Port Lincoln’s most powerful and influential people, see who made the list
They play a role in shaping our everyday lives – whether in political arenas, on sporting fields or property development. But who are they? See the full list of Port Lincoln’s most influential people.
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From tuna fishermen to TV personalities, former policemen and wine makers, there are a range of people who have helped shape Port Lincoln into the booming city that it is today.
To help you uncover who they are, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 most influential and powerful in the seafood city on the Eyre Peninsula.
HAGEN STEHR
Hagen Stehr is one of the men who was at the forefront of the creating multimillion-dollar tuna industry that is today.
The Stehr Group fishes southern bluefin tuna, Australian yellowtail kingfish and Australian mulloway through Dr Stehr’s other business, Clean Seas Aquaculture Growout Pty. Ltd.
But it doesn’t stop there, Dr Stehr is an officer in the Order of Australia and an Honorary Doctor of the University of the Sunshine Coast in recognition of his internationally significant contribution to a sustainable fishing industry.
Stehr was also awarded the Centenary Medal of Australia for his service to the fishing industry.
In 2014, Dr Stehr participated in a trade delegation to China with former Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott, as an ambassador for the seafood industry.
The Stehr Group is a family owned company spanning three generations with Dr Stehr’s son Marcus working as the managing director.
TONY SANTIC
Another Pioneer in Australia’s Tuna Industry, Tony Santic established Tony’s Tuna International in 1994 and is now the second largest southern bluefin tuna ranch in Australia.
With his fishing career on a steady course, Mr Santic decided to pursue his interest in horse racing.
Mr Santic purchased a thoroughbred racehorse, later named Makybe Diva and went on to win three Melbourne cups and a Cox Plate, finishing with winnings of more than $14 million.
A statue of the famous horse can be found along the Port Lincoln foreshore.
PETER TEAKLE
After taking over his grandfather’s wine labelling printing business, which had 34 manufacturing plants in 10 countries, employing 3500 people, Mr Teakle has become a passionate supporter of the Eyre Peninsula and has spent a rumoured $6 million in and around the coastal city.
With years of experience managing a vineyard on Akuna Station in the Riverland and a generational passion for the wine industry, Mr Teakle purchased the former Delacolline Winery Estate in 2016 before launching Peter Teakle Wines.
It’s also very likely you’ll see Mr Teakle’s infamous hat before him, sporting emu feathers to honour Australian Light horsemen.
THE SARINS
It would be unjust to not think of the late Sam Sarin and his family whenever the town of Port Lincoln is mentioned.
Instrumental to the development of the southern bluefin tuna industry and property development throughout the town, Mr Sarin’s legacy lives on following his death three months ago.
Described as the “undisputed king of the Port Lincoln tuna-farming industry” back in 2002, the Croatian-born migrant’s Australian Fishing Enterprise business, founded in 1987, is responsible for half of the catch quota for southern bluefin tuna in Australia.
Mr Sarin, along with his company, the Sarin Group, also operated the Port Lincoln Slipway and Sarin Property Group, which includes the Port Lincoln Hotel, supermarkets, commercial properties and the Port Lincoln Tourist Park.
Mr Sarin was also instrumental in the development of the Lincoln Cove Marina.
A loyal man to Port Lincoln, the Sarin Group remains one of Port Lincoln’s largest employers with 300 staff. It is now run by his son, David, who is becoming as influential as his father.
Mr Sarin was named a Member of the Order of Australia last year, for his significant service to the fishing industry, to business and to the community of Port Lincoln.
Anyone that knows Port Lincoln would unequivocally say, this was his town.
LUKINA LUKIN
Taking the reins from her late husband Dinko, Ms Lukin is a force to be reckoned with as one of the faces changing the tuna industry for the better.
The Thai-born woman was on a teacher exchange when she met her late husband and began working for Dinko Tuna in 1997.
When Mr Lukin passed away in 2011, Ms Lukin promised to keep his business alive, and for the last nine years she has done exactly that.
Clearing the company’s multimillion-dollar debt, Ms Lukin now has her sights to sell into the domestic market, with bluefin tuna on the menu in restaurants and even on supermarket shelves across Australia.
BRAD FLAHERTY
Port Lincoln’s current Mayor, Brad Flaherty certainly knows a thing or two about the Eyre Peninsula.
Boasting an impressive resume as a retired Major in the Army Reserves, Superintendent for the South Australia Police and the current Range Operations Manager for Southern launch Space Pty Ltd.
In an 18 month period from 2017, Mr Flaherty was able to rack in over $8 million in grants to go towards various projects across the Eyre Peninsula.
Since being elected as Mayor back in 2018, Mr Flaherty has used his extensive business brain, to expand Port Lincoln’s developments to ensure sustainability in its services.
BRIAN JEFFRIESS
As the chief executive of the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna Industry Association, Brian Jeffriess provides the industry with a great insight into industries that span across Australia’s cold temperature ocean to the tropical north.
With an economics degree and previous experience in business management and as a chief political adviser, he brings a sound understanding of political and economic dynamics to ASBITA as well as being a committed board member across multiple fishery commissions.
A man of many accolades, Mr Jeffriess has been awarded both State and National Seafood Icon status as well as an Order of Australia, in recognition of his service to the fishing and aquaculture industries.
EMMA FORSTER
Another tourism heavyweight, Emma Forster is the director of major tourist attraction Swim with the Tuna, television presenter and adviser for Oceanic Victor.
Ms Foster co-hosted the South Australian television series Out of the Blue with fishmonger Michael Angelakis and Michael Keelan, which promoted the local seafood industry through a whopping 197 broadcasted episodes.
Ms Forster has also developed many properties throughout Port Lincoln and is the daughter of Port Lincoln fisherman Ron Forster who founded the local tuna fishing competition, originally known as “The Shootout” and was involved in the development of the Lincoln Cove marina back in the 1990s.
The Family purchased the Calypso Star Charters back in 2006 which offers both shark cage diving and swimming with Australian sea-lions.
RODNEY FOX
If you grew up on the Eyre Peninsula, then there is a fair chance one of your first independent projects through primary school revolved around Mr Fox’s story.
After being savagely attacked by a Great White shark in a spear fishing competition off Aldinga Beach in 1963, Mr Fox became fascinated by the kings of the sea redefining the public perception of great whites.
After a trip to the Adelaide Zoo, Mr Fox invented the Shark Cage and along with Valerie Taylor, were the first to capture underwater footage of a Great White Shark, leading the duo to provide all the ‘real’ footage in cult classic JAWS.
Mr Fox’s son, Andrew, also developed a deep love for the ocean thanks to his father.
The duo are now world renowned shark experts who are keen to pass on their expertise to the next generation through their shark diving tours.
MATT WALLER
Another shark-lover, Matt Waller, helped certify Port Lincoln’s place on the map after starting the multi award-winning, Adventure Bay Charters back in 2007, which has quickly developed it into one of South Australia’s leading tourism businesses.
As a fourth generation fisherman, it is clear Mr Waller brings his passion for the ocean to adventure experience, allowing his customers to interact with the marine life, in an educational and entertaining way.
Outside of his role with Adventure Bay Charters, Mr Whaller lends his time to both the Eyre Peninsula and Port Lincoln tourism committee, providing advice and support on building local tourism capabilities.