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Regina King gives the lowdown on who'll fly high in the coming 12 months
THE Gold Coast is unique on many fronts.
Forty years ago the population of our city was a mere 40,000. Today it boasts a permanent population of more than 450,000 and its extraordinary growth continues unchecked with thousands of new residents arriving each year.
It is one of only three cities in the world to experience such sustained growth since the end of World War II.
And the population surge shows no sign of abating.
This fact is often missed by uninformed critics who focus on obvious social problems that pop up as a symptom of a greater malaise. They may as well berate a gangly teenager for outgrowing his clothes - it's simply an offshoot of rapid growth.
To borrow from a Frank Sinatra standard `If you can make it there you can make it anywhere . . .'
With so many new arrivals, competition to succeed is fierce, and those who make the grade and survive can be rightly proud of their achievements.
So to be recognised as one of this city's movers and shakers means you have passed the test as someone this city respects to light the way for the future.
SOHEIL ABEDIAN
AS joint managing director and founder of Sunland Group, his drive and vision have helped this company leap to the forefront of the construction industry.
Projects such as Palazzo Versace, the world's first Versace hotel; Q1, the world's tallest residential tower; and Circle on Cavill, soon to be the Gold Coast number one shopping and dining precinct, garner world-wide attention
for the Coast because they are unique on a global scale.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Soheil and Sunland have embarked on an aggressive growth phase with projects mooted up and down the east coast of Australia.
On top of that, he is about to begin residential and hotel developments in Dubai.
His recent engagement to long-time sweetheart, friend and Sunland general manager, Anne Jamieson, is sure to enhance what is already shaping up to be a stellar year.
RON CLARKE
Mayor of the Gold Coast and world class athlete
WHETHER or not he understood exactly what he was letting himself...