Four remarkable members of the Griffith University community have been recognised in the Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year awards.

Griffith School of Nursing and Midwifery emergency care expert and alumnus Professor Julia Crilly OAM, Bachelor of Exercise Science alumnus Renee Cohen, Bachelor of Education alumnus Amy-Louise Anderson, and Bachelor of Health Science and Master of Nutrition and Dietetics alumnus Dr Cherie Hugo were all honoured in the awards for their contribution to the Gold Coast community.

Professor Crilly was named as the Champion of Education winner and said she loved the opportunity to contribute to the learning journey of students and emergency department clinicians.

Professor Julia Crilly OAM.

“I love providing them with the tools and ability to think critically about their practice and their research to ultimately improve patient outcomes,” Professor Crilly said.

“Everyone has an important role in contributing to the best care for every single patient who comes through the front door, and I love the way people work together in emergency care nursing — the nurses, doctors, allied health staff, admin staff, cleaners, porters and so on.”

Professor Crilly was also recently awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to emergency care nursing and said it was an honour to be named in the awards.

“It is humbling to be named Champion of Education especially when I know there many other champions of education out there in a variety of sectors who have and continue to contribute to the lifelong learning of others,” she said.

“I have had the opportunity to learn from the best, and through my teaching I endeavour to instil and share world-leading learnings with the students and clinicians that I supervise, mentor and work with.”

Champion of Sport winner Ms Cohen (pictured in main image) finished her degree in 2003 and is now General Manager of Community and Development for the Gold Coast Titans.

“It was amazing to be among so many incredible women and hearing what they do for their communities, I feel so honoured.”

“Since graduating from Griffith, I have worked in rugby league for more than 15 years,” she said.

“I currently work at the Gold Coast Titans, where I have been able to design and deliver numerous different game and community initiatives.

Dr Cherie Hugo.

“I have worked in many different sectors of the game, to help ensure that everyone feels included in rugby league.”

Dr Hugo, who was named as Wellness Warrior winner, was recognised for her work to raise the quality of food available to those in aged care and continue providing residents with a voice.

The nutritionist started The Lantern Project, a national collaboration of individuals, industry and government agencies working together to seek solutions to the aged-care crisis and has launched EpiCURE, which is a rating tool for aged care homes around food and nutrition.

Ms Anderson, the Entertainers winner, was acknowledged for her service to the Gold Coast arts community, both as a secondary school drama teacher and head of production at Gold Coast Little Theatre.

She has been a long time member of the grassroots Gold Coast drama scene and enjoyed helping teenagers with a creative outlet.

A host of other Griffith alumni were shortlisted as finalists for the awards, including Danielle Lim, Dominique Loudon and Sue Dalton. Current journalism student Alex Wells was also a finalist.