TANI CHANGING THE WORLD … ONE STEP AT A TIME
BEING named Harvey Norman Gold Coast Woman of the Year still doesn’t feel real for Tani Bloudell — but holding the trophy helps.
The 24-year-old volunteer and fundraising co-ordinator for Radio Lollipop was among eight category winners celebrated at a belated lunch at The Island Surfers Paradise on Friday.
“I didn’t realise I’d won until I got home after work and a friend called to congratulate me,” she said.
“I thought it was really lovely to win Young Woman of the Year and I didn’t think I had a chance at winning overall with so many amazing women on the Gold Coast.
“I want to thank all of the sponsors because without these awards giving us a platform, people like me wouldn’t be able to continue going out and making a difference. It’s really important to share these stories and inspire people, because it can be the reason they do something in turn.”
Ms Bloudell, who was in Year 2 when she first decided she wanted to “change the world”, now plans to enter politics with the top job in her sights.
“I want to be prime minister,” she said.
The winners of the annual
Gold Coast Bulletin initiative were announced in June in a virtual reveal at goldcoastbulletin.com.au
Also attending the lunch were Angels Among Us winner Kathrine Peereboom, Champion of Education Dr Julia Crilly, Champion of Sport Renee Cohen, Entrepreneur Amreeta Abbott, Mentor Larissa Rose, The Entertainers’ AmyLouise Anderson, Wellness Warrior Dr Cherie Hugo and
People’s Choice pick Melissa McGuinness.
While COVID-19 restrictions delayed the celebrations, Gold Coast Bulletin editor Rachel Hancock said they did not affect the calibre of entries.
More than 3500 reader votes for People’s Choice were testament to the talent.
“It was really tough choosing a winner from so many inspiring stories,” Ms Hancock said.