Mortimer Duff named People’s Choice for Burnett Power 30

Mortimer Duff, deeply connected to the Burnett through family and the rural industry, reveals where he is focused and why, after making the Burnett’s Power 30 and then winning the People’s Choice vote.

Mortimer Duff.

Despite being one of the youngest people to make it on to the list of the Burnett’s most influential people of 2023, Mortimer Duff has been voted the number one “most influential” person in our 2023 People’s Choice poll.

The Proston Show Society president and Goomeri Pumpkin Festival co-ordinator said he was shocked to win.

“I am in a bit of state of shock,” the 27-year-old said. “I didn’t expect to be named People’s Choice.”

The Gympie region local spends much of his time advocating for his second home, the South Burnett, due to his family’s strong farming connections to the Boondooma and Proston region.

He first came into a community leadership role after noticing his local show society’s struggle during the peak of the Covid pandemic.

Mortimer Duff.

With a generational “near-and-dear” connection to local shows, Mr Duff was devastated by how the pandemic “decimated” regional show societies.

Like many, he did his best to vocalise ways to reinvigorate the communities, but truly put his foot forward when encouraged by one key man.

“It was actually the mayor (Brett Otto) who told me I should put my money where my mouth is,” he said.

When Mr Duff first joined the Proston Show Society he was the youngest member, and used his youth and historical family connections to the region to appeal to a younger demographic.

He credits the “service-minded” attitude of his family for guiding him and allowing him to make the time to connect with the needs of the region in his community roles.

Burnett’s most influential people of 2023:Part One,Part Two and Part Three.

As the nephew of South Burnett councillor Kathy Duff, he said she was a keen source of inspiration.

“My aunty is an exceptional role model, she doesn’t stop,” he said.

Despite being in the midst of keen political mentors, Mr Duff said while he was always up for a challenge he had not quite turned his eye to running for office.

“As far as my own aspirations go, I think the best thing I can do is focus on the community level because that is where you make the most difference,” he said.