The youngest members of the Cassowary Coast making moves
They’re the next generation to watch out for on the Cassowary Coast. The Carins Post has compiled a list of 30 change-makers under 30 from rising NRL stars, wellness coaches and business people. SEE WHO MADE THE LIST
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THEY’RE the achievers making moves on the Cassowary Coast and creating a name for themselves in a wide range of fields.
From entrepreneurs to volunteers and aerialists, we’ve found 30 individuals under 30 years old making a standout difference on the Cassowary Coast.
DANIEL PONTIL
Young Citizen of the Year 2020
Having worked as a lifeguard at local pools and volunteering as a lifesaving member on weekends, Daniel made his mark in the community while putting his sportsmanship in swimming to good use. He was recognised by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council in 2020 and awarded Young Citizen of the Year.
SASHA-MAY FLEGLER
Rising sportsperson
Sasha-May’s involvement in local sport has seen her highly commended both within the community and further. She has represented the Cassowary Coast for multiple regional and state level sporting events, such as softball, touch football, tennis and athletics.
Her dedication to her sporting community moves beyond being a star player, with Sasha-May also coaching, umpiring and refereeing netball and touch competitions in Tully.
MAYA THRELFALL
Young beef cattle parader
Rising through the agriculture community of Tully, Maya started her career in show parading at the age of 14 when she joined Tully High School’s Cattle Show Team.
Since then, Maya has represented North Queensland at the Ekka, and placed third in the Cairns Show Young Rural Ambassador competition of 2020. Maya is a finalist for the Royal Easter Show in Sydney starting April 8 and will part of the parading competition.
AIMEE SHEAHAN, TOM FERGUSON AND BRENT SECKINGTON
Youth workers
Aimee Sheahan, Tom Ferguson and Brent Seckington are three young people that came together to fill a hole in their community. These three qualified teachers and teacher’s aides are co-founders of a youth group in Cardwell.
The trio went to the local council to organise the group after identifying a need in the community to provide a safe space for kids. Currently, they are working together to repurpose old bikes for the nearly 30 kids that attend the monthly youth group.
A notable member of the community, Lori was a volunteer lifesaver at Etty Bay Surf Life Saving Club where she acted a senior mentor to junior members. Using her passion for the water, she also worked as a swim instructor at Innisfail Memorial Baths for two years, teaching young members of the Cassowary Coast water safety and skills.
Lori has since moved to the Gold Coast and is studying global sustainability at Bond University.
ELIZA COOK
Young artist
Eliza is a skilled young artist and musician who has represented the Cassowary Coast proudly both locally and internationally. A singer in a school band and a violinist of many years, her music has seen Eliza perform at Undara Larva Tubes and the Yungaburra folk festival.
Eliza was also the only Australian representative in an annual international youth art contest hosted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and was one of 13 grand finalists from more than 50 countries. She was awarded the Young Cultural Award at this year’s local Australia Day ceremony.
A sporting force of the community, Brooke has been rewarded for her hard work more times than we can count. Acting as Tully High School Sports Captain for 2021, she also played in the Queensland State Schools under-18 merit team.
Brooke’s NRL career is rapidly taking off with the young star having already represented Northern Pride under-19s, Cairns Kangaroo’s Rugby League, First Nations Gem team, and attending the Cowboys Woman’s Rugby League training Academy.
STELLA BERGE
Young citizen of the year 2022
An active member of the community, Stella was recognised by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council for her efforts in volunteering locally and was awarded the Young Citizen of the Year award for 2022. Heavily involved in netball, Stella is a volunteer umpire for junior and senior games and actively takes part in the sport too.
She is also an umpire for touch football games and a member of the Mission Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. Her dedication to community and providing opportunity for others has landed her on this list.
KIRSTEN WHITE
Small business owner
Launching her business, Seven Seas Swim four years ago, Kirsten is making a name for herself in the fashion of the Great Barrier Reef: bikinis. Her line of sustainable swimwear was launched in 2017, with Kirsten hand making each piece and organising her own promo shoots as she chugs along with her one woman show.
FLYNN ROWE
Youth paddler of the year 2021
A consistent member of the Mission Beach Outrigger Canoe Club, Flynn Rowe has competed in many regattas and is recognised for the sport at regional and national levels. In 2019, he joined the Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association’s under-19 men’s rep team. Flynn was also awarded the Youth Paddler of the Year award for 2021 by AOCRA North Queensland.
Rising through NRL ranks, Thomas Flegler started his career at the Tully Tigers and also played for the Northern Pride squad teams. Making his NRL debut in 2019 as a Brisbane Bronco, Thomas was most notably named for the Queensland Maroons State of Origin team in 2021.
KITANNA GEIGER
Aerialist
Kitanna is an aerialist from the Cassowary Coast with dreams of running away and joining the circus. Starting her journey in the art at the age of 15, she now teaches at Sundance Studio in Mission Beach while saving money to audition for the National Institute of Circus Arts in Melbourne.
TOSHANDAI FEJO
Artist
Toshandai is a young artist from Innisfail whose business in commissioned art has taken off since it first opened this year. Taking inspiration from her Mamu people. her country and the connection and knowledge she has to her ancestors, Toshandai’s artist name Bulurru Yibi means Dreamtime Woman. She hopes to hold an exhibition of her work in Innisfail later this year.
CHLOE OTTONE
Volunteer
Chloe Ottone has been an SES volunteer for eight years, first getting involved with the service through her dad. Trained as a flood boat operator and for deployments, the local said her passion for the SES stems from getting out there and making sure the community is safe.
KENT NIELSEN
Powerlifter
Kent Nielsen is training as an amateur strongman and youth powerlifter. Smashing records, he’s been travelling North Queensland for meets and competitions including the Cairns Strength Squad’s Dead lift Championships.
EZRA MATTHEWS
Youth worker
Hosting the Tully Youth group every Friday night, Ezra Matthews engages high school kids through Christianity. Tully Family Church provides a place for Ezra to connect with the students and create a safe space.
CHLOE COLLINS
Real estate agent
The talented 24-year-old real estate agent opened her own agency Raine and Horne in early 2020 at Innisfail. From a single operation she now works in a team of three and is quickly gaining a reputable track record in property sales with the help of new business partner Michael Skuse. Ms Collins is also a member of the Cassowary Coast BNI and was described as caring and ambitious.
The Cairns-born dentist joined My Family Dental at Innisfail in 2018 and quickly became one of the town’s most popular clinicians. However, his love of sport is what truly makes him a community man, having played for Innisfail United Football Club and captained the A Grade cricket side for Cassowary Coast Cyclones – where he plays a crucial role in bringing the local Indian community’s talent to the competitive stage.
BRI ARIGATOU
Wellness coach
Bri’s personality oozes laid-back and in tune with herself. A self-confessed lover of everything beaches and nature, Bri is using her spirituality to help others as a health and wellness coach. Currently training as a sexuality and relationship specialist, Bri hosts women’s circles every week at Sundance Studio, offering the women of the Cassowary Coast a space of support and guidance.
At just 17, there isn’t much Good Counsel College school captain Tom Herbert hasn’t already achieved. Considered an academic genius by his peers, the part-time pizza restaurant worker is an ace in the sporting arena too. Tom has consistently shone for Cassowary Coast Cyclones A Grade and this season will be looking for a starting role in the Innisfail United Premier Men’s squad.
LUKE MAGNANINI
Footballer
The Innisfail State College student has a bright future ahead of him after recently winning gold at the Melbourne International Judo championships. The talented athlete also plays in two of the most influential positions in his U18s Innisfail Leprechauns footy team – lining up in the halves or at hooker.
Luke has been with the club since a junior and is known to lead by his actions and is regarded as being “very well spoken” by his coaches and a good role model.
ASHTON GALEA
Footballer
With two older brothers toughening him up in backyard footy as a kid, Ashton Galea is now a young star of the Innisfail Leprechauns A Grade side, as he enters his second year in the top team. The FIFO worker won’t be available for every game, but is expected to line up alongside older brother Chris Galea on Saturday. His coaches praise is work rate and effort, especially as he overcome multiple injuries early in his career.
CAITLIN BONASSI
Accountant
Caitlin Bonassi made the move to Innisfail a few years back after working as an accountant at Ingham. She wanted to look for a new career in her new town, but her firm Cosca asked her to stick out and see how she goes “getting some business in Innisfail”.
Quickly, Ms Bonassi began attracting clients and it led to Cosca deciding to open a new office in Innisfail, where Ms Bonassi now leads a team of four and is known for her ability to understand her peers and motivate them. Ms Bonassi also has a long history with BNI organisations.
JACOB VECCHIO
Schoolteacher
Jacob Vecchio has shown what it means to be proud of your town. The Good Counsel College school teacher was once a student at the very school he now works at, and is one of the most popular local athletes. With a long junior history of local sport including cricket, soccer and school sports, upon returning to town and local clubs, Mr Vecchio’s passion for his team and his enthusiasm in motivating his peers is unrivalled.
KARLA CALLEJA
Local dancer
Dancing from the age of two, Karla Calleja is a recognised dancer of the Cassowary Coast community. Travelling for regional competitions in Innisfail, Cairns, Townsville, Ayr and Charters Towers, she has a long list of titles including age champion, most versatile and was crowned most promising dancer of the Cassowary Coast.
Born and raised in Tully, Jake Clifford is a star of the Cassowary Coast. Starting his junior career in the Tully Tigers, he moved his way up the ranks of the Northern Pride before eventually playing for the North Queensland Cowboys. Clifford now represents the Far North while playing for the Newcastle Knights on a two-year contract.
JACK SCHMIDT
Photographer
Jack Schmidt has grown up on the Cassowary Coast and now uses the region’s beautiful scenery in a majority of his photography. Originally from Cardwell, the photographer has built a following on Instagram with incredible shots, including the use of drones.
KARA ARNOLD
General practitioner
Born and bred in Innisfail, Kara Arnold is a former Good Counsel College school captain before moving to Melbourne to study medicine. Since beginning her career as a doctor, she’s gained experience in both the public and private sector and is now back in her home town, as one of the few young general practitioners in the region.
Ms Arnold practices at the Innisfail and Tully Medical Centers and is passionate about rural health, and building the country’s challenged rural health workforce.
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