TANI GOES THE EXTRA SMILE
Young gun named our Woman of the Year
SHE’S spent half her life volunteering and giving back to others, but a simple smile is all Tani Bloudell needs to fuel her tank.
The selfless 24-year-old has been crowned the Harvey Norman Gold Coast Woman of the Year after also winning the Young Women category.
While she was “extremely honoured and excited”, the volunteer and fundraising co-ordinator for Radio Lollipop sees the title as a way to amplify her message of kindness.
“It’s a privilege because it gives me a chance to use it as a platform to make even more of a difference,” she said.
Ms Bloudell was chosen from a field of 24 finalists across eight categories.
HARVEY Norman Gold Coast Woman of the Year Tani Bloudell says her win isn’t about her.
While she was “extremely honoured and excited”, the 24-year-old volunteer and fundraising co-ordinator for Radio Lollipop sees the title as a way to amplify her message of kindness.
“It’s a privilege because it gives me a chance to use it as a platform to make even more of a difference,” she said.
“It gives me a voice to show people that it doesn’t matter how little an idea starts, it can turn into a big idea that makes a big difference to somebody’s life.
“You never do this kind of work for recognition but it’s still really nice when you get it.”
Ms Bloudell was among eight category winners announced yesterday at goldcoastbulletin.com.au, the culmination of a four-month annual Gold Coast Bulletin campaign to celebrate the women making our city a better place.
People’s Choice was also fiercely contested, with more than 3500 reader votes testament to the talent, tenacity and heart of finalists.
Winner Melissa McGuinness said the recognition would help her put her selffunded charity YOU CHOOSE Youth Road Safety “on the radar”, potentially saving lives.
In 2012, her 18-year-old son Jordan was speeding and under the influence of alcohol and drugs when he died in one of the most horrific car crashes in Gold Coast history, claiming four other lives.
Finding purpose amid her grief, Ms McGuinness has already shared her story with around 45,000 high school students in the hope they will make better choices.
“The whole thing isn’t about me, it’s about advocacy for the students who’ve seen my presentation and think twice in the moment – the kids at 2am who are at a party and might have made some bad choices,” she said.
“We’re still a small organisation but the more times I get to share my story, the more it snowballs, so I thank Gold Coast Women of the Year for allowing me to do that. I hope it saves lives, I really do.”
Gold Coast Bulletin editor Rachel Hancock said the awards yet again proved that the Gold Coast was home to so many talented and inspirational women making a difference.
“I am particularly proud
Tani was chosen after winning one of our new categories, Young Women,’’ Ms Hancock said.
“It shows that no matter what age you can make a difference.’’
Naming right sponsor Harvey Norman CEO Katie
Page, part of the judging panel, said every one of the 250 nominations was an expression of gratitude.
“We all read about the finalists and the winners, but what Gold Coast Women of The Year does is make us all stop and consider all the women we live and work with, to recognise that what they see as just their normal day is extraordinary in the eyes of others,” she said.
“It is difficult to single anyone out because the calibre of the finalists was outstanding across the board.
“Each woman’s contribution is so exceptional that it is almost impossible to compare, but (Angels Among Us winner) Kathrine Peereboom’s work with health, safety and education of autistic Australians was particularly inspiring.
“Renee Cohen (Champions of Sport winner) is a role model for everyone who works in the sporting arena. She understands how team sport builds life skills and selfesteem far beyond the rules of the game.”
This year’s campaign introduced two new categories. Those paving the way for women in the workplace were acknowledged in Mentors, while Young Women shone a spotlight on our rising stars.
Mentors winner Larissa Rose, director of environmental consultancy Glowing Green Australia, said she was driven to provide a pathway for women aspiring to own their own business.
“I’ve had moments when I feel like I’m crawling through the trenches, but I think it’s important we help those women understand they can own their space, especially in a masculine-orientated world,” she said.
“Even if you’re a CEO or a boss, you don’t know everything. Transparency and being vulnerable is the most powerful thing that you can show your staff.”
EACH WOMAN’S CONTRIBUTION IS SO EXCEPTIONAL THAT IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO COMPARE
HARVEY NORMAN CEO KATIE PAGE