Revealed: 10 Geelong influentials under 30
The founder of Coastal Nectar wants to reduce people’s fear of bees and increase their appreciation of the pollinators. The 27-year-old is among 10 “young guns” under 30. SEE THE LIST.
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From artists to founders of small businesses, the Geelong region is home to many young movers and shakers.
Here’s 10 locals under the age of 30 who are excelling in their fields.
Mollie Vaughan
23-year-old Mollie Vaughan is the founder of Mollie Vaughan Studio, where she is an independent co-ordinator and consultant to artists and creative businesses in the Geelong region.
The Bellbrae resident said with a passion for community arts, two degrees behind her (BCA Photography and BCA Honours at Deakin University) and being a creative herself, being a creative is a “24/7 job”.
She said the first year of the Covid pandemic sprung her into action to make her studio a reality.
“During this time, I became involved in the Surf Cost Arts Trail as a local area co-ordinator and my eyes were opened to the importance of creativity in providing the fundamental structures that maintain community wellbeing,” she said.
“I watched many of my mentors and fellow creatives struggle as the pandemic highlighted the underlying fragility of the industry.
“This was what made me a passionate advocate for community arts and thus, Mollie Vaughan Studio was born.”
Ms Vaughan works with other creatives to provide them with the assistance and support they need to excel and maintain their practice within their industry.
In the long term, she said the aim is to expand her business by employing emerging creative practitioners, which will provide more opportunities for creatives in the region.
Follow her on Instragram @mollie.vaughan or via her website mollievaughanstudio.com
Makayla Maree
24-year-old Makayla Maree started her own business with her aunt, Nancy Romano, with the aim of creating “daring, fun and feminine” tights for Australian women.
The former Sacred Heart College, Geelong student drew inspiration for her business, Aviana the Label, from her time living in Italy.
“I always found the women there were always so confident with their fashion choices and wearing these incredible, patterned tights,” she said.
“They wear what they like and they own it.
“I was so inspired by that.
“I was in Milan when I bought my first pair and when I put them on I felt like a whole new person.”
The business was started in the middle of the Covid pandemic, but Ms Maree said it has exceeded expectations, and is now her full-time job.
“We never expected it to turn out like this, but the feedback and support we’ve had for what we’re doing has been amazing,” she said.
“I’ve always wanted a job where I feel like I have a real sense of purpose and I feel that with this job.”
Follow @avianathelabel on Instagram or shop at www.avianathelabel.com
Tim Harte
The 24-year-old, who is based in Gnarwarre, is an active change-maker in the Surf Coast community.
Mr Harte transformed a passion for ballet into a career that he loved, but at 19 years of age, developed a number of complex medical conditions which led to him having to give up his dancing dreams due to permanent disabilities.
He said despite hurdles of poor health, accessibility barriers, the social isolation experienced by young people with disabilities and the frustration of navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme, he has persevered to make a positive difference to his community.
“My experience of adversity informs and strengthens my determination to challenge intersectional marginalisation; facilitating sustainable change to realise an equitable and inclusive world,” Mr Harte said.
He advocates for societal equity and inclusion, with a focus on ensuring people with disabilities and young people have agency over decisions that impact their lives.
As a Board member and Risk and Finance Committee Co-Chair of Youth Affairs Council Victoria, Mr Harte supports this peak body representing young people in Victoria.
As Physical Disability Australia treasurer, director for Victoria and Youth Network committee member, Mr Harte supports the organisation to advocate for a more accessible and inclusive Australia.
In his professional area, Mr Harte contributes to making the chemistry sector in Australia more equitable, diverse and inclusive as a member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee.
Follow him at linkedin.com/in/tim-harte.
Thomas Earls
The 27-year-old founded Coastal Nectar, an environmentally responsible small business based in Jan Juc.
Mr Earls works with primary schools through his business, educating students through his ‘World of Bees’ school incursions.
So far in 2022, he has visited 36 primary schools around Victoria, presenting to more than 2000 students.
“I’m passionate about raising awareness of the importance of native bees and the European honey bee,” Mr Earls said.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to help children move through their fears of bees and to inspire more questions about the importance of these special pollinators.”
Mr Earls also works with about 500,000 honey bees at the business, producing raw honey for the community.
Bookings for the school incursion program can be made online at coastalnectar.com.au
To grab a jar of Coastal Nectar honey follow the official Instagram and Facebook pages for listings of suppliers.
Gemma Best
This 25-year-old lawyer has achieved success in the area of criminal law.
The Belmont resident has worked at prominent law firm, Geelong Lawyers, Barristers and Solicitors, since 2019.
Ms Best is a strong advocate for some of the most vulnerable people in the community through her work, and said she aspires to become a member of the judiciary.
“I am privileged to be able to assist clients dealing with stressful situations including the prospect of being imprisoned,” she said.
“I am passionate about working closely with clients and guiding them through the processes of the legal system.”
Gemma regularly appears in courts across Victoria, representing clients charged with Indictable and Summary Crime. She appears in Plea Hearings, Contested Bail Applications, Contest Mentions, Committal Mentions and Summary Jurisdiction Applications.
Gemma represents clients involved in Personal Safety Intervention Orders and Family Violence Intervention Orders.
In 2018 Gemma studied Criminal Procedure at the University of North Carolina.
Gemma holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Criminology from Deakin University.
Following graduation, Gemma completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law.
Gelbell
Best friends and Surf Coast residents Angelica Wootton and Bella Greene, loved painting together and decided to go into business to sell their artwork.
Gelbell, named as a reference to their friendship, has seen the 24-year-olds sell to celebrities, including The Block’s Elyse Knowles, and Renee Bargh.
The artwork showcased by the business often features both of the ladies’ brushstrokes.
“We usually have three to four paintings on the go at once,” Ms Wootton says.
“Bell is more rough and big and I’m more detailed and small – we even each other out.
“When one person gets stuck the other jumps in.
“We are very much on the same page and have the same way of thinking.”
Ms Wootton said the pair are always happy to see pieces sell, but are “sad to see them go”.
Ms Greene said: “At the end of the day it means we’re able to keep doing this and gives us the reassurance that someone likes it.”
Shop Gelbell art at artpharmacy.com.au/artists/gelbell and follow @gelbell on Instagram.
Abby Sleep
23-year-old Abby Sleep is a Geelong artist who recently opened her own art gallery and studio, right in the heart of Belmont.
Ms Sleep, who goes professionally by Abby Lee, had her first “vision” for the studio in November 2021.
“I was driving along the Great Ocean Road and saw a few galleries along the way,” she said.
“I was like ‘this kinda looks doable’.
“I did a little bit of investigating to see whether it was financially possible and I realised it was achievable so went ‘why not?’.
“It was basically a blank canvas, which is exactly what I wanted.”
Ms Sleep, along with assistant and fellow artist Lucy Allinson, wanted to create a space where other emerging artists in the region would feel welcome to display their work.
There are already 18 artists on display at the gallery, which opened on April 8.
Ms Sleep’s gallery, Verandah, is located on High St, Belmont.
Zoe Strapp
This 28-year-old is a photographer who uses her business, Zoe Strapp Photography, to support social and environmental issues she’s passionate about.
Ms Strapp is involved with Surfers for Climate – a sea-roots movement dedicated to positive climate action – and recently introduced car park cinema events on the Surf Coast.
Ms Strapp devised the idea of a ‘creative change’ outdoor film night in Anglesea, and was then invited to be event manager for Surfers for Climate’s outdoor cinema series.
“Photography is my personal and professional passion, as a Lifestyle, Fashion and Surf Photographer, there is nothing I relish more than bringing to life a client’s vision through organic and innovative work, that will stay with them forever,” she says on her website.
“Driven by an adoration for the natural environment, I look to connect with sustainable and ethically minded brands and individuals, to help shape this changing world through inspiring others with what I create.”
She has a Bachelor of Environmental Science & Conservation from Deakin University, and a Post Graduate in Marketing & Communication from RMIT.
Follow her at zoestrapp.com
Cale and Finn
These two friends from Torquay wanted to do something “unique and different” for the community.
The pair then launched their podcast, The Cale and Finny Chat, towards the end of high school.
“We posted our first podcast episode not expecting much but surpassed our expectations,” they said.
“Our peers loved the content and with the help from the Surf Coast Youth Team, it inspired us to continue on our journey making more podcast episodes and also making challenge videos with our own little twists.”
Their podcast includes discussions of current event, funny experiences, and taste tests of foreign foods.
The pair have seen their content reach thousands of people, with some clips clocking more than 40,000 views.
“Our hobby turned into something we didn’t expect,” they said.
Cale and Finn have acted as MC at events including the Surf Coast Youth Awards and the Aireys Inlet Open Mic Festival, and have started their own merchandise line.
Alex Rawson
Surf Coast resident Alex Rawson, along with partner Sarah, started seafood business The Fishmonger Torquay.
The business focuses on providing ethically sourced, quality, local seafood, and was started in response to a gap they saw in the market of the area.
The pair have a combined 22 years of working and living at sea, and said they are dedicated to providing fresh produce to the region.
The Fishmonger Torquay is located at 9/4-6 Gilbert St.
Follow The Fishmonger Torquay on Facebook and Instagram @the_fishmonger_torquay.
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