COAST’S TOP 10 POWER COUPLES
Gig kings, pollies, social media stars and sports and business bosses
IN their own right they wield great influence on the mechanics and future of the Gold Coast, covering many different sectors. Together, that direction is magnified.
In the latest instalment in the Bulletin’s Power 100 list, we unveil the city’s Top 10 Power Couples.
10. PANDORA BONSOR AND LINCOLN LEWIS
The former Home and Away actor and son of rugby league legend Wally Lewis is smitten with his influencer partner, recently taking her for her first trip to Melbourne. Bonsor, an aspiring actor herself, has 27,000 followers on Instagram, is a talented dancer and works in a law firm.
9. COURTNEY HANCOCK AND NICK BUCHANAN
Ironwoman Hancock announced her long-awaited engagement to Australian cricketer Buchanan in the lead up to Christmas while on a trip to Noosa. Hancock this year became the first woman to win four Coolangatta Gold titles, while Buchanan is the son of Australian cricket coach John.
8. BILLY AND JACKIE CROSS
The former Cleo magazine
journalist and the founder of the Manpower juggernaut – operating in Las Vegas to sellout shows every night with a troupe that also travels the world – operate entertainment powerhouse Cross Promotions International, plus the nightclub and restaurant of the hottest spot in town, Nineteen at the Star.
Mr Cross, who has been on the Gold Coast for four decades plus, said it had given him so much that “I can’t be more thankful to the city”.
“If we can work with a promoter to bring 20,000 people here, it all brings benefits to the Coast. I’m happy we can play our part,” he said, adding they had 15 festivals lined up between now and Christmas.
“The great thing now is people are looking at the Gold Coast now and saying this place is moving in the right direction and we are finally becoming an events destination.”
Asked how he felt about being dubbed a power couple of the city, Mr Cross said: “As much as it’s nice to have the recognition, we don’t see ourselves as a powerful couple – we just see ourselves as people working hard for each other and doing things that benefit the city. If we can play our part
in the growth of the city and tourism, then that’s great.”
7. LIAM TALBOT AND CHARLI ROBINSON
The millionaire Australian racing driver, son of billionaire coal baron Ken Talbot, and the former Hi-5 member, now Getaway host, have been inseparable since September 2016. They have two daughters together: Kensington, 3, and Theadora, 1.
6. MEAGHAN SCANLON AND MARK BAILEY
The 29-year-old Member for Gaven, Scanlon, is the youngest ever female state MP and is
Minister for Environment, the Great Barrier Reef, Science and Youth Affairs. Bailey is the Minister for Transport and Main Roads. The couple announced they were an item in the Gold Coast Bulletin over breakfast in September 2018.
5. TAMMY HEMBROW AND MATT POOLE
Ironman and Maman Bar and Kitchen restaurant and bar owner Poole proposed to mega-influencer Hembrow with the help of Tammy’s children, Saskia and Wolf, last November. Hembrow, currently pregnant with the couple’s first child, is a fashion and
fitness phenomenon with 14.4m followers on Instagram, her own clothing line and fitness app.
4. TONY COCHRANE AM AND THEA JEANESCOCHRANE
The Gold Coast Suns chairman and former Supercars boss runs iEC Entertainment with wife and director Thea. The couple is an authority on entertainment and events production.
3. BEC AND LLEYTON HEWITT
The actor and her retired tennis champ husband are enjoying a laid-back family life at
Burleigh Waters after paying a record price for a property labelled the “most photographed home in Queensland”.
The couple paid $4.305m for The Palms, after previously renting in the southern Coast suburb. They share three children – Ava, Mia and Cruz.
2. SIMON AND TAH-NEE BEARD
This dynamic duo founded the wildly successful Culture Kings fashion empire, propelling them onto the list of Australia’s wealthiest people. The pair holds one of the city’s most impressive property
portfolios, having paid a record $15.25m for the Soul penthouse, and also owning mega mansion Riverpoint.
1. BRETT AND REBECCA FRIZELLE OAM
The co-owner of the Gold Coast Titans is also the team’s former chairwoman. Ms Frizelle stepped down as a director of developer Sunland Group this year, but remains on the Griffith University Advisory Board and St Hilda’s School Foundation Board. Husband Brett is head of the family’s car sales businesses and co-owner of $32.75m former Sunland development site The Lanes.