The Secret Millionaire: Naomi Simson

Millionaire Naomi Simson is humbled in the face of the enormous strength and courage she discovers when she goes undercover in one of Queensland's most unlikely trouble spots.

Naomi Simson is the founder and CEO of Red Balloon, which has grown to become the leading online “experiential” gift retailer in Australia and New Zealand, with an annual turnover of more than $20 million. She lives in the Sydney suburb of Balmain with her husband Peter and their two children.

Naomi has worked hard for her achievements and believes that success is the reward for hard work. She keeps tight control over every aspect of her business. From her red car to her red office and her many red outfits, she lives her brand.

She leaves all this behind when she goes undercover to the Gold Coast. While for many the Gold Coast is known as the perfect holiday destination, Naomi doesn’t have to look far to see there are plenty of people in need in this south-eastern corner of Queensland.

The 139 Club is a homeless centre where Naomi is put to work cooking meals. She meets and connects with Judy, ill with cancer, whose life was put back on track by the centre and now works there as a volunteer.

Through the local newspaper Naomi discovers Surfing for the Disabled, which gives people with a range of disabilities the opportunity to enjoy the experience of surfing.

She is deeply affected by the Children’s Cancer Support Service, where she bonds with four-year-old Madison and her family.

For someone who believes in the power of experience, Naomi wrestles with how she can make a lasting difference in people’s lives.

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User comments
HI, I AM shirley, I worked at the club for nearly 2 years. A wonder full centre... I will be goin back to work there in a coupla weeks. I was there, before rods time, but met him on fri nite at the art show there, it was great.. Judy,, who was on secret millionaire, is my neice, cancer....Naomi has helped her soooo much, and its ongoing... ok , thought i would let you know. regards,,,shirl
Many years ago someone asked me what I wanted to be (for a job)- if it could be any job in the world. I answered Ä "Fairy Godmother" why, because I could wave my wand and fix all the things that needed fixing. Congrats Russell and the Millionaires for making me cry every week and waving a magic wand, that makes a huge big difference in the world of the people that you give money to AND ACTUALLY doing something to help fix the lives of these peeple. Its not until you have experienced or lived the life and challenges or shared in the life of the deserving people in the shows - that you really understand just how much - these gifts of money truely mean to them and the organisations that receive it as well. Some of us do understand and when I see the difference that the secret millionaires make - the beauty of it makes me cry with happiness. Thankyou muchly for a majorly beautiful uplifting program
i wish I could win the lotto just so I could help others to this extent...I hope there are more seasons of this show. I watched the UK version also....need big box of tissues each week. great work millionaires hope the learning of others stays with you forever! HOPE CHANNEL NINE DOES A FOLLOW UP IN SIX MONTHS OF ALL THE PEOPLE HELPED!
my wife and i love watching this show beacuse its real and it helps people and families who need help...the one thing that should be changed is at the end of the show where it tells you what everyone had done with the money there should be photos and or videos of before and after shots what they have done with the money....because its always good to see how this show has made a impact on these peoples lives....other than that its a great show keep it up channel nine!!!
This show is heart moving, shows that people do care. More people should follow what these millionares do, who take time out of their life and donate money. People who saying that they done give enough, should think about that they could give none, and are giving more then you have given, and for russle crow he is a great fellow aussie so stop bad mouthing him
There were many more people that I met during the filming that are not in the final program, a the Childhood Cancer Support unit there are many families suffering – all supported by the great work of the CCS. To give to just one family would have been very unfair in such a tight and supportive community. Maddy has lost a liver, a kidney, her hearing, she has not had a solid meal in 18 months. She has been the the ICU several times. All her parents want for her is a normal life. To have a first day at school. Quite frankly it never occurred to me to give a trip to Disneyland or toys. In communities of the homeless to give too much to an individual can be very divisive. Even the small amount I did give Judy caused problems for her. The TV show might have been about the cheque but for me it was about the difference I could make, the lessons learned and how I can use these for the overall betterment of society. for more detail about the Secret Millionaire outcome go to naomisimson.com
Absolutely rubbish, and sad sad sad, Please find some one else please, i am sure you have enough people with nice voice and not distracting voice like Russel Crow, get rid of Russel Crow and replace with some one else please i bet
The program is great! Presentation by Russel Crow is absolutely disaster, can't you get anyone else to present instead of him, can't undestand and hear clearly all of my friends said the same, till now because of that, we are not watching it anymore, big time looser. Get rid of him and we all will enjoy the show.
Love this show. It is very good. I typically dont like channel nine at the moment but this show is good, I just wish it would start on time and other shows not run over as I miss the end when taping it, even when I add an extra 10 minutes onto the record time. Is such a shame to miss the end of the show so Nine can get a few more adds into an hour. Is also not good that Nine doesnt have the episodes online to watch like other channels do nowadays!!
Your show is great the stories are sad but in the end you have brought relief in small ways how about giving x amount of people from your comments the opporunity of having a visit apond them I am quiet sure you would come across someone in need who has done it hard Namoi you did your best it cant be easy leaving your family to help another deserving family let the people know you all have compassion for your comments each week.

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