City of Gold Coast through the Gold Coast Australian of the Year awards recognises those people that are changing our community for the better.
Those whose challenges and triumphs are manifested in their life achievements.
Those who go above and beyond in their career.
Or those who are simply champions in one way or another and have an impact on those around them.
The finalists for the 2023 Gold Coast Australian of the Year Awards in all four categories were announced on Tuesday 6 June and we’re pleased to be able to celebrate their achievements.
Gold Coast Australian of the Year
Honouring the achievements and contributions of eminent Gold Coasters who are role models for us all, contribute to making the Gold Coast great, and are positive ambassadors for the region.
Marco Renai – Winner
As founder and CEO of The Men of Business Academy, Marco Renai is the driving force behind building an alternate school that focuses on empowering young men with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to be happy, healthy, and successful in life. Over the past 10 years, Marco has changed the lives of countless young men. Men of Business started with just six boys in its first program and in 2023 alone, over 200 young men completed the program and will go on to pursue full-time and part-time job opportunities, apprenticeships, traineeship or further education. He works tirelessly with the business & wider community to provide mentorship and work opportunities and he has been solely responsible for raising the funds to bring his vision to fruition.
Preston Campbell – Finalist
Preston is a true legend in every sense of the word and has always been an inspiration to those who meet him. Most identifiable as a renowned rugby league player he has become a unifying voice for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. and has helped countless young people to overcome adversity and to find success in their lives. He was the driving force behind the NRL All Stars concept in 2010 and in 2015, he established The Preston Campbell Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports Indigenous youth through education and sport. His contribution to our community is a testament to his commitment to making a positive impact on the world around him.
Denise Bradley – Finalist
Denise has been CEO of the Animal Welfare League Qld (AWLQ) for over 20 years and has been committed and dedicated to continually advancing and bringing positive change to the animal welfare industry. She is admired and respected worldwide for the progressive changes that she has implemented not only for the organisation but the wider community. Denise pioneered the first-ever Community Veterinary Clinic in Queensland not owned by a vet, with a mission to ensure that no sick, injured, or dying animal is turned away due to the owner’s inability to pay. She was also instrumental in developing the Emergency Boarding Program, which offers free boarding/foster care and provides ongoing support to Gold Coast Homeless Connect by supplying pet food and medication (at no cost) for those community members in crisis with pets. Through her innovation and progressive leadership, the Animal Welfare League Queensland is now admired not only throughout Australia but in the international arena for her inspiring leadership in the field of animal welfare.
Gold Coast Senior Australian of the Year
Celebrating those Australians aged 65 and over who continue to achieve, inspire or make a difference within the wider community.
Robyn and Lindsay Burch – Winner
As the co-founders of Havafeed, Lindsay and Robyn Burch have been serving up meals – and hope – to the city’s most disadvantaged for the past 30 years. It is estimated that they have helped over 500,000 lives and raised almost $2 million since opening their doors. They continue to provide over 300 meals a week to those in need.
Rosemaree Bradford – Finalist
Approached by the City of Gold Coast 28 years ago, Rosemaree was asked to establish a netball competition in the Mudgeeraba area. From humble beginnings and countless volunteer hours, the Hinterland District Netball Association was formed and took on a life of its own under her guidance. HDNA is now recognised as one of the strongest and most successful netball associations in Queensland and proudly supports over 2,000 members. Recently recognised as one of the Gold Coast’s most influential women in sport by the Gold Coast Bulletin, Rosemaree is an unsung hero whose vision, passion, and continued hard work have impacted so many and will leave a lifelong legacy for the Gold Coast.
Barry Leech – Finalist
During his years of service, Barry has traveled throughout Australia and the world helping amputees see their potential and giving them their life back. During that time, he has fitted prosthetic limbs for over 10,000 people and is recognised as a mentor within the Prosthetics and Orthotics industry. He has touched the lives of so many people from all walks of life including ex-servicemen (from the First World War right up to current day veterans), young children who he makes feel equal to their peers and excel at all things in life, Paralympians who have gone beyond their capabilities with pride and enthusiasm, working mothers and fathers trying to live a normal life and provide for their families, trauma clients who want to be treated as survivors and not victims.
Gold Coast Young Australian of the Year
Recognising inspirational 16 to 30-year-olds who have accomplished great things in a particular field of endeavour.
Emma McKeon – Winner
With 11 Olympic Medals and 20 Commonwealth Games Medals to her name, Emma is not only the greatest swimmer of all time, but the most decorated Australian Olympian, and one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen. Originally from Wollongong, she has called the Gold Coast home since 2017 and attributes the great facilities and support that she has received here to the success that she has achieved. Whilst setting all these milestone records and continuing with her arduous training schedule, she has managed to also complete a bachelor’s degree in public health and health promotion from Griffith University.
Katura Halleday – Finalist
At just 18 years of age, Katura is being recognised for her commitment to addressing educational equality on a local and international level by harnessing ‘the power of the people’ to take action that effects real change to the future for children in developing countries and here in Australia. She continues to unite the Gold Coast community through her business 8×8 to Educate and has represented Australia internationally to champion her causes.
Tom Pirie – Finalist
Affectionately known as ’10 Cent Tom’, his passion for recycling saw the creation of the nationally recognised 10 Cent Tom Limited, dropping-off and picking-up recycling wheelie bins for businesses and events throughout the Gold Coast who are looking to reduce waste and assist him in achieving his vision to help the environment and open a recycling depot that employs people with disabilities. Tom is a committed eco-warrior, an enthusiastic young entrepreneur, and a passionate champion for the disabled. Despite his severe scoliosis and intellectual impairment, Tom never wavers from his goal to bring people together – to help create a better, kinder, and greener tomorrow.
Gold Coast Local Hero
Acknowledging people who make a difference and challenge us to think about our contribution to creating a better local community.
Ross Lee – Winner
As founder and president of My Community Legal, Ross and his team of 90 volunteers have provided free legal advice to over 10,000 vulnerable Gold Coasters since 2004. The countless hours, dedication, generosity and thoughtfulness he has for clients ensures they can all lead better lives as a result of his collaboration with members, volunteers and partners.
Samantha Hughes – Finalist
The true definition of a quiet achiever, Sam pioneered the City of Gold Coast’s Active & Healthy Program which has now been in operation for 15 years. It was born with the aim to create a city where an active lifestyle is normal and regardless of age or ability, residents and visitors alike can easily participate in regular physical activity free of charge or at low cost. The program is now leading the way for councils across Australia. Starting with only 14 activities over three months, the program now boasts over 300 activities per week and demonstrates a commitment to enhancing our city’s health and wellbeing which positively contributes to the Gold Coast’s quality lifestyle attraction and liveability.
Ian Grace – Finalist
As part of the Federal Government’s New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, Ian has helped set up well over 200 small businesses on the Gold Coast. But many would say his biggest impact and achievement is through his dedication as Founder and President of the multi-community service award-winning Youth Music Venture – a voluntary organisation engaging and enriching the lives of local youth since 2009 by teaching young musicians how to play in a band for free. Ian has also just launched the Veterans Music Venture – a similar program that provides positive connections and outcomes for our returned veterans.
The Gold Coast Australian of the Year Awards is proudly supported by myGC.
