Top 30 most influential people in Gympie for 2022 revealed
From the men and women who protect, to those who inform us and inspire us, these are the 10 next most influential people in the Gympie region for 2022. See #20-11 of the list here.
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The Gympie region is home to many influential, successful and powerful characters.
After another tough year, including Covid resurgences and devastating flooding, these movers and shakers have cemented themselves as champions of the region in 2022, influencing lives, careers and the future shape of the region.
From politicians to activists, business owners to artists and everything in between, these are the 30 most influential people in the Gympie region for 2022.
#Flashback: Gympie’s Most Influential of 2021 revealed
We’ll be rolling out the list over the next three days, with the top 10 most influential people of the Gympie region to be revealed on Wednesday, December 7.
30 under 30: Gympie’s most impressive young guns revealed
Numbers 30 to 21 of the 2022 Power 30 list can be viewed here.
#20 Caz and Matthew Crane
This Sunshine Coast couple have transformed the face of Woolooga with their five new businesses breathing economic life into the small township and making it a place people need to visit.
The Cranes moved to the region in 2020 and bought the historic Woolooga Trader building on Thomas St in June 2021, transforming it into a commercial hub.
Little more than six months later they lost everything in flash flooding, but rebuilt and in early May 2022, opened their fifth and final venture: the Woolooga Longyard bar and grill.
The Cranes’ other shops in the precinct are a grocer and cafe, an animal feed and rural supply store, a hairdresser and a bed and breakfast, throwing the doors of the town open by offering a little of everything.
The Longyard was also runner-up New Business of the Year at the 2022 Gympie Business Awards.
#19 Hannah Johnston
Hannah Johnston was awarded Young Citizen of the Year in 2022 at the annual Gympie Australia Day Awards for her outstanding academic achievements and contribution to the community.
She was also recently voted by readers of The Gympie Times as the most influential person under 30 in the region.
The former St Patrick’s College student completed two university subjects on top of her final year at school and received an early offer at the University of the Sunshine Coast to study an Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science.
She also taught music to aspiring musicians of Gympie and has a passion for flower arranging.
This was all while living with Type One Diabetes, on top of pre-existing lifelong heart and medical conditions.
#18 Inspector Brad Inskip
After 25 years of policing experience, Inspector Brad Inskip has brought his drive to keep communities safe, prevent crime, harm and trauma to Gympie as its new Patrol Inspector.
Inspector Inskip has been a dedicated spokesman for the police force during both tragic and community events, including the desperate search for Tarci Carey and a horrific fatal mid-air plane collision at Kybong.
After he was sworn into the Queensland Police Service in 1998, Inspector Inskip worked at the Gold Coast, Mundingburra, Maroochydore, Brisbane, Mount Isa and Townsville.
He was appointed as the Gympie Patrol Group Inspector only four days before Gympie’s third 2022 flood disaster in May, and is the new District Disaster Coordinator for the South Burnett Local Disaster Management Group.
#17 Tony Goodman
A champion of Mary Street, Tony Goodman is a highly respected (Mary St) businessman and community leader in Gympie.
He was the driving force behind the hugely popular street festivals in Mary Street, which are now celebrated four times a year for Easter, Winter and twice at Christmas.
Mr Goodman has also been an outspoken advocate for the Gympie CBD after it was struck by devastating floods earlier this year.
He served as president of the Gympie Chamber of Commerce for three years, building its membership and attracting some of the biggest motivational and business speakers in the nation, before stepping down in 2021.
#16 Sergeant Bill Greer
Imbil’s top cop Sergeant Bill Greer has been a fixture in the Mary Valley for more than a decade, playing key roles in high profile investigations and working to keep the popular tourist spot safe.
In 2021, Sergeant Greer was named the Officer in Charge of the Imbil Police Station.
He has been involved in numerous high profile Mary Valley cases, including the tragic search for missing Sunshine Coast man Tarci Carey in August 2022, and the alleged murder of 22-year-old Michael Zanco in 2020.
He is part of the group which is helping steer the future of the proposed Borumba Dam pumped hydro power plant through his work as a member of Imbil Rural Watch.
#15 Aunty Lillian Burke
Aboriginal elder Aunty Lillian Burke is a staunch voice in the community fighting for the rights of and recognition for recognition the region’s Indigenous residents.
She has built a reputation as a fearless battler for change, with her list of accomplishments including being named one of the top four nominees for Queensland‘s Senior Australian of the Year in 2019, as well as being a Senior Fellow of the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Ms Burke is a descendant of the Butchulla people and was one of the stolen generation when authorities intervened “for her own good” and refused to allow her contact with her adopted nana. She has tirelessly advocated for change as a participant on more than 100 boards, committees and consultancy groups.
In 2022, she was part of a group which successfully pushed to have an unnamed Glastonbury Creek renamed Uncle Jimmys Creek in honour of a First Nations horseman.
#14 Cindy Vogels
Cindy Vogels makes the list at number 14 for her ongoing efforts to promote the region through her passion as a prominent Gympie artist, community advocate and owner of fashion brand Racy and Lucky
A lover of wearable art, Ms Vogels has made a name for herself on the world stage, when her spectacular feather crown was worn by international superstar Lady Gaga in a performance with Tony Bennett.
Back home, Ms Vogels has been an advocate for her local community. Most recently, she has partnered with Mary St trader Tony Goodman to bring life back to the CBD with art.
A multi-talented creative, Cindy is also an event producer and creative director, and has founded multiple events, including Space Girls Festival, which is committed to delivering 100% female programmed events.
#13 Anthony Lanskey
As the principal of Gympie’s largest high school, Anthony Lanskey’s influence has permeated the region through the thousands of graduates who are themselves now shaping the region and Australia.
Mr Lanskey’s passion for nurturing the region’s up-and-coming talent at Gympie State High School helped them win the 2018 TAFE Queensland Educator of the Year at the Gympie Chamber of Commerce business awards in 2022.
His influence has extended through his passion for rugby league, with Mr Lanskey holding various roles outside school including a presidential role with Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League.
Mr Lanskey helped put Gympie squarely on the map as a part owner of 2019 Melbourne Cup-winning racehorse Vow and Declare, and placing 10th in the 2022 Cup.
#12 Petra Van Beek
As president of the Gympie Chamber of Commerce, Petra Van Beek has been the commander of many Gympie events and connecting local businesses.
From celebrating the region’s business achievements to Mary Street fun and festivals, Ms Van Beek ensures the community has its share of networking events.
Ms Van Beek stepped up to the board in 2019 when she moved to Gympie with almost 30 years of experience working with companies and not-for-profit organisations.
She was elected president in December 2021.
Ms Van Beek’s position has put her at the forefront of major developments across the region, including as part of the committee helping steer the state government’s plans to open a multibillion-dollar pumped hydro plant at Borumba Dam.
She has an extensive background in human resources, and has worked across the globe including in the United States and United Kingdom.
#11 Scott Kovacevic
Scott Kovacevic is a tour de force in council reporting in regional journalism.
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As a senior reporter for The Gympie Times, Mr Kovacevic’s unwavering fight for council transparency has helped keep people across Gympie informed about what is happening with their local government.
Mr Kovacevic also shares his skills and knowledge across News Corps’ Wide Bay Burnett teams, to support and guide his fellow reporters.
With more than 26,000 followers on The Gympie Times Facebook page and a widespread reputation in council reporting, Mr Kovacevic has become the point of call for everyone when it comes to news about the Gympie Regional Council.
Since starting with The Gympie Times in 2016, Mr Kovacevic has been instrumental in bringing many otherwise-confidential council decisions and documents to the attention of the public.
Stay tuned as we roll out the next 10 Most Influential People tomorrow.
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