Icon- Donna Gates

DONNA GATES

Family, friends and love of the Gold Coast are the pillars of our Deputy Mayor’s life.

Where were you born and spent your early life? I was born in Melbourne and lived there until 1984 when my husband and I bought a small tourism business at Tocumwal in NSW.

Describe your childhood and your early ambitions? I had an idyllic childhood and it’s full of great memories. We were (and still are) a very close-knit family and my sister and I were taught to be polite, respectful and to eat everything on our plate (even tripe and lambs fry which still horrifies me today). It was in the days where children should be seen but not heard. My Dad was very funny and, like me, often in trouble with Mum. My sister was perfect – pretty and smart and she always looked out for me. She still does. As a girl I wanted to be many things – initially a midwife, then a craft teacher, a florist was in there somewhere too – but after starting work in the radio industry, I ended up studying for a Business Degree in Real Estate because my father bought an agency, but radio got in the way (in a good way) and I never finished the degree.

What was your first job? My first job was at 3UZ in Melbourne. I started out as Secretary to the Station Manager and worked my way up through the ranks to become 3UZ’s Publicity and Promotions Manager. It was a dream job, working with the radio and television stars of the day. I learnt some valuable lessons about the media which has helped me enormously in my current role.

How did you meet your husband Bill? I met Bill at 3UZ when I was 17. He was the Program Manager after a stunning career in Brisbane radio and we had so much fun in those early days going to record launches and working together to promote the station. We have shared a lifetime of happiness - nearly 40 years married - but our son Matt remains our best ever achievement.

Why did you decide to enter local politics? I was working in an admin support role for Councillors when one resigned six months before the 2008 election. Council invited applications to decide the representative for the months leading up to the election. I put my name forward after gaining the support of about nine community groups in northern Gold Coast. The week prior to the decision, our former Mayor Gary Baildon also nominated and I thought that would be the end of my chances. To my surprise, I was supported by the Council of the day and the rest is history.

Best advice you have been given about being a councillor? Representation is such an individual thing and I can’t recall ever receiving strong advice. I’ve always worked hard and felt it important to be totally honest with the people I represent. When first elected, I made a pact with myself to never do lunch. Apart from a special industry gathering over the last 15 years, I’ve stuck to that pact.

Strangest/funniest request from a constituent? Having to talk to a constituent’s cockatoo on the phone. That’s a standout which caused a lot of laughter through the office.

Favourite way to relax? I love to read, I love the garden and I love sport. I don’t get so much time to read right now, but I do manage to spend time in the garden every week. There’s always plenty of sport on TV and I follow the Titans and the Suns and get to their games whenever I can. I’m also a keen racegoer.

Were you initially surprised by the demands of the job? The job is all consuming – but enjoyably so, and I have to admit to being obsessive about it. Becoming Deputy Mayor 10 years ago added to the workload but, overall, I’m honoured to have enjoyed such a privilege in the city I love and I still pinch myself when I think of how fortunate I’ve been.

You have represented Division 3 since 2007. Known as one of the fastest growing regions in Australia how do you keep pace with the rapid expansion? I’ve represented most of northern Gold Coast – and until 2020, the area I represented covered over one third of the geographical area of the Gold Coast. That has kept me busy. It’s been difficult retaining and fostering a strong sense of community due to the rapid growth and a real challenge to deliver the facilities and services necessary. Initially there was absolutely nowhere for the growing community to meet. Mums had to meet in parks and playgrounds because there were no locations for playgroup. I’ve worked hard to play a part in delivering the Upper Coomera Centre, the Ormeau Centre, the Ormeau Sports Park, Bim'bimba Park at Gainsborough Greens – and with incredible support from the Mayor, the new Pimpama Sports Hub. We now have the very best community facilities in the city and it’s been so rewarding to have enjoyed the support of Council in delivering this much needed infrastructure. I’m sure the funding was supported because Councillors became so tired of hearing me say “What about the north!”

What is your idea of a dream weekend? It’s pretty basic really – a coffee with the Gold Coast Bulletin is always a good start. We live next door to our son Matt and his wife Chelsea, so there’s often an early morning visit with family. When I’m not working I’m pretty happy to spend time at home. There are not too many weekends where there’s nothing on workwise – but I have to admit, that’s how I like it, because I love to be busy. I think everyone knows of my family’s interest in horse racing over many decades – and I do love to get out to the Gold Coast Turf Club on the occasional Saturday as well. Sundays are often for agenda reading…. That’s definitely not a dream, it’s a necessity.

Donna x