To mark International Women’s Day on March 8 2022, the Gold Coast Bulletin (a daily newspaper serving Australia’s Gold Coast region) compiled a list of the city’s most influential women. As you begin to read down the list of prestigious and inspiring health experts, athletes and entrepreneurs, you don’t have to go far before seeing the name of Support the Girl’s very own CEO and Founder, Jane Holmes. Placing just behind Gold Coast Health’s Dr. Kylie Alcorn, an infectious disease expert who has worked on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19, Jane has been named as the second most influential woman in the Gold Coast area; a high honour indeed!

Currently working hard in Goonellabah, QLD, to help provide aid to flood victims, it took another volunteer catching sight of the article a day late and sending it to Jane for her to even hear about the impressive honour. “I wasn’t even aware of it!” Jane tells me over the phone. And for those of you who know Jane, you’ll recognize just how typical of her that is: always far more engrossed in doing whatever she can to help those in need than basking in or seeking out any personal accolades. “It is just such an honour to be acknowledged amongst other high achieving and inspirational women,” she says.

Despite her modesty, Jane is no stranger to awards. In 2021 she was crowned the champion at the Harvey Normal Gold Coast Women of the Year awards, which celebrated women who have overcome significant obstacles on their journey to becoming positive and proactive members of the community. Recognitions such as these only scratch the surface of the commitment, passion, empathy and resolve that Jane embodies in her daily work for Support the Girls. Every single person I’ve spoken to at the charity offers up unprompted praise of her. “The thing I’m most proud of at the charity is Jane getting the reputation she has without pandering to people. She just works so hard to achieve for others,” says Deb, one of the charity’s Volunteer Coordinators. When I spoke to Diane, one of Support the Girl’s Directors who has worked with Jane for several years, she tells me that it is “just the sheer tenacity of Jane to keep things going” that has got the charity to where it is now.

As our incredible CEO and Founder is unlikely to start singing her own praises any time soon, we will just have to do it for her. She is an indisputable inspiration to all those out there who wish to help others, and she is more than deserving of the title of ‘Second Most Influential Woman’!

To read the Gold Coast Bulletin’s article on the Gold Coast’s top 30 most influential women, click here:

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/international-womens-day-2022-gold-coasts-top-30-most-influential-women/news-story/38637d87bf93d572a66bf20f9adb97c8

To read the Gold Coast Bulletin’s article on the Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the year, click here:

https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/special-features/women-of-the-year/harvey-norman-gold-coast-women-of-year-winners-2021/news-story/a1df8195043f8bc0a2f2eadf610eeb6f

What better way to epitomise STGA than the face of inspiring Aussie wom*n! From the talented stables of the Thoughtful Gift Shop team, comes the ‘Inspirational Aussie Women’ range that donates $5 directly to STGA for every item sold.

The Thoughtful Gift Shop is an Australian based, wom*n run small business that created a brand based on thoughtfulness. They specialise in one-of-a-kind, hand-made gifts that are perfect for friends, family, loved ones or even a treat for yourself! They have created a seamlessly beautiful range of products that celebrate Australian nature and wildlife in all it’s shapes, sizes and colours. They offer a range of homewares, decorative pieces, gifts including customisable prints, tote bags and jewellery.

The thoughtful gift shop also partners with not-for-profit organisations and charities to create customised lines of gifts. They then donate part of the profits to the selected charity, places like Food Bank, Sands, and even us!

Our Partnership

We have partnered with The Thoughtful Gift Shop this year to create a line of merchandise featuring important Australian wom*n to celebrate all that they have overcome and their achievements. These figures include: Julia Gillard, Poh Ling Yeow, Kylie Minogue, Cathy Freeman, Lee Lin Chin and many more.

The line includes:

• A Tote Bag – To show off at school, uni or work!

• A Fabric Pouch – You could use it as a pencil case, a toiletries bag or even to protect your Pads, tampons and diva cups from the depths of your handbag!
• A Notebook – For all your amazing thoughts, ideas and dreams!
• A Tea Towel – Hang it up in your kitchen to add a pop of colour!

I know what you’re thinking, “Where do I purchase this amazingly beautiful line of ethically Australian made goods?” Great Question! You can find their collaboration at https://thoughtfulgiftshop.com.au under the tab ‘Shop by Collection’ and then ‘Aussie Women’.

Let us know if you decided to buy from our gorgeous collection by tagging us #SupportTheGirlsAustralia in your post on Facebook or Instagram. We would love to see how you decided to show off these amazing Australian wom*n!

STGA is very excited to announce the newest Director and Board Member, Tina Randello.

Tina has been instrumental in creating an innovative program called The Encoreship program with Alpha-H. It creates pathways within businesses to get women back into the workforce. She brings an incredible skill set to the charity, especially with her ability to create strong brand recognition. With Tina’s help, Support the Girls is hoping to attract the right people to continue the charity’s growth.

Tina had the opportunity over the last year to get to know STGA through our CEO, Jane Holmes. Jane said, “I had the pleasure of being mentored by Tina and have got to know her as a person. She is a truly humble achiever and, like me, has a huge heart for seeing women succeed in life. I hope everyone will join me in welcoming her on board.”

It was a busy wrap up to the year on the Gold Coast. In November and December, the Gold Coast team did two STGA Bra Gifting events, three Service Provider events, Early Risers raffle ticket sales, a volunteers’ dinner, volunteers’ Xmas party and, of course, their regular monthly meet up.

The Christmas STGA event was well attended this year, all thanks to the team for the hard work they did prior to the event. Last year, only 50% of booked ladies attended, but this year there were only a handful of no-shows, which were easily filled by ladies who turned up on the day. The 75 attendees enjoyed a delicious morning tea, and every lady received a Christmas gift. There were lucky door prizes to raffle, including two food hampers kindly donated by our volunteers. There were a few old faces and plenty of new ones. The only thing missing was some music, which we will be rectified in 2022.

The Helensvale STGA event trialled a new format. Due to a generous donation of gourmet cheeses, the event was held in the afternoon. The attendees enjoyed the tea and delicious savoury treats, so it is expected other afternoon events will be booked throughout 2022.

The Service Provider events were more intimate. There were a range of ladies in need, all with their own story of hardship. One lady was getting by with only one pair of underpants, another 20-something year old had never had a proper bra, let alone a fitting. Like a lot of the attendees at first, she was very timid but soon warmed and was happily trying on bras by end of her fitting. All the team are looking forward to getting out there again this year, putting smiles on faces and supporting women in their community and beyond.