AND THE WINNERS ARE
We look at who and what has been making waves on the Coast with part one of our Yoo Hoo Awards
... Peter and Regina reveal the winners of their annual Yoo Hoo Awards, handed out to the Gold Coasters who have made the biggest waves on the social scene.
Welcome to the annual Yoo Hoo Awards. Glamorous? Not much! Prestigious? Hardly! Well deserved? As the adjudicating committee we think so. Not everyone wins a prize but if you do garner a mention you can be assured that for the very best reasons it is reward for effort. The envelopes please.
1 Whiter Than White Award
It sounds a bit odd being asked to bring your own table and chairs to an outdoor party but for lovers of the Diner de Blanc experience it was a small price to pay. Bussed to the secret location at Jack Gordon Park in Main Beach, the attendees happily trooped across the road dressed all in white to set up camp for a night of food and fun. A sublime setting and the general mood of the chosen few made this our event of the year.
2 You Rang Award
Nothing Lurch-like about Paul Burrell, the former butler and confidante of Princess Diana. He charmed everyone he met at a ‘Royal’ high tea at Palazzo Versace in August. We especially loved his definition of good manners – you should talk about the other person, do no harm and ensure that the person you are with feels as if they are the most important thing in the world. Oh! And don’t check your phone every minute to see how many ‘likes’ you have received for that post about your smashed avocado with chai latte at brunch. He had moi at ‘hello’.
3 Tick Tock Award
When Tag Heuer held a special VIP night two of the guests were noted watch aficionados Mayor Tom Tate and management rights guru Frank Picone. The latest and greatest in time pieces were on display and before you could say ‘Fantastic plastic’ the duo had managed to rack up some serious sales figures on their exclusive wrist bling.
4 Diva Darling Award
The Bali Diva charity lunch has quickly become one of those feel good events which the Gold Coast loves to embrace. Held at Edgewater Dining in May, the aim is to raise funds for underprivileged children in Bali while having some fun. Sandy Bell (pictured) and her team certainly made this one of those feel good events where everyone wins.
5 Same Time Next Year Award
We do love the Magic Millions Carnival because it embraces everything that the Gold Coast does so well – parties, sunshine and a chance to dress to impress. Katie Page and Gerry Harvey have created a world class event that is enjoyed by everyone who gets involved. This year The Dome was as ever the place to be with guests including Gina Rinehart, Annastacia Palaszczuk, the newly married Ryan and Claire Stokes (pictured), former Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale before his spectacular fall from grace and an assortment of sports and television stars.
6 Careful, She Might Hear You Award
After Ruth Tate’s heart attack her husband Tom wanted to throw a surprise birthday party in September for his beloved. Guests had to be seated in Cicchetti’s restaurant at an appointed hour and then Ruth would arrive with Tom. There was only one stipulation – given the state of her recovering heart, nobody was allowed to yell ‘Surprise!’ or make a big song and dance. When Ruth (pictured) walked in she was ushered to her table and then slowly realised that the many smiling faces belonged to 100 of her nearest and dearest friends.
7 Life is a Cabaret Award
Not quite sure who was more surprised – the players or the punters – by the huge success of Blanc de Blanc during their initial season here in March. The tres risqué romp headlined by Monsieur Romeo was lapped up by the local audiences who delighted in the naughty bits, gleefully enjoyed the water splashing and laughed in all the right places. It was such a blancing hit that they came back for a return season in October.
8 Protest Upheld Award
One of the fun events at Polo by the Sea is the Gentleman’s Sprint. It has become a tradition where the young bucks put down their champagne flutes and line up for a quick 50 metres dash to the finish line. This year one of the starters in this non-weight for age event was Tom Tate who gave away many years and speed plus he had the added handicap of high heeled boots. Ever anxious to make a good impression Tom jumped the start and managed to ‘accidentally’ bump one of the other runners sending him sprawling in the dirt. Weirdly, despite the fact that he ran stone motherless last he still ended up winning the prize – a cap. Who’s a happy Mayor?
9 Not Quite an Overnight Success Award
Years of plying her craft on stages here, there and everywhere have ensured local muso Amy Shark (left) has done the hard yards and learnt how to work an audience while developing her musical skills. In what has been a break-out year for the ultra-talented singer/songwriter she won Artist of the Year and Song of the Year at the Gold Coast Music Awards in April, then appeared on The Late, Late Show with James Cordern in America and finally picked up an ARIA award. The Gold Coast started the ball rolling so a big ‘bravo’ to Amy for her talent, grit and determination.