Gympie’s biggest social media stars, influencers of 2021 | List
They’re mummy bloggers, sporting legends and food enthusiasts. They’re the biggest social media stars of the Gympie region. See who made the list:
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A decade ago, the word “influencer” would have likely had a totally different meaning to most people.
Now, with the evolution of online platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Twitter and Instagram, the term social media influencer has become an everyday phenomenon and career.
As the industry grows, more people are realising how it’s possible to make a living by sharing personal experiences online, collaborating with other creators and doing brand sponsorships.
From mummy bloggers who share their best tips on raising a family in the modern world to TikTok stars and sporting legends, these are the top Gympie region social media stars of 2021.
1. Jody Allen - Stay at Home Mum (539,000 followers)
As a stay-at-home mum blogger turned global entrepreneur, Gympie mother-of-two Jody Allen is an inspiration to others in adopting digital technologies to create a thriving online business.
Jody operates her website Stay at Home Mum from Gympie and has employed a team of employees who help run the online space.
Jody said she first got into websites as the existing parent blogs were “too sterile and unrealistic”.
“I wanted to read content by real people in real situations,” Jody told The Gympie Times.
“I wanted to read about other mums who gave their kids weetbix for dinner occasionally.”
Jody has wanted to write since she was a child and said she learned from the best - Councillor Bob Fredman when she worked for him.
“I’m so lucky to write full-time professionally,” she said.
Through Stay at Home Mum, Jody has been able to inspire more than 1 million mums and provide them with them a non-judgemental place to access helpful and hilarious content.
Stay at Home Mum just won a silver at the QLD/NT 2021 AusMumpreneur Awards.
2. Caitlyn Shadbolt - Musician (56,000 followers)
Gympie’s country pop darling Caitlyn Shadbolt is active on social media and regularly updates her 56,000 followers on Facebook and 32,000 followers on Instagram.
Shadbolt became famous after placing fifth on The X Factor Australia and releasing her debut extended album in 2015, which peaked at number 50 on the charts.
She uses her platform to post about her upcoming albums, tours and other personal experiences she wants to share.
3. Elise Nicholson - Lisey Nicho on TikTok (47,000 followers)
When Elise, 16, posted a TikTok she filmed while on one of the Gympie Show’s terrifying 40m-high rides and it went viral, receiving more than 1.6 (now 4.9) million views, she couldn’t believe it.
The former James Nash student and model said she has been creating videos on the app since 2016, and wasn’t expecting her video taken on a ride at the Gympie Show to get as much love as it did.
“It didn’t really cross my mind to make a TikTok with the footage until one of my friends said to me, ‘It would be so awesome for people to see what it’s like up there, the people who were too scared to go on it’, I thought that was a pretty cool idea so I posted it,” Miss Nicholson said.
“I just post what makes me happy and things that my friends might like to see.
“I like that it‘s so easy to reach people from around the world, see what they’re doing and what their lives are like.”
4. Bruce Devereaux - Big Family Little Income (45,000 followers)
Gympie councillor Bruce Devereaux runs one of the biggest dad blogs in Australia, Big Family Little Income, and has been for the past decade.
His website and Facebook page cover everything from easy recipes to discussions on parenting and often have readers in stitches of laughter.
5. Renita Henry-May - Foodie Mumma Ren (17,000 followers)
Foodie Mumma Ren was established as a way for Renita Henry-May to share her love and passion for all things food.
She is a mother of two, a wife of a FIFO electrician and a Kilkivan teacher by day.
Foodie Mumma Ren has slowly evolved into a wonderful community of like-minded people who come together to share their food and love of recipes.
The blog was a finalist for the national 2020 AusMumpreneur Awards in the Author and People’s Choice Leadership categories.
6. Melissa Walker Horn - Suger Coat It (15,000 followers)
Melissa, known by her followers as Suger, is a Gympie woman and owner of social media agency Chalkboard Digital.
Suger started blogging in 2009 as a way to capture her everyday life and develop self-awareness and confidence.
“Journalling never really stuck for me, but making it public meant it became a habit and practice,” Suger told The Gympie Times.
“I love it because when I share things that I’m going through or are challenging me, there’s a community of people who support me, who have been where I am and together we keep getting better.”
7. Mal Dodt - Gympie the real treasure is the town (11,000 followers)
Gympie resident Mal Dodt created a Facebook page where he shares positive aspects of Gympie and the history of the beautiful region.
He has perfected his photography skills and showcases his own photos on the Facebook page which is loved by many locals.
8. Renee Priem - Blogger (6000 followers)
Renee is a make-up artist, technology teacher and blogger who lives in Gympie. She uses the platform of Instagram to share her life with her 6000 followers, sharing content about fashion, beauty and food.
She is a brand ambassador for Arbonne skincare.
Renee is also a mother of two boys and shares her parenting advice for fellow parents.
9. Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui - NRL player (2000 followers)
Tino is a rugby league footballer who plays as a lock, prop and second-row forward for the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL, and is a Maroon in the Queensland State of Origin side.
He previously played for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League between 2019 and 2020.
Tino was raised in Widgee in the Gympie region and attended James Nash State High School, learning how to play footy in the Gympie junior league.
10. Courtney Sauer - Life With Courtney (1000 followers)
Courtney lives in the Gympie region on a farm and runs a public Instagram blog.
She is a mother and animal lover and posts about both on her profile.
Courtney also uses the IGTV feature to speak to her followers about different topics and things she is going through.
11. Amy Little - Little Aims (600 followers)
Amy Littleis a Gympie mum, wife and coffee lover. She has an Instagram account where she posts about her life experiences in the hopes it will inspire others.
Amy is an ambassador of Young Living Essential Oils and promotes the brand on her profile.
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