Burnett’s most influential people of 2023 #30-21
Who are the Burnett’s ultimate power brokers, the heavy hitters shaping our region and, to an extent, our lives? Today we reveal the first 10 on 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.
Who are the Burnett’s power brokers, the heavy hitters shaping our region and, to an extent, our lives?
Sure, our local politicians walk the corridors of town halls and parliament, but in the modern era power and influence can be exerted in many surprising ways.
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. Not all live in the Burnett, but all have a stake in its growth and development, or an influence on our lives.
Across sport, rural industry, business, arts/entertainment, property, education, tourism/hospitality, health and more, sit back and discover the faces new and familiar that are shaping our community.
#30 EJ Garrett
A proud Eidsvold resident, EJ Garrett has been quietly working to promote the Burnett region and its people as a director, producer and journalist for several years, and just makes it onto the 2023 list of the Burnett’s Power 30 at number 30.
In August 2023, he brought the stories of the Burnett into the limelight as part of a documentary series, Rebel With A Cause, which highlights the trials and tribulations of Queensland’s most iconic Indigenous leaders.
So successful was the documentary, it was welcomed at the Melbourne International Film Festival prior to its official release on NITV in October.
Mr Garrett has been a staple of the Burnett and southeast Queensland media landscape for a number of years, as the driving force behind the Murray Minutes, a video journalist for NITV and the owner of independent production company Burnett River Media, based in Eidsvold.
He will continue his success and the promotion of local stories as he puts in action his plan to take the Burnett written book Ghostbird to the big screen.
#29 Scott Prendergast
Not only is Scott Prendergast a respected Detective Sergeant and Officer in Charge of the Kingaroy Criminal Investigative Branch, he is a champion of the Burnett sporting scene and recognised for his years of service as a coach and administrator.
Sgt Prendergast’s dedication to his community is clear from more than a decade as president of the Murgon Barambah United Soccer Club (of which he remains an active member), treasurer of the Queensland Police Service Clay Target Club, and manager of junior rugby league clubs.
He is also known for his keen support of the NRL Voice against Violence team, and the Murgon Police Charity Balls alongside his fundraising efforts for the Castra, Murgon Hospital Auxiliary and LifeFlight.
Sgt Prendergast has received numerous commendations for his work from the 2017 Queensland Child Protection Week Award (Leadership), the 2019 South Burnett Citizen of the Year and the 2023 South Burnett Sportsperson of the Year (Coach/Official or Administrator).
His policing efforts include leading Operation Viper in 2022, which led to more than a dozen people facing 75 charges.
#28 Damien ‘Damo’ Martoo
Known as the face and voice of the South Burnett, Damien Martoo has served on a number of community boards and on the airways.
Aside from being president of the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he is well-known in the South Burnett for his online presence with the Martoo Review.
With more than 6300 followers on Facebook and 1300 on Instagram, the Martoo Review has attracted a strong following.
Known to most as Damo, the Chamber of Commerce president works with local businesses to promote effective management and success.
He was elected into the role in 2020, and in 2022 through the “manna from heaven” that was the financial sponsorship from Mick Johnson, the Chamber was able to promote “Damo” to the full-time position.
In his role as community spokesman, he has also hosted Pollies in the Pub, a Q&A aimed at connecting locals with future mayors and council candidates.
#27 Paul Francis
Paul Francis has a long and respected history in the Burnett, including a quarter of a century of service to the local council.
The grazier turned councillor served on the Monto Shire Council for 14 years, after being elected in 1998 and served until 2008 when he was elected as a North Burnett Regional councillor for Division 2.
In his time at the North Burnett Regional Council, he served as deputy mayor, guiding the region forward.
He has also served on a number of agricultural and other committees, including with Rotary, AgForce, Droughtmaster Breeders Society and the Australian Stock Horse Society.
His current community work stems from his presidency with the Burnett Subchamber, where he acts as a guiding hand for local shows across the region, including Monto Show where he also serves as society president.
Mr Frances comes in at number 27 on the 2023 list of the Burnett’s most influential and powerful people.
#26 David Thomson
In his role as principal for one of the largest high schools in the Burnett, David Thomson has provided a inspirational and guiding hand in shaping the future of the next generation.
He took on the role of Kingaroy State High School principal in 2022, after years of travelling southeast Queensland.
Beginning as a teacher of senior science and maths at Bribie State High School, he went on to St George, working in the country as a primary school teacher.
From there he stepped into overseeing roles as a Chancellor at the University of the Sunshine Coast and North Lakes in Brisbane before making the exciting move to rural Queensland.
He is respected for his attitude to guiding students into future work, and understanding the country mindset that often keeps students on the family farm after graduating.
#25 Simon Graham
Another principal guiding the Burnett’s next generation is Simon Graham, who has been both the acting and head principal for Burnett State College since 2022.
Mr Graham lists more than two decades of service to the state’s education field, serving as principal and educator.
In his role, he oversees the college which caters to about 240 students from across the Burnett, predominantly within Gayndah and surrounds.
Many students who graduate from junior education within Eidsvold, Mundubbera and Biggenden find their way to Burnett State College for their Year 7-12 schooling.
The college incorporates both the Gayndah State High School and Wide Bay Institute of TAFE, a unique challenge.
#24 Andrew Kelly
As director of KF Solicitors, Andrew Kelly has become one of the most respected legal agents in the Burnett, serving the region for more than two decades.
After first starting as a lawyer in Kingaroy for Kevin FJ Woods following the completion of his legal education in 1993, Mr Kelly launching his own legal practice in 1995.
He was instrumental in bringing duty lawyer services to the South Burnett in the 90s, a service which continues to this day.
In the years since, Mr Kelly has solidified himself and his firm which has grown and evolved to encompass two offices, one in Kingaroy and one in Brisbane.
With 30 years in the industry, he is regarded as one of the most reputable solicitors in the Burnett, known for his broad expertise across many areas of the law.
He manages almost a dozen staff across six areas of law including family law, criminal and traffic law, conveyancing and leasing, wills and estates, personal injury and commercial law.
#23 Andrew Sinclair
As the key South Burnett magistrate, Andrew Sinclair is a key figure who acts to keep the region safe in his role at the Kingaroy, Murgon and Nanango Magistrates courts.
He first made his way to the region in June 2020, replacing Louisa Pink as acting magistrate in the region after being admitted to the Magistrates Court of Queensland in 2017.
With more than 30 years of experience in the legal system, Mr Sinclair was first admitted as a barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1989, before being engaged on the Fitzgerald Inquiry and working as a crown prosecutor at the Special Prosecutors Office.
Over his impressive career, he logged a number of roles including junior counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Operation Trident, volunteer contributor to the Cairns Community Legal Centre, the founding president of the Environmental Defenders Office of Northern Queensland, president of the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties, and member of the Bar Council of the Bar Association of Queensland.
He has also spent time teaching law at James Cook University.
#22 Rob Fitzherbert
Rob Fitzherbert is known as a passionate member of the South Burnett community and a keen advocate for events that promote the region.
As an executive member of the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce, Mr Fitzherbert works with local businesses to support the South Burnet and promote the local economy.
In his time with the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce, he also served as president for a number of years before handing the reins to Damien Martoo.
He has proudly served the region in a number of roles including as service manager at Ken Mills Toyota before moving into the Business Development Officer role at South West TAFE.
He also manages RCF Entertainment, a company which represents three prominent Burnett musical acts; Ryza, MISfITZ and Fitzy.
Mr Fitzherbert has also supported one of the region’s most prominent events, the Kingaroy Baconfest where he served as Entertainment Coordinator in 2023.
#21 Robert van Barneveld
In his role as Group CEO and managing director of the SunPork Group, Robert van Barneveld oversees the largest producer of pork in the country.
The company employs more than 1800 people across Australia and NZ, with Kingaroy Swickers Bacon Factory a key piece of the enterprise and a major - if not the major - employee in the South Burnett.
Mr van Barneveld came to the role for his highly-regarded scientific specialist knowledge in the field of nutrition with a keen focus on food security.
He has a number of impressive positions and achievements to his name, including as a Non-Executive Director of the ASX-listed Ridley Corporation; which is known as Australia’s largest stockfeed manufacturer.
He also served as Director of the Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd, a former Director of Australian Pork Ltd, Pork CRC Ltd and is former Chairman of Porkscan Pty Ltd, a company which focuses on technologies aimed at gaining more accurate measurement of pig carcasses.
In following initiatives close to his heart, Mr van Barneveld has also served as Chairman of Autism CRC Ltd and former Chairman of Social Skills Training Pty Ltd (a company which delivers Secret Agent Society Program to families living with ASD).
More Coverage
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
Free margaritas, new menus: Motel revamps kitchen
An off-highway motel has relaunched its restaurant with a new look and menu, celebrating with free margaritas for a month across its Queensland sites. SEE THE MENU.
Read more