Gympie’s 37 most influential women of 2021 revealed
Experts say women’s approaches to leadership differ in many important ways that can benefit organisations if they learn to harness them. Today we celebrate 37 of the most motivated, successful and inspirational women in our community.
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The Gympie Times wants to recognise and applaud the most inspirational, influential and visionary women of 2021.
They are the women who have helped lead this region through another year of the pandemic, snap lockdowns, vaccinations, masks and public debate.
We are committed to increasing the visibility of women’s leadership in our community, and there is no end to the number of incredible local women to celebrate.
They are CEOs, doctors, volunteers, principals, farmers, influences and everything else in between. Here they are, in no particular order, the Gympie region’s 45 Women of Influence of 2021:
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SABRINA WALSH:
Gympie Hospital sits under the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Board of which Ms Sabrina Walsh is Chair. Sabrina has more than 30 years’ experience in consulting and senior executive roles in the health industry. She began her career in health as a clinical psychologist before moving into health policy, health service management and leading major digital transformation initiatives in health.
She recently led the transformation of technology services and the digitisation of one of the largest health services in NSW. Previous roles include: Chief Information Officer roles in Queensland and NSW; chief executive roles for public sector health services in Queensland; and executive leadership roles in mental health, aged and disability services. As Director for Mental Health in the Northern Territory, she led territory-wide policy development, strategic planning, resource allocation and evaluation of mental health services.
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AUNTY LILLIAN BURKE:
Aboriginal Elder Aunty Lillian Burke, of the Butchulla language group and with connections to the Kabi Kabi people of the Gympie region, is a Senior Fellow of the University of the Sunshine Coast, and a prominent educator on not only the past injustices committed against Indigenous peoples, but positive social change for future generations. She was among the top four nominees for Queensland‘s Senior Australian of the Year in 2019, and she was described as a tireless and inspirational champion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She succeeded in her dream to have a monument erected in the heart of Gympie to honour all the known and unknown Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women.
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Her university Fellowship further recognises her work encouraging young Aboriginal people to take on a university education. She has participated in 100 boards, committees and consultancy groups. She is president of Cooloola Aboriginal Services and Gympie State High School adopted elder and mentor, and takes a leading role Gympie‘s annual NAIDOC celebrations, Sorry Day and other significant events.
She has helped Aboriginal rangers on Fraser Island develop a cultural heritage database, part of her work with the island‘s Indigenous Advisory Committee. She is an Elder of the Butchulla language group and has connections to the Kabi Kabi people of Gympie region.
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DEANNE MITCHELL
The Director of Nursing/Facility Manager for Gympie Hospital is Deanne Mitchell.
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JANELLE REID:
Janelle Reid is Assistant Regional Director, North Coast Region Department of Education. She is Janelle is married with two children. She has been an educator for more than 35 years, having worked in secondary schools, primary schools, TAFE education and the early childhood sector. Janelle is now in her seventh year as an Assistant Regional Director with the North Coast Region Department of Education. She is passionate to support the success of every student, and values the quality associations she enjoys with school leaders in the region and across the state. Janelle’s career highlights have included leading a local school as Principal, schools in her area being recognised for two Department of Education Showcase Awards for Excellence for their work in English and Maths, a local teacher being recognised through Showcase Award for Teacher of the year, and the privilege of having the One Mile School Hall named in her honour. She aspires to leave a legacy of making a difference to the lives of children, her work colleagues, family and friends.
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PAULA ROWLANDS:
Paula Rowlands is perhaps the region’s longest serving wildlife warrior, and president of the Anarra Wildlife Rescue Gympie. The Australian Native Animals Rescue and Rehabilitation Association (ANARRA) group was formed in the early 1990s in response to the growing need for rescuers and carers for injured, orphaned and sick wildlife in the Gympie and Wide Bay region. The Rowlands have established a wildlife refuge at 288 Greendale Rd, Glastonbury, a 40 ha property adjacent to the Glastonbury State Forest. ANARRA has rescued about 3000 animals.
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DOLLY JENSEN:
Gympie Regional councillor Dolly Jensen is a passionate Theebine resident, former bank employee, union rep and long term Gympie advocate. She was elected by Division 2 voters of the Gympie region in 2020, the council seat previously occupied by Mayor Glen Hartwig. Outspoken and courageous, Dolly is not afraid to take on her critics or call it as she sees it.
“I have stood my ground and negotiated against some very powerful bank executives to get a fair go. I will fight equally as hard for a fair go for our communities of Division two.”
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ALISON JENSEN:
Singer, songwriter and musician, Alison Jensen is a graduate of the Academy of Country Music and Academy X. She has worked with the likes of Lyn Bowtell, Catherine Britt, Kevin Bennett, Sara Storer and Troy Cassar-Daley. Gympie musician Alison Jensen has been nominated for yet another award, the ICMA’s Patti McKinnon Encouragement Award, given to a young, rising artist in the Australian or New Zealand Country Music Industry.
Miss Jensen won the people’s choice at the Rise Up Showcase at Winton’s Way Out West Festival, and was nominated for the ICMA’s Patti McKinnon Encouragement Award, given to a young, rising artist in the Australian or New Zealand Country Music Industry.
JESS MILNE:
Gympie Regional councillor Jess Milne was elected at the 2020 local government elections in Division 1 of the region, which includes all of the Cooloola Coast. She holds the portfolio of waste, waste water and regulatory services with the council and, according to her register of interests on the council website, is the secretary/president of the Tin Can Bay Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, president/secretary of the Cooloola Coast Youth Activity Project Inc, president/centre manager of the Cooloola Coast Little Athletics and secretary of the Cooloola Coast Heritage and Historical Society.
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SARAH STERNS:
Sarah is the owner and manager of Bendele Farm at Kilkivan, which grows free range and organic poultry. Their chickens, ducks, and turkeys are available in select butchers, delis and at farmers markets around Queensland.
FIONA KEABLE:
Gympie born Fiona Keable created the Real Body Movement in 2017 with her husband Matt, which now has a tribe of 185. The Gympie born fitness industry success has presented on numerous occasions to the Functional Training Institute Game Changer community - a coaching program for coaches Australia wide on nutrition coaching and client care. She and Matt won Game Changers of the Year for the Functional Training Institute Game Changer Program Nationwide - now international. Fiona has coached clients in USA live Animal Flow, and is Animal Flow Instructor. Together with her eldest daughter she runs Harness Your Potential Workshops to teach people how to uncover their values and set and achieve goals.
CARLEY O’DONNELL:
Carley O‘Donnell has created a free women’s circle - Yvonne’s Circle - which meets on the last Sunday of every month. Creating a safe space for women and also allowing local women to share their passions or small businesses. Carley is a coordinator at the Gympie Region Volunteer Centre, trains in Olympic weightlifting and is a coach at Stay True Health and Fitness
“My biggest goal is to help build a community that is inclusive to all and to inspire others to believe in themselves and to feel empowered.”
ALANA SCOTT:
Alana Scott has been the principal at the Gympie West State School since January 2020. She has been a teacher for 35 years, and has taught in PNG, throughout NSW, Townsville and Mount Isa in Queensland.
What she loves most about her job is “the amazing and diverse range of opportunities teaching has allowed me and the people I have meet along the way especially in the Gympie area which has now become home”.
One of her greatest achievements was being chosen to attend an international education conference at Disneyworld in Florida. She was the only Australian teacher in the room of more than 3500 participants.
JEN NINI
Jen Nini is the editor in chief of Eco Warrior Princess, which has almost 12,000 Facebook followers. In 2021 she established an organic flower farm and is documenting her journey on Insta and YouTube.
MELISSA BOULLY:
Melissa is the devoted mother of two teenage boys and owner of Gympie Saddleworld and Country Clothing.
Agriculture and horses have always been a huge part of her life and combined with a corporate career and small business over the years. Melissa is passionate about the community and helping as many people as possible reach their full potential and she sponsors local clubs and helps promote events as much as she can through the store.
“I want to continue to build awareness of the importance of agriculture and the benefits and enjoyment of horse sports. My horse career has been very broad across many disciplines, nowadays I have Australian Stock Horses for exactly the reason the Stock Horse Society promotes them as the Breed for Every Need.
“Whilst my time is invested as a sponsor and rider at many events these days, I have also volunteered on many committees over the years. Creating additional local employment opportunities is also something I am proud of including taking on three school based traineeships this year.
“We are a team of 100 per cent women at Gympie Saddleworld. I hope I can help inspire and empower other women in the region to pursue their dreams and aspirations wherever it may lead them whether it be in agriculture, in business or in the saddle.”
KATE MAYNE:
Kate, 40-ish, runs Piggy in the Middle with her husband, his cousin and wife on a 105ha property at Kilkivan, offering chemical-free and pasture-raised food for their customers.
“I grew up on a cattle property in central Queensland. I learnt from early age what hard work was and also how important love and kindness is. I became an early childhood teacher and then a mum (best and most challenging role) whilst supporting my husband in our contract harvesting business. I have three fantastic teenagers who I’m especially proud of. We moved to this area six years ago and with an amazing team we started our farm and small business, Piggy in the Middle, where we produce and sell ethical, pasture raised, chemical free meat and eggs direct to families and restaurants. My family is my biggest achievement. My goals are to find work/life balance and grow old surrounded by family.”
TANYA HAYDEN:
Mary Valley College principal Tanya Hayden has run the P-10 school in Imbil of about 150 students since April 2019. She has a Masters in Education and has been teaching for more than 30 years across Secondary and Primary contexts as teacher, Head of Department Performing Arts, Deputy Principal and now Principal – Ferny Grove SHS, Ayr SHS, Morayfield SHS, Deception Bay SHS, Beerwah SHS, Beerwah SS, Moreton Downs SS and now MVSC. She has also taught in England, Toronto Canada and Hong Kong. What she loves about MVSC is being involved with both primary and secondary students and school programs.
“It’s the best of both worlds. I also love the fact that MVSC is a community school and we are actively involved in community events and get fantastic support from our P&C and the wider community.”
JORDI ELYSE:
Jordi Elyse, almost 21, is an advocate for young women who identify as having a disability. She created a social group called Tea Leaf Social where she creates monthly events for women between the ages of 17-35 who identify as having a disability. Jordi describes herself as having a healthy obsession for animals and a love and passion for helping people achieve their goals. Her personal goal is to be independent and live on her own but her greatest goal in life is to be an advocate for others who identify as having a disability and to help theme navigate their way through the NDIS to ensure planners and providers are properly informed. Out of 750 nominees, Jordi was placed in the top three for the Queensland Training Awards for hospitality.
JELLINA WHITE:
Career banker Jellina is owner manager of the Gympie Bank of Queensland. It was in 1987 that Ms White commenced her banking career at the BOQ Gympie (where she was born and raised). In a male dominated industry she worked hard to climb the corporate ladder, working in numerous branches throughout the state until she became the only female Regional Manager in Australia, travelling throughout, NSW, Victoria and the ACT, working closely with new BOQ franchisees.
During her time with Corporate BOQ , Ms White was awarded the Managing Directors Award, Branch of the Year and Branch Manager of the Year.
With a young family and many years of Australia-wide franchise coaching under her belt she took the opportunity to return to her home town of Gympie in 2009, and convert the local BOQ branch from a Corporate branch to a franchise. Jellina is on the board of the Franchise Advisory Council for BOQ.
A massive believer of giving back to the community that supports her and her business, the chance to provide significant support to local clubs is considered a career highlight similar to the many executive awards given during her corporate career.
Ms White has also been awarded Gympie Women in Business awards of Top Gun Woman of Excellence, Employer of the Year and Business of The Year.
As the major sponsor for the Gympie Junior Rugby League and Junior Development Program for the past 11 years she has seen many improvements as a direct result of the monies she has contributed, and has helped support and raise funds for Little Haven Palliative Care, Valleys Cricket Club, Gympie Hockey, Bush to Beach Lions Project and Gympie Quota.
She also gives her time freely to talk to local primary and high school students regarding budgeting and banking.
CINDY BUCHAN:
Bravo team member, Rotarian, eisteddfod committee member, volunteer for anything and everything, wife, daughter, mother, grandmother and friend to many.
She came from a travelling family and has lived in the Gympie community for more than 30 years, raising five children. Her first career in Gympie was support work and house cleaning whilst raising young children, but once the youngest started school she went to Suncoast Gold Macadamias, where she worked her way up over 17 years to production leader.
Seven years ago Cindy started as a facilitator with Bravo.
Her go to motto is “Look at each other and laugh”. (Makes for a great family photo, Cindy says.).
EMILY LARKIN:
Emily Larkin has created a Facebook page connecting 1.2k women in Gympie encouraging events and friendships/support for women across the Gympie region. Emily moved to Gympie in Jan 2020 and found the distance from her Sunshine Coast friends too much.
“I didn’t know many people in Gympie so thought I’d create a group for women to connect and make new friends. I’ve personally made some great friends from the group, and no many others have as well. We run events - coffee, dinner, walking group, movies etc and have women from all ages and walks of life.”
Emily is a manager in aged care. Her background is in Human Resources and law.
“Before that I founded a successful online florist on the coast and sold it after four years, one of those achievements was reaching 10,000 individual sales within three years.”
Emily also volunteers for the Gympie Girl Guides. She started as an adult leader and is now the district manager.
ANGELA TREICHEL:
Angie Treichel works at AJT Legal, and is helping to pave the way to normalise compassion in her approach to business and at the same time as practising as a strong and trustworthy legal professional. She was admitted as a Solicitor in 2012 and launched AJT Legal two and a half years ago. She practices mainly in the areas of property law and estate planning and estate administration, where her passions lie. Career highlights include being the first Queensland Solicitor to complete an electronic property transaction via PEXA in 2015. She is passionate about embracing technology and exploring ways to make legal processes easier for people. Her career goals include growing her team and continuing to service her clients whilst maintaining small firm charm and good old fashioned customer service.
“I am so grateful to live and work in such a supportive community, with an amazing group of women in business around me that continue to inspire and encourage each other.”
DR RASHIDA MALEK:
Dr Malek has been a GP at Excelsior Medical Centre since 2011. Dr Malek likes to see patients from a variety of areas including paediatrics, geriatrics, adolescent population, men’s and women’s health. Being an Obstetrician Gynaecologist, she has special interest in girls/women of all ages and related issues. She is a Supervisor and Medical Educator with James Cook University, Townsville, involved in training/mentoring future GPs.
DONNA GRIFFIN:
Donna has been an occupational therapist for 20 years, working mostly with veterans. Donna is the ultimate quiet achiever and deserves recognition for her contribution to work in some of the most challenging paid and unpaid roles across our region. Donna’s work/advocacy saw a national pay rise of about 27% for OTs working with veterans. Donna has also utilised her OT skills in a voluntary capacity with the local Access Advisory Committee over those years, to improve equitable access for all members of the community. For the past five years, she has been a supervisor for junior OTs and for OTs who have qualified in other countries and have chosen to come to Australia to live and work. She has combined her interest in health and wellbeing, with her passion for motorbike riding, by becoming part of the Queensland leadership team of the Black Dog Ride. The Black Dog Ride is a national charity motorcycle ride, aimed at increasing awareness of depression and suicide prevention; and decreasing the stigma which is associated with mental ill-health. Donna always tries to tread gently in her world.
SHELLEY STRACHAN:
Gympie Times editor Shelley Strachan recently became News Corp’s Wide Bay Editor, overseeing news teams and setting the news agenda in Gympie, Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg.
As editor of The Gympie Times for the past five years, she oversaw its successful migration to digital and its continued growth in terms of audience, subscriptions and reach, with 36,000 people reading The Gympie Times online each week and more than 23,500 followers on Facebook, and is focused now on her goal of increasing and improving the local news coverage by The Gympie Times, Bundaberg News Mail and Fraser Coast Chronicle in their communities.
A mother of four and passionate advocate for her home patch, Shelley has earned multiple PANPA Community News Brand of the Year awards, and the coveted News Corp Achievements in Regional Journalism award.
SHARON O’BRIEN:
The lifelong Gympie resident has been a key force through Little Haven Palliative Care and the region‘s Salvation Army, two organisations on a big roll over the past few years. She has been a huge influence in the life of husband and Wide Bay Federal MP Llew O‘Brien; he frequently credits her support to helping him through hard times and challenges.
Sharon has been on Little Haven‘s board for years and has helped the popular service gain significant and crucial funding from the Federal Government. She also played a role in the growth of the Salvation Army‘s Red Shield appeal, helping transform it from a door knock appeal to a successful breakfast fundraiser.
And these latest successes are but the tip of the influential iceberg. Mrs O‘Brien became involved in politics and the future of the region when the ill-fated Traveston dam was announced and played an integral role in State MP Tony Perrett winning the Gympie state seat in 2015, serving as his campaign manager
MICHELE PERRETT:
Michele Perrett has been married to Gympie MP and Queensland shadow spokesman for agriculture Tony Perrett for 29 years and they share two adult daughters.
She has been involved in the Mayoral Prayer Breakfast for many years, is a committee member of the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal, and a Gympie Chamber of Commerce Business Awards judge.
Michele is a beef cattle producer, beauty therapist and water aerobics instructor, and now a Grandma as well.
RUTH MODIN:
Cooloola Coast businesswoman and pioneer Ruth Modin is the accepted “unofficial mayor of Rainbow Beach”. She has been a leading voice for the town and the Rainbow Beach business community since the 1980s, when she moved to the region with late husband Milton from Alberta, Canada. It was in Milton‘s memory that Mrs Modin orchestrated one of the family’s best and most famous achievements, the enduring Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic - an event that typically draws hundreds of entrants and thousands of onlookers to the coast. Sadly the event has fallen foul of COVID again this year.
Mrs Modin was awarded the first ever life membership of the Rainbow Beach Commerce and Tourism Association for her outstanding work as committee president between 1986 and 1996.
ROSIE FITZGERALD:
Kilkivan daughter and businesswoman Rosie Fitzgerald is pulling no stops in her quest to develop ageing-in-place services and facilities to one of the region‘s largest rural districts. As president of the Kilkivan & District Community Care Association, Ms Fitzgerald persuaded Landline to do a emotional piece on the plight of the elderly in Kilkivan who face being forced to move many kilometres from their homes. Ms Fitzgerald owns an accommodation business, and some of her guests have later assisted the local care cause. The organisation she spearheads has recently purchased a community bus which is expected to start providing transport services later this month.
DEBRA HATHERELL:
Born and raised in Gympie, Debra Hatherell is the Acting Manager for Gympie Regional Council’s
Financial Reporting and Budget Department. After graduating university and spending a number of
years working in various impressive roles in the Greater Brisbane area, Deb had the opportunity to
move back home. Having lived in Gympie most of her life, raising a family here just made sense. Deb
started her career with Gympie Regional Council as a Financial Officer and took on the role of Acting
Manager two years ago. Deb states that her favourite thing about her 13-year long career with
council has been the people; her ‘small but mighty’ team and the supportive organisation. While
describing herself as a ‘silent achiever’, Debs said her determination and drive is credited to the
strong women in her family, her mother and grandmothers who motivate and influence her daily.
KYM BOYTER:
In the words of Gympie Regional Mayor Glen Hartwig, you would not find a more passionate person than Kim Boyter in the Goomeri community. The tireless volunteer and vocal community advocate is the driving force behind the Goomeri Pumpkin Festival, which draws almost 20,000 people each year and which has won it and Kym multiple awards.
SHARNA ROWLEY:
Mother of two, wife and poultry fanatic. There’s a lot more to Gympie Regional Council’s Marketing and Communications Manager; Sharna Rowley. Sharna started her career in tourism before making the move to media. There she spent 22 years working with many iconic organisations such as the 10 Network. While she described this time as exciting and challenging she wanted to explore her passion for community service-based roles.
After accepting a job in Victoria, Sharna had the opportunity to directly work with community. During this time, she helped run soup kitchens, worked in suicide support, child services, refugee services and collaborated with mental health organisations like Headspace.
In July 2017, Sharna moved to Queensland and accepted her position as Manager of Marketing and Communications at Gympie Regional Council. Having the background and passion for community, working for council felt like the right fit. Sharna states that her favourite thing about her role is the opportunity to serve and better the community. ‘If I’m going to work hard, it’s got to be somewhere I feel good about. Somewhere that makes the community a better place’. Sharna’s advice is to grab every opportunity; ‘grab a hold of it and learn, if you stop learning you’re in trouble.’
CAITLYN SHADBOLT:
While COVID restrictions continue to be cruel to performers, it is hard to keep Gympie‘s famous songbird down. Caitlyn Shadbolt, who still calls Gympie home amid her rising success, used her creative energy during lockdown to produce Edge of the Earth, and her second album Stages.
The 26-year-old shot to fame as a teen when she came fifth on reality TV Show the X-Factor in 2014, which led to an ABC/Universal Music Australia record deal the next year.
Two of her singles Maps Out The Window and Shoot Out The Lights hit number one on the Country iTunes chart, Airplay chart and CMC Video Charts.
She has been nominated for several Golden Guitars and won the CMC New Oz Artist of the Year. Her reach is far and broad with the pop princess featuring in numerous news and music articles and amassing 56,000 followers on Facebook and almost 33,000 on Instagram who she keeps entertained weekly
RENITA HENRY-MAY:
Foodie Mumma Ren Renita Henry-May is an amazing teacher at Kilkivan State School, a mother and a successful blogger. The creative and passionate businesswoman is the brains behind Foodie Mumma Ren -
a blogging brand based on recipes and a love of food with an associated website and strong Facebook following of more than 17,600 people from all over the world. Foodie Mumma Ren was a finalist for the national 2020 AusMumpreneur Awards in the Author and People‘s Choice Leadership categories.
JODY ALLEN AND NIC MILLARD:
Jody is the well known founder and chief editor of parenting website Stay at Home Mum, which she and her husband Brendan run from their home at Pie Creek.
The website brings in some serious subscriber numbers, clicking more than 5 million users during the height of COVID lockdown and spawning a social media empire embraced by mums around the country with almost 538,000 Facebook followers. Jody connects with thousands of women sharing her money saving and frugal lifestyle tips. She has launched four books (and counting) with Penguin Publishing with the 2017’s “The $50 Weekly Shop” becoming a best seller. Today Stay At Home Mum is one of Australia’s biggest online mother’s networks.
COLLEEN MILLER:
Colleen Miller is not only the face of Gympie Netball, she has been a powerful force in growing the sport in this region and took a tilt at a council seat at the 2020 local government election. SHe continues to steer a strong Gympie netball community through the hazards of a pandemic and snap lockdowns.
THELMA REISENLEITER:
Passion to volunteer at an event that her children were competing in soon turned into a life-long commitment for Gympie and District Eisteddfod president Thelma Reisenleiter, who somehow, with the help of her dedicated band of volunteers, managed to overcome the hurdles of Covid and snap lockdowns to stage a Gympie District Eisteddfod in 2021.
Mrs Reisenleiter has been at the helm of the Gympie eisteddfod for decades, where hundreds of young performers compete, shine and grow.
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