Editor’s Letter – Welcome to the launch issue

Welcome

FROM KATE

During lockdown, I, like many others, had time to look around and evaluate what my life was about and how to go about achieving the things that were really worthwhile. One of those was re-launching a magazine that had always been close to my heart – Gold Coast Panache Magazine. Speaking to my good friend Jenni Purdy, who was the original founder over 20 years ago, she was thrilled and delighted about the idea. So here we are, loud and proud about this new direction. For those who don’t know me I have lived on the Gold Coast for nearly 35 years. I finished my schooling here, went to university here and then lived in Japan for two years. (Yes, I was the only blonde living there at the time which was a lot of fun.) After that adventure I moved back home and started a sales and marketing career with Sea FM and Gold FM where I worked for 17 years. There was a valuable lesson I learned when I first applied for a position in radio. Kim Bending, who would become my first boss, remembered that I had called to see if I got the job, (I didn’t). However he was blown away that I had cold-called him to check and not long after I was fortunate enough to join the team. I am putting it out there - I love the Gold Coast with a passion. It is impossible to imagine living anywhere else and with my family, husband Simon and children Bailey and Zoe, we are here forever. We are great believers in giving back and to that end I have started a group called Gold Coast Wonder Women. It is a forum to help women connect and help each other in our city. There are very successful events being held consistently with the proceeds going to our charity of choice, The Gold Coast Community Fund. Over the past 10 years, events that I have staged have been the largest contributor of funds year in year out to this uniquely local charity. My father John, who sadly passed away a year ago, once said to me “Success will kill the haters, go and do what you are great at and that’s everything”. It is advice I have lived by ever since. I am particularly proud of what has been achieved with the launch of the new Gold Coast Panache Magazine. It has something for everyone. A wonderful fashion spread, social photos from all the major functions, and a dazzling spread on the new JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa. Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty have a wide range of the best properties for sale plus there are an array of recipes, books, health advice and so many other delights to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the read – it is a magazine designed for you. Finally a quote from the legendary Michael Jordan - “You never know what you can accomplish until you try.”

Katex

COVER: Margot Robbie at the 93rd Annual Academy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA. Stock Image by Chris Pizzello Editorial credit: Chris Pizzello/Pool/Shutterstock POOL IMAGE: JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa PUBLISHER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kate Bennett

GRAPHIC DESIGN Panache Design Co CONTRIBUTORS Peter Flowers • Suzanna Costello • Rebecca Baird • Olivia Scott • Felicity Cohen • Katrina Sanguigno • Cindy Butler • Azra Kujovic • Bianca Dye • Belinda Dawes • Susan East • Deb Kells-Roach • Thea Jeanes-Cochrane • Kimberley White • Liz Clift • Jenni Purdy • Nellie McKinley • Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty • JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa • The Oracle • Helene Omeros and Charles Millard • Princess Yachts • Gold Coast Jaguar • Elly McLean • Juliet Bell • Danielle Winter • Renee Polden • Leschen Smaller • Abbi Golightly • Courtney Hancock • John-Paul Langbroek • Catherine Fitzsimmons • Damien Anthony Rossi SOCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY Damien Anthony Rossi Annie Noon ~ Fotoforce Regina King and Peter Flowers photography Vethaak Media

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Phone: 0419 909 925 kate@goldcoastpanache.com.au EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES kate@goldcoastpanache.com.au. MEDIA REQUESTS kate@goldcoastpanache.com.au. ACCOUNTS Cara Briggs: cbriggs@omb.com.au BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Elizabeth Austin

IT AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONSULTANT Bailey Bennett and Zoe Bennett DISTRIBUTORS Dr Peter Widdowson • Dr Drew Cronin • Hairart Boutique • Gold Coast Private Hospital • Currumbin Clinic • 5th Avenue Jewellers• OMB Solicitors • Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty • JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa • Sonia Stradiotto • Liz Clift • Pacific Fair • Mortgage Choice • Element Business & Accounting Solutions HEAD OFFICE PO Box 8875, Gold Coast Mail Centre Q 9726 Phone: 0419 909 925 Email: info@goldcoastpanache.com.au www.goldcoastpanache.com.au

ABN 87 650 371 232

Gold Coast Panache Magazine is published four times a year by Journey Developments. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without permission from Gold Coast Panache Magazine. Copyright belongs to Gold Coast Panache Magazine. Liability howsoever as a result of use or reliance upon advice, representation, statement, opinion, or conclusion expressed in Gold Coast Panache Magazine is expressly disclaimed by the publisher and all persons involved in the preparation of this publication. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily the views of the publisher. Any dispute or complaint regarding advertisements must be made within seven days of publication. Inclusion of any copy must not be taken as any endorsement by the Publisher. Views expressed by contributors are personal views and they are not necessarily endorsed by the Publisher.