Burnett’s most influential people of 2023 #20-11
Who are the Burnett’s ultimate powerbrokers, the heavy hitters shaping our region and, to an extent, our lives? Today we reveal the second part of this year’s list of 30, and the insights into why they made the cut and where they are ranked.
Community News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Community News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Have you ever wondered who the Burnett’s powerbrokers are, the heavy hitters shaping our region and, to an extent, our lives?
The 2023 Power 30 have been assessed on several key criteria: their ability to influence the decisions that matter in our region, the breadth of their influence and the strength of their power and or influence.
They were also critiqued on how effectively they use that influence.
Meet those in part two of three of the 2023 Power 30:
20. Mortimer Duff
Mortimer Duff is a well-known face around the South Burnett, as the Proston Agricultural Society President and the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival coordinator.
He took on the coordinator role early in 2023 from former coordinator David Mawhinney who stepped down to follow a “bucket-list” of adventures.
In 2023 Proston celebrated its 100th anniversary as a township, with celebrations rolled into the 65th annual Proston Show, all under the guidance of Mr Duff.
Mr Duff took on the role in 2022 and played a guiding hand in securing the State Finals of the Young Judges and Junior Handlers in both the Stud Beef and Prime Trade cattle sections, both of which are normally held at the Ekka.
Mr Duff and his family have a long connection to the region. His aunt Kathy Duff is a respected South Burnett councillor.
19. David Tierney
As the Officer in Charge and Senior Sergeant at the Kingaroy Police Station, David Tierney plays a key role in keeping the South Burnett and beyond safe for all.
He came to the station in 2018 from Dalby, where he spent more than a decade in various roles including as a shift supervisor.
Within a year of taking on the pivotal Kingaroy role, Sgt Tierney was a guiding hand in supporting the Burnett initiative towards the Queensland Police Service’s Food Bank Christmas appeal.
The respected officer has been on the force for more than three decades but also plays a key role in the community as the President of the South Burnett Eagles Rugby League Club.
His community work doesn’t stop there, he also volunteers with the Rotary Club of Kingaroy.
18. Kathryn Stevens
Known for her impressive role as the “Chief Baconeer” of BaconFest, Kathryn Stevens, a Kingaroy local,is one of the most regarded people in the region.
With a background in journalism and public relations, she was the mastermind behind the iconic Kingaroy BaconFest, one of the largest food festivals in southeast Queensland.
The event celebrates the story of the South Burnett, drawing tourists from all over the state and remains a key contribution to the region’s economy.
Since relocating from Brisbane more than a decade ago, Mrs Stevens has become a local legend and, outside of the festival, works part time at the Kingaroy St Johns.
In 2021, Mrs Stevens was awarded the South Burnett’s Australia Day Citizen Of The Year for her efforts with the community.
17. The Crompton Family
It’s not often an entire family makes its way onto the Power 30 list, but as the guiding force behind one of the largest peanut producers in the country, the Crompton family is a necessary inclusion.
As the fourth-generation products of G. Crumpton and Sons, brothers Sonie and Darren are the current leaders of the family-owned business.
The family first settled within the Home Creek region north of Kingaroy in the early 1900s, when peanuts were still pulled by hand.
As the family enterprise was handed down it grew into the country’s leading peanut business.
While several family members play a leading role in the business, Sonie Crumpton operates as CEO, overseeing day-to-day operations, upgrades and advancement of the industry as a whole.
16. Eric Law
Wakka Wakka elder Uncle Eric Law has a rich history within the Burnett, and remains one of the most respected elders and community leaders in the region.
In 2015, Uncle Law was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia, an achievement made no less impressive by a man who started school in the 1950s in the Cherbourg Mission School.
Uncle Law has seen much in his lifetime. In 1967 he graduated from Murgon State High School. The same year Australia welcomed the referendum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander citizenship.
Two short years later in 1969, Uncle Law was conscripted and shipped to Vietnam where he worked at the Australian Taskforce Headquarters in Intelligence.
Upon his return to Australia, Uncle Law graduated with a teaching degree from Townsville, among the first 20 First-Nations students in the country to do so.
In the following years he served as a school principal in the Torres Strait, worked in the Aboriginal and Islander Affairs Qld department and eventually was appointed Superintendent of the Cherbourg community, going on to serve as Mayor on the Cherbourg Council.
In his most recent community work, Uncle Law remains a key member of The Ration Shed Museum and historic precinct at Cherbourg and runs the Cherbourg Anzac Day service.
15. Nina Temperton
In her role as CEO of the South Burnett Community Training Center (CTC) Nina Temperton oversees roughly 190 workers for the popular not-for-profit.
The organisation – founded in 1983 – provides a range of services for families, young people and those living with disabilities.
She is also an executive member of the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce which aims to support local businesses to grow and thrive.
Mrs Temperton has been highly regarded for her efforts in the years since her appointment to the position, and continues to work with dozens of local community organisations and businesses to achieve the CTC’s goals.
14. Dylan Devitt
At only 20 years of age Dylan Devitt has already made a name for himself in the international BMX community by competing at the Nitro World Games.
The young gun has ridden with JC Action Sports and has been mentored by BMX and scooter legend Ryan Williams and Gold Coast motocross stunt rider Pat Bowden.
The Kingaroy High graduate has not forgotten his roots and, during high school, spent several months petitioning the South Burnett Regional Council to extend the landings of a number of ramps and pipes at local skate parks.
With more than 5500 followers on Instagram, and an impressive 19,000 followers on TikTok, Devitt remains one of the most influential names in the Burnett.
13. Mark Pitt
In 2021 Mark Pitt was unanimously reappointed by the South Burnett Regional Council as its Chief Executive Officer, extending his appointment to 2026.
After taking on the role in 2018, Mr Pitt has become a key member of the community.
In 2019 he was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honours list with the Public Service Medal for services to the Community and Local Government.
Three years later he was nominated as a finalist in the 2022 Outstanding Leadership Awards, a one of just eight finalists from across the country in the Public Sector Leader Category.
He is also a Fellow of the Local Government Managers Association of Queensland.
12. Les Hotz
Les Hotz was elected as Mayor of the North Burnett Regional Council in February 2022, following a five-decade career in local government.
The Monto local has spent many years serving his community, including in accounting and senior management roles.
The respected councillor was a clear winner in the 2022 election, taking out more than 50 per cent of the votes.
The former Monto Shire CEO served in the role for 14 years before the council was amalgamated in 2008.
Following the amalgamation, Mayor Hotz served as the Director of Corporate Services until 2014 and in 2020 was elected to represent Division 2 of the North Burnett Regional Council.
11. Shelley Strachan
As the editor for several newspaper mastheads in the Wide Bay Burnett, Shelley Strachan is one of the most influential people in the region, guiding the flow of news to the community.
After cutting her teeth as a cadet at the Gympie Times, Ms Strachan has risen through the ranks to play an influential role in the Gympie community and beyond.
She has been an instrumental guiding hand in the careers of multiple young journalists, through dedicated mentorship and unparalleled insight.
The decorated editor has taken home multiple PANPA Community News Brand of the Year awards, the News Corp Achievements in Regional Journalism award and most recently the Regional Local Campaign of the Year at the 2022 News Awards.
With a combined readership of more than 130,000 people Ms Strachan oversees The Gympie Times, The Fraser Coast Chronicle, Bundaberg Newsmail, South Burnett Times and Central and North Burnett Times.
The Central and North Burnett Times and the South Burnett Times would like to acknowledge the South Burnett Mayor Brett Otto would be an expected inclusion in the 2023 Power 30, however due to an extended leave of absence has been excluded from the list.
Join the conversation
Your ultimate guide to every gun club in Queensland
A new public shooting gallery catering to unlicensed shooters as young as 11 has opened as firearm sports experience a surge in popularity. See our exclusive list of all gun clubs in Queensland.
Read more
From machinery to firefighting: Meet Burnett’s favourite apprentice
A 20-year-old apprentice heavy diesel mechanic has won Burnett’s Best Apprentice poll, narrowly edging out the second-and-third place winners in a tight fight.
Read more