Witheriff’s happy just giving back to his city
JUDITH FERBER OAM
MEMBER of the Order of Australia winner Trina Hockley reckons she’s “just a normal person getting an award”.
But most would describe the humble Worongary mum and businesswoman as extraordinary.
Ms Hockley was “excited and surprised” to be awarded her Australia Day AM honour for significant service to the community and business.
JOHN Witheriff deflects personal satisfaction of long list of achievements.
He says they are just a way to give back to the city he loves.
The Gold Coast business giant was this weekend recognised for his long service to the city’s business community and awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
“People want to come here for the same reasons I want to live here,” he said. “The challenge is we do what we can to ensure we are maintaining the liveability of the city.”
Mr Witheriff was one of a number of Gold Coasters to be recognised for outstanding achievements yesterday. Other award recipients include educators, LGBTIQ advocates, business people, charity volunteers, two police officers and those involved in the arts.
The Order of Australia Awards recognise Australian citizens for achievement or meritorious service and are awarded on Australia Day or the Queen’s Birthday.
There are few people who can say they have contributed more to shaping the Gold Coast than Mr Witheriff. He has been the chairman of GoldLinQ, which operates the light rail, since 2011, spent 16 years on the Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce, eight years as chairman of the City’s Economic Development board, was founding chair of the Gold Coast Suns, was a Gold Coast Commonwealth the his
“I never expected to be acknowledged for just doing what I do,” she said.
“It’s helped me as much as it’s helped other people.”
Ms Hockley (right) has helped disengaged youth obtain an education as chair of Ohana For Youth and Arcadia College and is assisting in the launch of the woman’s AFL team for the Gold Coast Suns as non-executive director of Gold Coast Sport.
Previously, she was part of the team which made Gold
JOHN WITHERIFF AM
Games Corporation board member and recently oversaw the Gold Coast Tourism Advisory Panel.
“G:link has provided a convenient and reliable way to move across the city and has been embraced by the community,” he said.
“Stage 3A will be another major benefit to the Gold Coast and our focus now is on delivering the extension with minimal impact on the community and businesses.”
On his 10 years as chairman of the Suns, he said: “Having the opportunity to help establish the club from the ground up, and to be successfully awarded the 17th AFL team licence, was a very proud achievement.
“Serving as chairman was certainly one of the most exciting challenges in my career. However, I am confident the club is moving in the right direction and will experience success in years to come.
“When we established the club we wanted to ensure it would benefit the community beyond the sporting field and
Coast TAFE “the most efficient and productive TAFE in Queensland”.
But that’s just a small sample of the 58-year-old’s long list of achievements over the years.
Ms Hockley, who runs family venture L&M Group, made special mention of her ongoing work with Arcadia.
“These kids have been kicked out of mainstream schooling. A lot of them are homeless, a lot of them have autism. To go to the graduation the charitable endeavours and community work by the club has achieved this.”
He started his career as a lawyer at Minter Ellison where he was partner and still acts as executive chairman.
Mr Witheriff was also a member of the regional economic development association and a member of the Queensland Liquor Appeals Tribunal.
Asked what achievement he was most proud of, Mr Witheriff found it hard to pin down a single project.
“What I am most proud of is – I was born on the Gold Coast and I have seen the Gold Coast grow and change and I have had the privilege of being able to do my small part in that.”
As well as watching the city grow, Mr Witheriff raised three children on the Gold Coast and is now looking to the city’s future for his grandchildren.
“We have to invest in the culture and the arts,” he said.
Mr Witheriff said after the Commonwealth Games and with the presence of the Gold Coast Suns and Titans the city was in prime position when it came to sports events and facilities. He said the next stage should be the arts.
“(Gold Coast Mayor) Tom Tate has done a fantastic job making HOTA but I think there is a lot more to be done there.” He declined to name specific cultural events or projects but said he would be talking to the Mayor and the Gold Coast City Council CEO after the March elections.
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to find out that four of them have got into university, it’s just amazing,” she said.
The Broadbeach State and Miami High School graduate got her first board role at 38 and it “made me realise how beneficial it is to help others and not just yourself”.
When she spoke to the Bulletin, Ms Hockley had only told her three adult sons, David, Jack and Sam, about the AM award and they were “over the moon”.
– LUKE MORTIMER