Amelia Evans is a chartered accountant with years of experience in Australia and overseas across the aviation, telco, fast moving consumer goods and property industries. In July 2022 Amelia was appointed Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) CEO. When the opportunity arose to interview Amelia we jumped at the chance to learn a little more about the woman behind this impressive resume. We talked about the career path that led Amelia to QAL, her love of travel, and what she loves to do in her downtime.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
Gold Coast is home to me. I moved here as a teenager (but spending most holidays on the GC), it’s where I completed my university degree and landed my first career role at Ernst & Young.  I did move overseas for 15 years; however, I moved back to the Gold Coast 8 years ago and have been living here since and loving it.  I’ve always considered myself a local,  I’ve seen a lot of change here (while some things are still just the way I’ve always remembered)!

What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
My large family, old and new friends, the relaxed vibe, weather and our growing selection of great local restaurants and cafes (secret foodie).

Tell us a little bit about yourself (both personally and professionally).
Personally – I’m a daughter, sister, aunty, wife and mum.  My family are my purpose, and just about everything I do is with or for them.  My husband is Canadian, and we have 1 son who is 9 and they are my world. I love having fun, and have always been very adventurous, whether it was wreck and shark diving, canyoning, or jumping out of planes, but these days I just stick to some form of sport and activity by walking/playing soccer/tennis/golf.

I love travel and food and will spend every waking minute planning a holiday and all the restaurants we should go to (drives my husband crazy).  I love singing (sometimes badly), reading books (mostly on wellness, leadership and biographies), and I have become extremely reflective and curious over the past few years, so have been learning a lot about different types of philosophies, and holistic ways to improve the way we live (from Ayurvedic wellness which I loved while in India, or the Tao).  Surrounding myself with people who appreciate new insights in this space has brought a renewed sense of purpose to who I am.  Even my son and team groan when I burn a palo santo stick here or there.

Professionally, I started my career at Ernst & Young in Bundall, but when the opportunity to move to the Solomon Islands with EY came my way I jumped at the chance. I lived there for two years working as a financial controller, overseeing the export of copra (coconut) and travelling across many islands. It was a life-changing but wholesome experience that gave me new perspectives on life and people. From there, I moved to London and then New York where I worked in the Teleco industry, it was a super challenging period in my career as I took on many roles, some I’m sure were out of my depth at the time.

Just when I was due to come back to Australia to work, an opportunity came my way to move to the Caribbean as a COO overseeing IGA supermarkets, a marina and developing commercial/residential property. It was an unbelievable 5 years; I loved the job but it was the people who I loved and learned from the most. It’s also where I met my husband, Colin. Together, we moved back to Sydney, where I worked with Qantas for 7 years before landing the CFO role at Queensland Airports Limited here on the Gold Coast in 2016, and most recently taking on the role of CEO. A whirlwind career with an immense of amount of twists, turns and resilience building to get to where I am today.

What does a typical day look like?  
The first thing I do is see if my son is awake (he generally is) and attempt a quick cuddle (I’m much more keen than he is), then try and make time for a ‘morning moment’ (meditation/Gi Gong), have a cup of green tea, then get my mind and body in gear to get on with the day. This generally means making sure my son has brekky, lunch and all things ready for school (husband is much better at this than me depending on my diary), drive along the beautiful Gold Coast Highway to the airport and hit the ground running. My diary is generally packed for the day so other than going from meeting to meeting, I try and make sure I walk around and have a chat to the team, have an acai bowl for lunch and by the time I finish up meetings, I am focused on getting home to have dinner with the family if I’m not travelling, at an event or in Brisbane. Downtime comes later in the evening.

What do you love most about your new position at QAL? 
Having a great team – I am surrounded by a team who give a lot to QAL, and are all such good human beings to be around, even during the toughest times. I am proud of our business and our team, and have felt very humbled for the opportunity to take on this new role. It’s a huge responsibility to make sure everyone feels included, safe and do all the things we need to keep our passengers, community, industry colleagues and shareholders happy.  The other thing I love (which is not a secret to most) is the fact that I do get to see aircraft every day. I have loved planes since I was a child and spent many hours stalking them around the world, particularly while travelling and working overseas.

For those who don’t know, tell us about the Gold Coast Airport redevelopment?  
Our newly opened International Terminal was developed as a $260 million expansion project, doubling our terminal’s footprint. The redevelopment sits right next to the existing terminal and connects seamlessly via a system that has the ability to swing between domestic and international services, facilitating smooth passenger flow-through inside. The new facility is contemporary inside and out, bringing our customers a fresh, modern-day experience. It’s three levels, with level two being the departure lounge, offering spectacular views over the beautiful hinterland, as well as our new duty-free store, and Wollumbin Café and Bar for international passengers to enjoy while they wait for their flight.

What should customers expect at the new Gold Coast Airport?
An awesome team and ambassadors, fresh food and modern retail outlets (with more to come over the next year), beautifully designed architecture, exceptional scenery, and if you’re lucky a friendly tail wag from one our in-terminal therapy dogs.

Tell us… what are the future plans now for Gold Coast Airport? Any new flight routes?  
The future is exciting, we are always looking to add new destinations and airlines to our Gold Coast Airport network, and there are plenty of exciting announcements to come. However, securing these agreements can take a long time and often require a lot of different stakeholders (government, airlines, tourism) to work together to make it happen. It’s an exciting time, with just under 10 years to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympics Games – now is the time to reposition the Gold Coast as a brand by finding new ways to tell our story, sharing new and inclusive experiences to ensure this opportunity is fully leveraged. The Gold Coast is a spectacular place to visit and an even better place to live, so as an airport we are focused on what we do best, removing the barriers of distance and connecting communities all over the world. It’s up to the whole community to share our stories and make it a great place to be, so watch this space and get travelling everyone!

What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/Coffee spot: Tarte, Burleigh
Restaurant: Jimmy Wahs, Rick Shores and also Muso Ramen (can’t say no to ramen)
Bar or place for a drink: Rick Shores or Tropic (not very original I know)
Beach: Currumbin (brings back childhood memories and is a place I walked every single day with my son when he was first born)

How do you choose to spend your days off?
Watching my son play soccer (football), walking the dogs, seeing my penguin family (lots of them), having some downtime for a movie/yoga/tennis.

Once upon a time we left holidaymakers to their own devices in arguably the GC’s most famous beachside suburb, but off the beaten path – well to be fair, some are still very much on it – locals have been keeping these gems all to themselves for a little too long if you ask us. That’s right, Surfers Paradise is more than a postcard-perfect destination, it’s a lifestyle locals love to embrace, because why should we leave all the fun to the tourists! So now we’re here to spill the beans on all the reasons locals can’t get enough of Surfers Paradise.

For all-in-one spots
Surfers Paradise does convenience like a pro with destinations where you can shop, eat, and play all in one spot. Paradise Centre is a beachside fave with a mix of fashion, food, and fun, right at your fingertips in the heart of Cavill Mall. Just a short stroll away you’ll find Soul Boardwalk where laidback vibes met beachside dining and retail therapy aplenty – because what better way to get the food digesting than with a shopping moment.

If an urban escape is more up your alley then pop on over to Chevron Renaissance for all your boutique shopping needs, whether it’s a bite to eat, to grab groceries for the week, a new fit for that special event or a pedicure pamper moment your wish is their command. The two hour free parking is also a big drawcard!

All-you-can eats
If you’re in the market for a buffet that’ll bowl you over then you’ve come to the right place because at this point buffet should be Surfers Paradise’s middle name.

Locals know that they’ve got the buffet game locked down so if you’re up for eating so much seafood you’ll need to unbutton your pants to fit in another plate then Citrique at the JW Marriott has your name all over it.

Just down the highway you’ll find a bustling international market that dreams (and hungry bellies) are made of with QT Gold Coast’s iconic Bazaar Marketplace experience.

Edging on the cusp of neighbouring Broady, Horizon Sky Dining might have pretty much everything on the menu but what about revolving panoramic views of the Gold Coast? They’ve got those two and we’ll take a plate of both thank you very much.

For your morning sips
If you’re anything like us, the day doesn’t start until coffee has been sipped. Kickstart your day with the perfect brew at ESPL Coffee. This beachside gem is great for delicious bites with a friendly vibe.

If you’re seeking people who are serious about coffee, Paradox Coffee Roasters is the destination you seek. They are committed to producing the highest quality coffee there is — just ask the locals!

Like your morning sip with a side of epic treats? Janus Bakehouse is for you… don’t mind us drooling just thinking about it.

To escape the hustle & bustle head to Bumbles. Budds Beach has long been a local secret but there’s good reason why Gold Coasters have been flocking to this hot spot for 10+ years. Get your coffee fix, some snacks and set up on the edge of Budds Beach for the ultimate start to the day.

For you harder sips
Fancy a cocktail (or five)? Well you’ve come to the right place because Surfers is a cocktail connoisseur’s dream come true. After sunset – okay maybe before too – Surfers turns into a cocktail connoisseur’s playground.

Lulu Rooftop is the newest addition to the scene, serving up a funky art deco aesthetic alongside sophisticated sips.

Sports fan? Hit up The Sporting Globe to get all the sporting action live and loud or get ready to yeehaw and let loose at Cowboys, with a bucking bull taking pride of place the Americana vibes are vibing.

Okay party people, we hear you asking where to go get Gold Coast vibes going and it’s obviously got to be Cali Beach Club – it’s giving European inspired beach party so you’re guaranteed a good time. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it we say, so it’s no wonder locals keep going back for more at The Island Rooftop, an institution for good reason you can’t beat the open air and the huge beverage list never fails us.

For drinks with a view Surfers Pavilion has nailed casual waterfront meets ‘I don’t want to leave yet’ as it overlooks the canal so you can watch the boats drift by. Hinterland your preferred view? Well, The Exhibitionist Bar’s got them aplenty, actually they’ve got panoramic sight of the whole GC so take your pick. Back over on the beachside Coast Beach Bar are home to some of the best marg’s on the GC and even better views of the suburb’s namesake beach.

For casual eats
Sometimes you just want to keep it low-key and you know what, that doesn’t have to mean that the flavours are low-key too. You go-to for authentic Thai flavours has got to be Sura Thai, dine in to make the most of the cosy and authentic feel or grab your favourites to-go. Shiraz Persian Restaurant has become known as the Coast’s best Middle Eastern bites with aromatic Persian dishes like tender kebabs gracing the menu.

Don’t sleep on Velaa’s Asian fusion fare from classic poke bowls and new flavours like their signature Thai Milk Tea Parfait (uh, YUM) just waiting for you to discover.

We like big burgers and we cannot lie so Wahlburgers is a must-try for us, plus you might even sneak a peek at Mark Wahlburg when he’s in town next if you’re lucky!

Alright, this one is definitely loved by more than just locals, HOTA’s Markets are the ultimate hangout to ring in Sunday Funday, pick up all the local farm fresh produce and flowers your heard desires and then grab a bite (we’re looking at you, Mio Wraps) and a sweet treat for the road and thank us later.

For something a little bit fancy
Now’s the time to bust out your best fancy fit because Surfers has some pretty boujee spots up their sleeves.

Nestled beneath the HOTA Gallery, Palette proves that fine dining is back, baby! Treat yourself to the degustation for the full experience, with dishes and cocktails inspired by the each gallery exhibition you need to see it – or taste it – to believe it.

The buffet is always a winner at Citrique, but have you tried their a la carte? Take this as your sign to snag a seat and let the food come to you while you spoil yourself with the Chef’s Signature Bay Bug Dumplings (life-changing) or some chargrilled Australian Wagyu.

Elevated Thai is the word at Nahm Talay Thai, all your regular favourites but even better and cocktails that are just begging to be instagrammed – bonus point for the beach front views.

Let the good times roll
Surfers Paradise isn’t short on adrenaline or intrigue and it doesn’t matter if it’s your first or 50^th time visiting, they still pack the same punch in our humble opinion.

Scale SkyPoint for unbeatable views atop the Q1, chill out (literally) at the IceBar and get a moment to reflect at the Mirror Bar – see what we did there.

If you’d rather enter another dimension for a little while then Infinity is begging for you to explore their mysterious maze or drop into Other World HQ and escape the ordinary with mind-bending interactive games and escape rooms. Test your team work (and maybe patience) at Eclipse Escape Rooms and Fox in a Box, go on – put that big ol’ brain to work.

We’re partial to a trip down nostalgia lane so we’re always down to battle it out at Timezone, and when there’s fun for all ages on the menu how could you not! Feeling flighty? Take a literal leap of faith at iFly and get a taste of indoor skydiving before you brave the great outdoors.

Gosh all that exploring calls with some pampering to finish the day, but not without its quirks! Barefoot Fish have tanks full of fish – yep, real live fish – just waiting for you to dip in for a soak so they can get rid of any dry or dead skin and leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski

Bern Young is used to being the person doing the interview, but we’ve switched things up here and Inside Gold Coast is asking the questions! We’ve all heard her on our airwaves as an ABC Gold Coast radio presenter, now we delve a little deeper and find out what Bern loves about presenting, what a bout of long COVID taught her and where to get the best pastries on the Coast.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
12 years (this time) – I moved here with my partner and two, then very young, children in January 2011 but I also lived on the Gold Coast in the late 1990’s when I was a TV reporter for Channel 9 and 7.

What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
To be walking distance to the beach is amazing. I still pinch myself that I get to live in Burleigh, a place I spent so many summer days as a child. I love the growing cultural sector – the HOTA precinct is one of my favourite places. I love that there’s something for anyone and everyone – if you love fishing/boating or working in movies or hiking in pristine national parks or learning higher skills or seeing world class music acts or watching top athletes in AFL, NRL, swimming, surfing, netball and so much more, you can do it here. I do think there’s phenomenal pressure on the city as it continues to grow and I often reflect on how that will inevitably change the things I love, some for the better, some admittedly for the worse.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I love to chat! I’m the person who talks to random strangers on a bus or in a queue. I really do love hearing peoples’ stories. I know lots of people say this but I have a terrible memory for names/faces and before I go to any event I scroll through my phone where I keep notes for different parts of my life eg soccer parents, arts events, politics, etc – I do a quick revision on my way and (mostly) get away with it. I am immensely grateful to have two healthy children and a loving partner and I take care to nurture my family because they are by far the most important thing in my life. And while I am a person with drive and passion, I equally seek to attain and recognise contentment.

What’s the best thing about working on the radio?
I basically get paid to chat to people, which as I mentioned, I love! I’ve always been a curious person, even when I was a child, my Mum will tell you that if I had a school project, she’d find me on the carpet surrounded by encyclopedias researching way more than any teacher expected. I really enjoy delving into information and issues but I was never going to be the kind of journalist who became a foreign correspondent or political reporter, even though I do love a good accountability interview. I really enjoy the breadth of a radio show – from weather and traffic to music or city issues to slice of life. One of my pet subjects is local history because in many ways, radio interviews are like oral history records and some of my most important interviews have been capturing lived experience from times that would otherwise be undocumented. 

What has been the biggest career opportunity and/or challenge so far for you?
I had two paths that presented themselves at the same moment – I’ve sometimes called it my Robert Frost moment in reference to his poem, The Road Not Taken. At the end of 2019 I was asked to host Weekend Nightlife on ABC Radio. I had been lobbying for several years to have the chance to present a national program from a regional city and it would have been the first time this show had come from outside of Sydney or Melbourne.  When I turned it down I couldn’t even tell them why because unbeknownst to most, I was about to put my hand up to run for Division 13 in the 2020 local government elections. That campaign is by far the biggest challenge I’ve ever undertaken and it taught me many things. Crucially I discovered that while I’m dogged, I don’t have the mongrel quality politics seems to demand.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

What’s on the cards for the rest of 2023?
2023 is going to be so much better than 2022! After contracting COVID in early January last year, I ended up with Long COVID and it was heartbreaking to miss so much of the life I love. I had no energy to take my kids to sport or visit friends or bake cakes or sew or exercise or visit friends or even hold a conversation sometimes. I barely scraped through my job, only managing to work four hours a day, four days a week. This year I want to burst out of my Burleigh bubble. It’s too easy to stick to the things you know and love so I want to see places I either haven’t seen or don’t see often enough. Whether that’s the northern reaches of the cane fields around Cabbage Tree Point, the western outlook from Tamborine or the swimming holes and waterfalls of the hinterland. 

What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/coffee spot: Tarte at Burleigh Heads – everything is good but their baked goods are ridiculously delicious.
Restaurant: Rabbath’s Lebanese restaurant, also at Burleigh. There’s a pattern here isn’t there?! Patrick Rabbath is the ultimate host, matching drinks with the finest food. Highly recommended.
Bar or place for a drink: I’ve had some memorable nights at Stingray Bar at the QT. And then why not stay the night!
Beach: Oh wow, save the hardest question until last. We have so many amazing beaches – can I go Top 3? 3. Miami – It’s such an amazing expanse of sand with that open beach feel. 2. Burleigh Heads – The cove is wondrous. 1. Tallebudgera Creek – I’ve been swimming there since camping holidays when I was only 1 or 2 years old and my beautiful Mum calls it “God’s own creek”.

How do you choose to spend your days off? 
It’s funny having a weekend that’s Sunday/Monday because my second day off can easily become a day of family/life admin with appointments, etc so where possible I prioritise rest and relaxation for at least a few hours when the kids have gone to school and Fletch has gone to work. After being forced to rest for hours and days on end while suffering Long COVID, you might think I’d now run a mile (or walk!) to be active but instead I’ve come to value the importance of restorative rest. It’s impossible to explain to my “busy” friends but I wish they could learn the lesson without having to do it the hard way via illness.