she could not resist.
The graphic designer, turned pilot, now skincare guru had made products for herself, friends and family for several years before she realised it could be a successful business.
The Australian-made organic skincare business is turning over a seven-figure profit and stocked in some major retailers including online giant The Iconic.
60. Allycia Staples
Sunshine Coast young performer Allycia Staples has continually broke down barriers through her love of theatre and live performance as a member of the disability community.
Ms Staples has represented the Sunshine Coast nationally and internationally as a performing artist as well as being a nominee for the regional achiever at the Queensland Young Achiever Awards in 2021.
59. Min Swan
Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network president Min Swan has worked tirelessly in the financial services industry since the age of 21.
Ms Swan turned her firm into one of the largest in the south east before working in Sydney until she returned to the Sunshine Coast and started her boutique event management firm now known as White House International.
The firm has been responsible for many of the major fundraising and corporate events on the Sunshine Coast since 2009.
58. Amanda Yeates
As Deputy Director General at the Department of Transport and Main Roads since 2018, Amanda Yeates has played her part in developing infrastructure and maintaining the state’s roads for the government.
This includes the delivery of a record breaking $27.3b program of works over four years.
Prior to this Ms Yeates held several senior positions with TMR.
57. Dr Tanya Bell
Noosa’s homeless youth have been at the forefront of Dr Tanya Bell’s priorities as she leads the strategic planning and development of services through Youturn in Tewantin.
Dr Bell has almost 20 years in the health sector where she has worked for research and academic institutes, the state government and non government agencies including Primary Health Networks.
56. Katie Noonan
Eumundi’s Katie Noonan has been dazzling Australian audiences for years through her skills as a singer songwriter, encompassing opera, jazz, dance and more.
Ms Noonan regularly tours in Australia as a five-time ARIA award-winning artist and has produced 21 studio albums throughout her career.
The Noosa region songstress was also the creative force behind the Sunshine Sounds Festival in Eumundi.
55. Taylah Robertson
With five Australian titles, a Commonwealth Games bronze medal and a swag of medals in international tournaments, Taylah Roberton’s presence in the ring is unmatched.
After starting to fight at 11 Robertson became the youngest female boxer to represent Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The former Noosa and Cooroy boxer now trained under well respected coach Glenn Azar and said her ambition was to be the undisputed champion of the world in her weight division.
54. Deb Caruso
InNoosa magazine publisher and editor has been a passionate advocate for her region through sharing stories of its community and achievements.
With a career in media spanning a quarter of a century Ms Caruso has connected with local readers, brands and businesses to show what Noosa has to offer to the country.
53. Aly Bull
Sunshine Coast athlete and two-time Olympian Alyssa Bull originally started kayaking after her love of surf lifesaving wasn’t considered an Olympic sport.
Ms Bull represented her country at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics in the K1 and K2 events and competed in Ironwoman series from 2012—2014 where she was the Under 17 Australian champion in 2012.
She returned to surf lifesaving competitions in 2018 and won the Lifesaving World Championships and won four gold medals at the 2019 Australian Surf Life Saving Champions in 2019.
52. Leisa Toomey
Leisa Toomey of Toomey Family Law has been one of the go-to voices in the legal world for more than 20 years after being admitted in 1998.
Ms Toomey was a partner at one of the largest firms on the Sunshine Coast for 15 years and created Toomey Family Law in 2020 following a three-year break.
Ms Toomey is also part of the Sunshine Coast Law Association, Family Law Section of the Law Council Australia and the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network.
51. Ella Woodborne
Teenage ecowarrior Ella Woodborne was named the Sunshine Coast young citizen of the year at the Australia Day Awards in 2020.
The former Sunshine Coast Grammar School student founded the Grammar Green Team to inspire others to make a healthier planet.
She is also a youth ambassador for EarthTech, a start up business that focuses on encouraging and supporting young people to develop technologies that can be used to combat environmental issues such as climate change.
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Originally published as Sunshine Coast’s 100 most inspirational women: Countdown from 75-51
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