This local legend has won the hearts of the community with her vibrant energy and irresistible charm. From reporting on the waves as a surf enthusiast to gracing our screens as a TV presenter Liz Cantor needs no introduction (but we’ll give her one anyway). You can see her on Creek to Coast, Weekender, Powerball and presenting weather for 7 News Gold Coast. You can also hear her beach and surf reports on 102.9 Hot Tomato. We chatted to the delightful Liz about why she loves her job and the Gold Coast.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
After finishing school I moved to the coast in 2001 (My family are from Noosa).

What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Hands down the lifestyle. I live for the outdoors and we have the best of it in every direction we turn. But also the people. It’s never lost on me that Gold Coasters hand out smiles so freely. In recent years I’m also loving the emergence of an arts and culture scene – from musicals to festivals!

Tell us a bit about yourself.
From 16 years I was a competitive surfer for Billabong which enabled me to travel the world. Following this I made history as the first ever female surf judge to sit on the World Tour panel. Judging the likes of Layne Beachley and Lisa Anderson. This forged the way for women to participate in determining the world’s best surfers today. After a whirlwind year in 2005 which saw me win Channel 7’s reality show ‘The Mole’, I became a familiar face on Network Seven. These days I present the weather on 7News. The national Live Powerball draws, and on lifestyle shows Creek to Coast and Weekender. In 2016 I got married to Ryan and now my greatest job is as mum to two boys Kit and Fin and daughter Sky, and my dog Bear Grylls. When I’m not working I’m surfing or horse riding!

How did you get started in journalism and what inspired you to become a news presenter and reporter?
Finishing school it was a toss up between studying Marine Biology or Journalism, but I chose the later as my need to share stories and information is hard to suppress! I come from a family of storytellers. My mum was an English teacher and my relatives include camera operators, sports reporters, teachers, writers, authors and journalists. I guess you could say it’s in my DNA! I finished a degree in Journalism at Griffith University here on the coast. I did work experience at all the networks for years, before getting a foot in the door with Channel 7 through my competitive surfing on show Creek to Coast in 2005. I did a course with the Bureau of Meteorology before moving across to weather presenting.

Can you share any memorable experiences or stories that have stood out to you during your time as a news presenter and reporter?
From a news perspective presenting weather during the 2011 Brisbane floods is etched in my mind. I will never forget the pictures and how much impact the information I was sharing had during that time. On Creek to Coast swimming alongside Humpback whales was unforgettable. On Weekender my first time visiting outback Queensland was life changing. Seeing towns such as Winton and the way they live out there opened my eyes to a whole other side of Australia. I loved it!

What do you love most about your job?
Interviewing people. Especially everyday people! I get such a kick out of being able to draw out information and stories from others and then share it! EVERYONE has something to tell if you ask the right questions.

What advice would you give to aspiring journalists who are looking to enter the field?
Be ready to be married to the job for a few years! It’s a hard industry to break into, but if there is no other job option for your soul, if you’re there with passion and love for what you do, you will make it with persistence and a humble ego.

What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/coffee spot: I love coffee from Liquid Things, Miami
Restaurant: Date night for Ryan and I is preferably at Piatto
Bar or place for a drink: A spicy margarita at The Tropic, Burleigh because of the ocean view!
Beach: Like asking me to choose my favourite child… but cough, Rainbow Bay

How do you choose to spend your days off?
If it’s a weekday and the kids are at kindy/school, I’ll be horse riding with my best mate Tegan in the Gold Coast Hinterland. If I have the family with me then we’re surfing or at the beach and in the ocean in some form! If it’s an overcast day – my boys have me at Pizzey Park!

The world of wine and the talks around it can sometimes come off as a little showy and confusing for the everyday Australian. Yet our admiration for this fermented grape juice remains unaffected; enjoying a slurp of Shiraz over the BBQ or a slosh of Chardonnay by the beach are, by far, still some of our favourite pastimes. And this is where the real opportunity lies —bridging the gap from incredible wine and the people who make it to our thirsty glasses whilst sidestepping any swanky behaviour along the way.

Taking this ideal and running with it full steam ahead is the Gold Coast’s newly opened SOMM Wine Store in Nobby Beach.

Husband and wife duo Joe and Natalie are the masterminds behind SOMM, and both extend from families with long Italian Heritage. Joe, in particular, has worked in wine distribution for just shy of two decades, and although he has extensively travelled throughout Europe tasting all of the delectable wines — as you do when one is in Europe — he still knows and appreciates the good producers and emerging styles we have right here in our very own backyard.

Stepping inside the sustainably built shop space, you’ll discover sophisticated and minimalistic styling punctuated by rows of perfectly lined and colourful wine labels presenting boundless opportunities to escort your tastebuds far, far away. Browse a while, and you’ll find your favourite grape varieties — but with the likelihood of seeing some winemakers and regions you aren’t familiar with. And this is where it gets fun.

SOMM offers you the chance to discuss your tastes with their in-store experts; somebody will always be on hand to give you the low down. Expect conversations including “this producer’s winemaking style is like…”, or “this region makes fantastic wine because of their prevailing weather.” Really, these are some of the best conversations if you ask us!

The team want you to leave the store with a bottle — or two — of something you are going to love, and whether it’s something you’re familiar with or never even heard of before, it doesn’t matter one inch. The emphasis is to proudly showcase family-owned Australian winemakers with distinct styles, wines that you will genuinely enjoy drinking.

You will, however, find an array of European classics weaved throughout, alongside new-age orange wines and Pétillant Naturel (AKA Pét-Nat’s). If you’ve longed to give one of these a go, a little something left of centre, then this is your very chance to do so. Albeit with some friendly advice and guidance thrown in for good measure.

Dynamic and welcoming, whether you’re popping in on a weeknight for a little something to accompany dinner or looking for some stellar wines to go alongside a large family lunch: SOMM will cater for all tastes.

And for those with a curious outlook, you’ll be pleased to learn from 4pm on Saturdays the guys will be holding weekly tastings, where they’ll discuss and give you the chance to taste a selection of wines. Possibly the best ‘try before you buy’ we’ve ever heard of!

Where: 2245 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach
When: Sunday – Tuesday, 10am — 7pm
Wednesday – Saturday, 10am — 9pm

Words by Alex Mitcheson.

She is a force to be reckoned with and she is the female voice behind Gold Coast’s number one radio Breakfast Show on 1029 Hot Tomato. Add to that, she is the newly appointed ‘Tanya’ in the upcoming Gold Coast production of MAMMA MIA! The Musical (produced by GC Local Matt Ward). Emily Jade O’Keeffe is a woman of many talents, so it was only fitting that we interviewed the Gold Coast sweetheart ahead of her taking to The Star Gold Coast’s stage from Saturday 19th June this year. We chat about her career, her loves of the Gold Coast and what it will be like preparing for her new role!

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I’ve lived here on and off for 18 years now, the last stint has been for the last 9 years.

Tell us a bit about your career to date.
I’ve been working in the media for the last 25 years. I started in Tasmania in radio and moved all around the country for work; from Tassie to Townsville and everywhere in between. My highlights have been launching 1029 Hot Tomato and having a number one Breakfast Show – Galey, Emily Jade and Christo – here for 7 years now. I also launched Nova in Brisbane and was No 1 for 4 years there. Earlier on, I was working on Mornings with Kerri-Anne and with Channel 9 for 5 years. I also wrote during that time for the Courier Mail for a number of years both in print and being one of their first bloggers (when blogging became a big thing) as ‘Emily Everywhere’ which became their most-read blog.

What career achievement are you most proud of?
I don’t have one I’m most proud of, I’ve been happy with every stage and what they all led to each time. My career has kept me busy and happy and fulfilled at every step. I feel really blessed to have been able to evolve and change and grab each opportunity as it came.

Growing up you performed in a variety of musicals and have been described as a self-confessed ‘drama nerd’, what initially drew you to the stage?
Both my grandfathers were performers. My grandad on my mum’s side was very musical and in bands and my grandad on my dad’s side was an amateur actor. That trickled down to both my Dad and Mum. I watched Dad act in local theatre and Mum play piano daily, so I was always around music and drama and I guess it was both nature and nurture in my family. I then continued the tradition but monetised it in the end by making it my full-time career.

What are you looking forward to most about your upcoming role as ‘Tanya’ in the Gold Coast production of MAMMA MIA! The Musical?
It’s come at a time where I needed some healing and fun after a marriage breakdown and as I get used to a new normal and new family dynamic, I really was searching for some light at the end of the tunnel. This gives me a chance to laugh and have fun with new amazing people and do what I love best, which is perform and make people smile.

What is your all-time favourite ABBA song and why?
That’s like asking who is your favourite child – I can’t answer that one. I love them all! ABBA Gold was the first CD I ever got. I got it for Christmas and if CDs could wear out, that one nearly did.

How much preparation goes into playing your part as ‘Tanya’?
I think Tanya is a lot like me, so some parts will come naturally, she’s cheeky, fun but loving and a fierce friend and that’s me. I just need to nail the dance moves and singing, rehearsals start soon so I’ll let you know.

What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café: Double Barrel Benowa
Coffee spot: Randy Warhol Southport
Restaurant: Kiyomi at The Star
Bar or pub for a drink: Nineteen at The Star

How do you choose to spend your weekends?
I just love keeping it low key with lots of family time with the kids, parents and friends of my kids which involve good cheese and wine in friends backyards or my backyard while the kids play in the pool or run around having adventures, while we chill and chat.

Mamma Mia! The Musical opens on Saturday 19th June 2021 at The Star Gold Coast, grab your tickets here.