Community leader Melinda Thorburn voted North Burnett's most influential person 2025
A youth support worker and rugby league champion has defeated a state MP and federal politician to be voted the North Burnett's most influential person of 2025. See who made the top five:
Central and North Burnett Times readers were asked to vote on the rankings of the North Burnett’s Power 20 list of influential people of 2025.
Twenty men and women from all walks of life from Monto to Mundubbera, and Gayndah to Eidsvold were nominated.
Each person who made the top 20 embodied the hardworking, community-minded spirit of the Burnett region and should be immensely proud of themselves.
But those who made the list had to have a proven amount of influence and or power, be that locally, nationally or within their industry. The breadth and depth of that power and or influence was also a factor.
Once on the list, we threw it open to our readers to vote on how the list should be ranked, and therefore who should be crowned the most influential and powerful person of our region of 2025.
The individual coming in at number one is Mundubbera Enterprise Association (MEA) president and events coordinator Melinda Thorburn, who took 20 per cent of the votes.
In her capacity with the MEA, Ms Thorburn is involved in the Mundubbera Blueberry Festival, which supports local industries and drives economic recovery for Mundubbera through a fun weekend of live events.
She is also a huge supporter of rugby league in the region.
Here is the final Power 20 list, as ranked by you, and why the top 10 candidates secured their spots:
1. Melinda Thorburn – 20 per cent of votes
Melinda Thorburn was commended for her involvement in the Central Burnett Rugby League Club and for what she has done for sport throughout the Burnett.
Garland Tucker said, “Melinda has gone above and beyond to elevate the rugby league world”, when she put forward Ms Thorburn’s name for the poll and mentioned she had created a social media presence, which had been amazing for players.
“People love it and it gives them an opportunity to be included in the RL discussion,” she said.
The Central and North Burnett Times contacted Ms Thorburn to let her know she had taken the most votes in the poll.
“This acknowledgement inspired me to try harder to work for change and build capacity in others to do likewise,” she said.
“I am working in my dream role as a youth support worker and love the opportunity I have been given to help young people to live their best lives.
“I see how worthwhile it is to build capacity and growth in the next generation.
“My volunteering with community projects and rugby league allows me to contribute in a meaningful way that helps to fill my cup.”
She said her greatest community achievement was establishing the Mundubbera Blueberry Festival in 2022.
“Seeing it become embedded in the NB community is extremely gratifying and worth the hard work,” she said.
“I’d love to see more people stepping forward to create change.
“There is a relatively small pool of people in our region who keep our NB communities growing at a great cost of time and energy.
“We know many hands make light work, but it also creates a deeper community bond and sense of purpose.”
2. Bryson Head – 17 per cent
Bryson Head has been the Liberal National Party state member for Callide in the Queensland Legislative Assembly since June 2022 by-election.
He lives by the motto, “I can’t fight to fix an issue I don’t know about”, and regularly travels to events in the region, such as the Mundubbera Blueberry Festival, to meet and chat with people.
Recently, a focus of his has been improving road infrastructure in the region, advocating for and working on projects such as widening the Mundubbera-Durong road for road train access, the addition of more turning lanes on the Warrego Highway, and improving the pick-up and drop-off zones at Calliope State School.
He has also been working on increasing police presence in the community, getting better equipment for community sport and clubs, and easier access to health services.
3. Stacey Duncan – 14 per cent
Stacey Duncan is a beloved local photographer from Gayndah who has previously been publicly credited for photographing community events, including the Gayndah races.
Her business, Stacey Duncan Photography, aims to create memories for local families whether that be at weddings, family events, or graduation either inside a studio or in nature.
4. John Zaul – 9 per cent
John Zaul is the chair of the Mundubbera Bendigo Community Bank Branch and the Gunther Aged Facility in Gayndah.
Previously, he has served the Burnett region as a North Burnett councillor from 2016-2020, a lawyer, and volunteer for community organisations, which saw him take home both the Gayndah and North Burnett Citizen of the Year awards in 2021.
He is a passionate member of the Burnett community, continuously advocating for collaboration and growth in the North Burnett and Wide Bay regions.
5. Colin Boyce – 8 per cent
Colin Einar Boyce has been the LNP Federal MP for Flynn since 2022.
He is a member of the Liberal National Party and sits with the National Party in federal parliament.
His work has seen the Burnett region achieve milestones such as the replacement of the John Peterson Bridge, which crosses the Boyne River, funding for a defibrillator at the Calliope Football Club, and funding for a student laptop initiative at Youthspace Gayndah.
6. Amanda Luani – 7 per cent
Amanda Luani is the centre manager of the North Burnett Community Service and does anything from delivering mental health support to empowering individuals in the community.
Her work is guided by the NBCS mission which is based around delivering high quality, locally informed services to the community that empowers people and strengthens social connections.
Under her leadership, the organisation operates with values such as respect, integrity, teamwork and compassion.
7. Estelle Hawkins – 5 per cent
Estelle Hawkins, who worked towards both the opening and operations of the Monto Community Centre, has received recognition for her volunteering work across the Burnett region, especially during times of disaster.
She is greatly appreciated by the community and just missed out on making the top five.
8. Tom Capewell – 4 per cent
“The Batman of the Burnett”, the people of the Burnett have dubbed Tom Capewell.
It’s said he’s a local hero who always has his community’s back.
Blake Crofts said Tom “keeps the community safe and protected” when he nominated him.
9. Julie Mauger, Sue Walters, Matthew Benham and Rachael Benham – 3 per cent
The people could not pick between this amazing bunch.
Julie Mauger has been described by fellow community members as a “pretty awesome lady”.
Bearing the title ‘Queen of Gayndah’s IGA’, she is best known for being crowned the champion winner of the 2021 Gayndah Orange Festival window display competition.
The Orange Festival is one of the region’s most celebrated events, and her active participation in the competition displayed her dedication to fostering community spirit.
Matthew and Rachael Benham are Gayndah locals and prominent citrus growers in the North Burnett region.
Matt was awarded the emerging leader award at the Citrus Australia Market Outlook Forum and, together, the couple regularly host workshops and field day for schools in the area.
10. Paul Berthelsen – 2 per cent
Paul Berthelsen, alongside his wife Mary Berthelsen, is also a local citrus grower, owning Boyne View Citrus.
When he is not supplying the region with delicious fruits he serves as the President of the Mundubbera Rotary Club and is a highly-respected figure in the Mundubbera community.
11. Les Hotz, Michelle Warren, Maxene Cooper, Philip Robinson and Susan Payne – 1 per cent
12. Loyd Stranks, Russell Mills, and Moya Sandow – 0 per cent
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