Gold Coast Wonder Women The Wives of SLIM'S Medical Contributors

Wonder Women

SHARING SOME OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND AMBITIONS OF THE TALENTED WIVES OF SLIM'S MEDICAL CONTRIBUTORS.

NICOLE CRONIN

Married to Dr Drew Cronin, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at The Lotus Institute, Nicole has achieved plenty in her own career.

“I grew up on a farm in a small town called Proserpine where we bred and showed horses,” she recounts. “I was also very sporty as a teenager making it to the national titles for athletics. I moved to Brisbane for university where I studied a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Bachelor of Education.

“After university I travelled to England where I worked as a high school PE teacher and travelled throughout the UK, Europe, Egypt and Morocco. When I returned to Australia, I worked for a company that distributed Plastic Surgery Medical Devices as a Product Specialist.”

Nicole and Drew met at a Plastic Surgery Conference on the Gold Coast in 2011 when Drew was a junior doctor at Gold Coast Hospital.

“Drew kept my business card in his wallet for two years before he worked up the courage to contact me. It just so happened that we would both be travelling to Queenstown for a ski holiday, and we met up over there. The rest, as they say, is history!”

While on maternity leave, Nicole completed her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) through the University of Queensland, graduating with Honours.

“I returned to work and for the next four years I was the National Product Manager for the plastic surgery portfolio.”

Currently, Nicole is juggling the needs of her family and managing the construction of their new clinic, The Coastal Clinic - Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics on Ferry Road.

“When it’s completed, I will take on the General Manager role of the clinic.”With three children and various competing responsibilities, Nicole’s routine can be quite hectic.

“Getting kids ready to go to school and daycare drop off for Maddy and James. I am lucky enough to have a nanny who looks after my four-month-old daughter while I work on the new clinic business plans and have meetings about the build with architects, builders, interior designers. Then school pickup and the evening routine of dinner, bath and bed before sitting down and enjoying some quiet time and a debrief of the day with Drew.”

Fortunately, living and working on the Gold Coast allows Nicole and Drew to unwind and enjoy the best of all worlds.

“I love the laid-back lifestyle, the weather and being so close to the beautiful beaches and waterways. It’s a great place to raise a young family. When we have time, we enjoy Restaurant Labart in Burleigh for date night and Paddock Bakery for the best breakfast on the GC. And of course, The Lotus Institute for everything pertaining to beauty, laser and injectables.

“Queenstown is still one of our all-time favourite holidays, however having three small children has made that a little challenging. So, these days our destinations of choice for family holidays are Hamilton Island and Fiji.”

FIONA CARY

A qualified nurse and midwife, Fiona Cary, married to Dr Andrew Cary, who specialises in Fertility, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, now works as his practice manager.

“I manage all the accounts and assist Andrew to run the business side of the practice. I’m also the relief secretary.”

Fiona undertook her general nursing training at the Mater Adult Hospital Brisbane and worked there for a number of years before heading to the old Holy Spirit Hospital working in ICU. “I then did my midwifery training at the Royal Women’s Brisbane,” she continues. “I was 34 weeks pregnant when I completed this training and Andrew was on the O&G training program, so we moved location each year for four years and had another baby during that time.”

Beyond work, Fiona is a keen golfer and loves skiing. “We have skied in many different locations around the world and have recently started more walking holidays. Our favourite destinations are NZ for the beautiful scenery and golf. Now we have a son who lives in Vancouver we frequently spread our wings to Canada.“Closer to home, we are about to head out to the Scenic Rim for a couple of days. I have also just taken up knitting again and have always enjoyed sewing.”

Fiona, Andrew and their children arrived on the Gold Coast in the early 90s, when Andrew was completing his training. “We had such a wonderful experience, we decided to return after a year living in the UK.

“We saw the coast as a city with so much potential and have watched it grow so much over the past 30 years. The Gold Coast has everything that we have needed – great schools, great supportive hospital, we have not wanted to be anywhere else.”

Denizens of the waterfront enclave known as the Isle of Capri, the Carys are fans of Via Roma for its shopping and restaurants.

“We our very fortunate to have lived on the Isle of Capri for the last 20 years and have watched it change and mature. We enjoy the shops and restaurants at Via Roma as well as Island Emporium. We eat out regularly and try restaurants at Nobby's and Burleigh Heads, especially with our adult children.”

KIM FREE

Kim Free is addicted to adventure. Wife of Specialist Bariatric Surgeon, Dr Jason Free, Kim is Business Manager at their private practice, working behind the scenes. “Jason and I are a great team, and we’ve been together 22 years, with five amazing kids,” states Kim.

“My background is in outdoor recreation and education. I specialised in high adventure, climbing, abseiling ropes courses, leading adventure expeditions.

“Jason and I met on the side of a mountain, rock climbing.”

Their kids are just as active, undertaking a variety of sports, surf club, music and more. “It’s busy - but so much fun and so rewarding,” says Kim.

“My day is centred around supporting everyone; preparing meals, before and after school activities. There’s always someone doing something to cheer on or help to get ready. I love being a mum. Family is everything to us.” hiking and exploring, mountaineering, scuba diving, as well as cooking and gardening.

“We’re very involved in youth development and manage the Under 6s at our surf club,” says Kim. “The Gold Coast offers a great lifestyle and lots of opportunities to do anything you love. It’s a great place for kids to grow up.”

When it comes to hidden gems on the GC, Kim says her “go to” destination for fantastic food is Cardamom Pod at Brickworks. “Their food and smoothies are amazing!”