Bundaberg’s rising stars under 30 revealed
From agricultural leaders to business owners, bull riders and drag queens – here are 30 of Bundaberg’s young gun men and women and how they’re making their mark. Vote in our poll.
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From union representatives and athletes to small businesses owners and political advisers, Bundaberg has a multitude of talented and inspirational young people.
With a drive for success and a mind for business these Bundaberg young guns are making their mark on the region and beyond.
The Newsmail has listed 30 talented residents under 30 who are using their influence to succeed.
Don’t forget to vote for who you think is the most successful rising star in our poll below.
Here is our list, in no particular order:
Ariah Goodluck, 24
Ergon Energy fault response crew electrician Ariah Goodluck is succeeding in the male-dominated workforce while standing up for workplace safety and rights.
Miss Goodluck completed work experience during high school which allowed her to step into an apprenticeship after graduation.
She said she also joined the Electrical Trades Union, where she is now a youth committee member, after poor training with a previous employer left her worried for hers and her colleagues’ safety.
“The values of unionism are really important to me … we ended up getting better training through those negotiations,” she said.
She has won multiple awards including National Electrical Apprentice of the year and the Anna Stewart Memorial Award.
Phillip Nicolson, 23
At just 23, Phillip Nicholson is the youngest person to hold a management role at Bundaberg Sugar.
Mr Nicolson joined Bundaberg Sugar about two years ago, and has already taken on the second in charge position at their Fairymead Farm location.
“I oversee 5000ha of land, and eight staff members for maintenance and staffing,” he said.
He said Bundaberg Sugar was supportive of his career progression.
Maddison Devine, 22
Maddison Devine has made herself a recognisable face through her thriving jewellery business Jelly Bean Jane and Co.
What started as a childhood hobby in her grandmas craft closet, Jelly Bean Jane and Co. is now one of the premier handmade jewellery businesses in Bundaberg.
“I was about 18 at the time, I’ve always had a knack for the online content side of things,” she said.
In 2022 she took the leap and committed herself to Jelly Bean Jane and Co. full time and she now has over 2000 followers on Instagram, collections released monthly and a retail presence in bespoke boutique stores across Queensland.
Miss Devines said she was keen to grow the Cocktails and Clay workshops she hosts which gives people the chance to design their own earrings.
Clay and Play Parties will also soon be launched for children and adult functions.
Ky Woods, 19
Three-time Australian Surf Life Saving Champion Lifesaver Ky Woods has been patrolling the region’s beaches since he was 14.
After following his dad into surf life saving at the age of 6, Mr Woods has made a name for himself at competitions against lifeguards from around Australia.
Mr Woods is also a patrol captain where he leads lifeguards on patrol and is often the first port of call in an emergency.
“If there’s an incident or problem that goes on, I’m the one that takes control and makes sure everything works out okay,” he said.
Kate McFarlane, 16
Kate McFarlane had her first taste of golf at the age of six after following her older brothers onto the greens.
Now at 16 Miss McFarlane has a several titles under her belt including her win at the Invincible IGA Junior Masters in 2022.
She has also represented Queensland and Australia, including during tours through Singapore.
Miss McFarlane hopes to take her sporting career to the main stage as a professional golfer.
“Starting from a young age really helped set me up for my success now,” she said.
Teisha Russell, 23
Teisha Russell is one of the hard workers begin the scenes on the regions political canvas.
Miss Russell is studying in her final year of a Bachelor of Justice (majoring in Policy & Politics Major) while working for one of Bundaberg’s local members, where she is managing finances, state conferences and talking to constituents.
“I love talking to people, and being able to help people with the issues that they have,” she said.
In 2015 she founded the Bundaberg Region Youth Council, which included projects to address youth unemployment in the region.
In 2015 she also won the YMCA QYP Youth Member for Bundaberg and backed it up for the Burnett in 2017.
She is also the proud winner of the 2022 Queensland University of Technology Environmental Justice Writing prize for her essay analysing the environmental impact of the coal industry on Australia.
Chloe Johnson, 25
Chloe Johnson is a young woman who wears many hats, as owner of Willow and Hide, president of the Isis Show Society and facilitator for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program.
Her handmade clutch business has grown a loyal following.
“It all happened very organically … finding something for myself to do creatively, led to interest from friends and family,” she said.
She now runs the business full time, and travels across outback Australia offering workshops for rural women to experience making their own clutches.
She also runs regional events as part of her role at the show society.
“I thought to myself ‘Childers can’t not have a show’ so I went along to a meeting and walked out as president,” she said.
Kate Taylor, 25
Emerging artist Kate Taylor has turned her childhood hobbies into an impressive business.
“I was the kid in class who doodled in the corner of my page,” she said.
The Black Kat Media owner offers photography services, handmade upcycled jewellery and evocative artwork.
As one of 45 local artists selected for Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery Here and Now exhibit, visitors may have come across her work “Uterus.”
“Uterus,” like most of Ms Johnson's works is a commentary on modern society and women’s rights.
Black Kat Media is already a firm photography presence in Bundaberg, as the content photographer for the Bundaberg Book Boutique, a bespoke local bookshop.
Ms Johnson hopes to continue building Black Kat Media, and expanding her artistic presence.
Joel Muller, 21
Joel Muller is the leading mechanical engineer graduate at Bundaberg Sugar’s Millaquin Mill.
After work experience led to an employment opportunity with Bundaberg Sugar, Mr Muller jumped at the chance.
Mr Muller oversees staff and works to maintain the many moving parts of the Mill which processes more than 200,000 tonnes of raw sugars every year.
He said his youth and his experience allow him to bring a fresh mindset to the job.
Angeline Lowther, 29
Angeline Lowther joined the NewsMail team in November last year and is channelling her passion for the Bundaberg region to tell stories that matter and exposing issues that affect the region.
She has a keen interest in investigative journalism, creating the #EndExploitation campaign to help expose poor treatment of Pacific Islander farm workers in Australia and providing in-depth coverage of Bundaberg Regional Council and its controversial Bundaberg Now news outlet.
She has brought a wealth of knowledge to the Bundaberg Cricket Association in her position as secretary too.
After studying journalism and public relations at the University of Queensland she completed an internship with Queensland Cricket.
Miss Lowther wrote match reports for a number of outlets, including Queensland Cricket’s Premier Grade competition and frequently presented sport on community radio.
Her eye for the sport led her to being selected to sit on two Queensland Cricket executive committees including the Warehouse Cricket Association Queensland and Australian Cricket Society Queensland.
Chern’ee Sutton, 25
Contemporary Aboriginal artist and a proud Kalkadoon woman, Chern’ee Sutton is one of Bundaberg’s most successful exports.
Miss Sutton has works on display at Parliament House and designed jerseys for indigenous rounds of the NRL, FIFA, AFL, Tennis Australia and Cricket Australia.
She has also worked with the Commonwealth Games, the Royal Australian Mint and Australian Defence Force.
“I never would have dreamt when I first started painting that I would be where I am today or that I would have the once in a lifetime experiences which I have been lucky enough to be a part of,” she said.
Miss Sutton is also a recipient of dozens of awards.
Brooke Sutton, 18
It’s clear the Sutton family has a strong creative streak with Chern’ee’s younger sister Brooke Sutton having her work showcased across the country.
Miss Sutton has had collaborations with companies like Spencil, T2 and Nestlé and Carlton football club.
She said the best piece of advice she received was from her older sister.
“She told me that if art was what I wanted to do, then I had to work hard to achieve my dreams and be passionate about everything that I do,” she said.
“Both Chern‘ee and I love giving back to community in any way we can. We love supporting all of the events that the local mobs hold and helping out.”
Emi Carlson, 15
A family love affair with the rodeo and horses built a passion for the sport in young Emi Carlson.
Miss Carlson is one of Queensland’s best barrel racing competitors and has represented Australia five times.
“Rodeo is a sport I have been passionate about for quite some time,” she said.
Now she is making a name for herself in breakaway roping and has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 2022 championship event.
Clayton Carlson, 18
Much like his younger sister Emi, Clayton Carlson followed family into the rodeo world after watching his Dad bull ride as a youngster.
Mr Carlson is one of Australia’s rising bull riders, with multiple international wins.
In 2018 he won the Australian High School Rodeo Bull Riding Championship, and is a two-time Professional Bull Riders Rising Star Champion.
Mr Carlson is on a two-year scholarship with Odessa College in Texas, USA, with hopes to make it to the professional leagues.
Jaime Straker, 24
Jamie Straker is the owner of high-end boutique La Sirena at Bourbong St which offers women’s clothing, jewellery and accessories.
With more 7000 Instagram followers and an international client base, Miss Straker and La Sirena has become one of the standout small businesses in the region.
She works closely with the brand Spell and uses local spaces to promote her content through photography and social networking.
“Eventually, I would like to start my own label,” she said.
“I’d also like to keep the business growing organically and with my family.”
Miss Straker said it was the support of her partner and her family that kept her going and she credits a lot of her success to them.
Kyle Schneider, 24
Many people know Kyle Schneider as Karda-nay, the region’s premier drag queen.
As a lifelong performer, Mr Schneider said it was his love for the art of drag and the mystery that comes with it that brought Karda-nay into the light, and now he is selling out events as a bright, funny and bold personality.
Mr Schneider has an eye for what makes a perfect performance through his role as lighting technician for the Moncrieff Theatre.
He has also spent years entertaining crowds through his time at the Playhouse Theatre.
“It’s not always about the numbers and sold out shows,” he said.
“It’s about knowing people are having the best time with you, it’s about how they feel.”
Stella Hutchins, 23
Rising musical talent and Shalom College teacher Stella Hutchins recently released an original single after her involvement in mentorship program Big Sky Girls.
“I heard about Big Sky Girls and thought it sounded like the perfect opportunity to develop as a musician and songwriter,” she said.
Through collaboration with a range of industry professionals and female singer songwriters from across Australia, Miss Hutchins found herself writing an entire collection of original music.
Coco Suosaari, 15
Coco Suosaari has been dancing for most of her life, and said even as young as two years old she was dancing along to the music playing on the radio.
The national and international championship winning dancer ‘s talent has allowed her to travel overseas including taking part at the Kairos Dance Convention in New Zealand with some of the best choreographers in the industry.
She now plans on using all of these skills to further her career as she studies dance and teaching management.
“In the future, I would love to travel more of the world with dance and share with everyone the joys of this art form,” she said.
Miss Suosaari said it was the support of her family which helped build her into the dancer she is today.
Rachel McAullay, 26.
A born and bred Bundaberg local Rachel McAullay is using her experience and know-how to help guide her family business Macadamia’s Australia into the future.
The business started as a small crops farm and is now a crown jewel in the region’s tourism and agricultural sectors.
However, no one can accuse young Mrs McAullay of nepotism as it’s clear she knew from the start she needed to prove herself as an asset before joining the nationally-regarded company.
After graduating from high school Mrs McAullay moved to Brisbane where she obtained her Bachelor's in Business and Commerce and she quickly put her education to work for PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Now, she puts all those skills to work as strategic business development manager, and works alongside her mother who is one of the company directors.
“I’m really inspired by everything they have done and I hope the next generation including myself and my cousins can do them proud,” she said.
Ashlee McLean, 13
Ashlee McLean is a rising star in the region’s netball world, a player for both the Waves Netball Club and a Bundaberg Netball representative player.
Already this year she has been awarded Bundaberg Netball division five attacker of the season.
Other awards include the 2021 recipient of one of Bundaberg Netball Perpetual awards and The Schoolgirls Sportsperson of the Year award.
Waves Netball said Ash played a strong consistent game every week, was a positive team member and worked hard for her team.
Kijah Stephenson, 20
Kijah Stephenson’s soccer talents have rocketed her to state wide success, as the latest signing for the Brisbane Roar.
As she prepares for her first season as a professional soccer player, Miss Stephenson said her success was a credit to her late father.
“My dad was my coach from under sixes through to under 11s,” she said. “He was always my biggest fan and talked about how one day it would be me playing on the telly.”
She is planning on doing her father’s memory proud in her position as winger for the Roar.
Blake Powter, 16
Blake Powter recently signed a two-year development contract with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldog.
The Brothers Under 16s captain said he always had a passion for the sport.
“I was always playing around football, so I thought I would join a club and have played it since then,” Powter said.
He said the training opportunities that came with his contract already shaped him into a better rugby league player.
“I have learnt heaps of stuff from them, all the basics you think are doing right they just fix up,” Powter said.
Shannan Davey, 22
As the 2020 Golden Gloves winner in the 69kg category, Shannan Davey has cemented himself as a Queensland Champion of boxing.
After following his brother into the sport nine years ago, Mr Davey hasn’t looked back.
His successful career has seen him compete in Commonwealth Games selections, among many other Australian Boxing Association championships.
He has already represented the nation in boxing, and hopes to continue wearing the green and gold.
“I just made my dream come true of representing Australia,” Davey said.
“I went to New Zealand and fought a New Zealand champion.”
Lani Plath, 16
Lani Plath has spent most of her life on the dance floor, since joining the Bundaberg Dance Academy at just two years old.
Her impressive career has led her to being awarded Most Promising Classical Dancer at the Bundaberg Festival of Dance Eisteddfod in 2021.
She has also danced for the Brisbane City Youth Ballet in 2017 as part of the production The Magic Faraway Tree and in the RB Corp Instructions production of The Hive.
“My favourite thing about dance is getting to travel around and meet new people and make the best memories as well as all the skills dance teaches you, not only technically but also life skills,” she said.
Maddison Doolan, 22
When Maddison Doolan was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease in 2019, her whole future was turned upside down.
University degrees were put on hold, and plans to move to Brisbane were postponed.
Ms Doolan turned to photography and after spending an afternoon at Agnes Water capturing the stunning scenery her fiance encouraged her to take photography one step further.
Today, she is one of the region’s best wedding photographers.
“I love the whole process of the day, and now I meet couples as couples, engaged couples and take photos right through to their wedding day,” she said.
Miss Doolan had early success and her first solo wedding was featured in R.M.Williams Outback magazine, and she has recently been published in local publication Crush Magazine.
Lucinda Dumont, 7
At just seven Lucinda Dumont has already made a strong name for herself in the art community, with a solo exhibition at the Gin Gin art gallery.
She is also the region’s youngest winner of the Regional Arts Development Fund grant.
Her mother Lauren Corvino said Lucinda had always shown a love for arts and craft.
A handful of formal art lessons shaped young Lucinda’s skills.
“She’s been described as a cross between Picasso and Warhol,” Mrs Corvino said.
Now the family is looking to organically expand Lucinda’s success.
Fletcher Allport, 22.
Headquarters manager Fletcher Allport was offered the top position just 10 months after he finished his apprenticeship.
Mr Allport has been hairdressing for five years and he oversees a handful of staff, including his own apprentice.
“I enjoy tailoring the hair to everyone individual styles, and do things that make people look like them,” he said.
He is now making a name for himself in the region with his creative approach to hair, and often uses bright colour and grungy cuts to provide individuality for his clients.
Lily Thatcher, 16
Lily Thatcher followed her family into sports, and is now making a name for herself on the international soccer scene
“I was brought up with soccer – dad, brother, grandad all play and love watching it – I started as early as I could (under 6s) at local level and it just grew from then on,” she said.
She has already played for local representative teams including Bundaberg and the Wide Bay, and has competed at a state level.
She has been selected to play in England as part of the West Ham Academy Tour next year.
She hopes to build her career towards playing for a Queensland based National Premier League team, and hopefully make it to the A-League.
Madeleine Harling, 28
Finemore Walters and Story associate Madeleine Harling works is working hard to advocate for people’s rights.
“I take pride in being able to deliver results for my clients, in the most cost-effective and timely manner,” she said.
Miss Harling has been practising law for more than four years, and works for the litigation and dispute resolution team.
“I deal with a vast array of dispute work, including (but not limited to) contractual disputes, debt recovery, building and construction disputes, defamation and injurious falsehood claims, employment disputes, and many more,” she said.
Her future goals including striving forward in her position at Finemore Walters and Story, and using her legal skills to help those in need.
Zander Evans, 16
Zander Evans’ dad’s time playing with the Brisbane Broncos inspired the youngster to want to go far in rugby league.
“I just grew up on it, knowing my dad has played sparked that love for footy,” he said.
Evans has played for Wide Bay Bulls representative team in 2022 and won the Bob Linder trophy at 2021’s Confraternity Carnival.
“I just love the game so much, I don’t know what I would do without it.”
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