Full list: 30 of Ipswich’s most influential identities under 30 revealed
From world class athletes, neuroscientists, to on-the-ground local legends – here’s a list of Ipswich’s most powerful identities all under the age of 30 who are inspiring others, and breaking down barriers.
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Queensland’s oldest provincial city has long been ground zero for movers and shakers from a range of backgrounds determined to make the world a better place and fuelled by their tenacity to succeed.
From world class athletes, and neuroscientists, to local legends on the ground supporting and uplifting the community – The Queensland Times has compiled a list to highlight and honour locals under 30 who deserve recognition for their hard work.
COMMUNITY MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Groundbreaking Neuroscientist Dr Heidi Walkden
Former Goodna Pharmacy Technician Dr Heidi Walkden was named in the Forbes Asia 30 under 30 list after she made a groundbreaking discovery which may help millions of people across the globe.
Neuroscientist Dr Walkden was one of three Australians to make the prestigious list.
The 2022 Young Queensland of the year nominee uncovered a new pathway in which bacteria can quickly move from the nasal cavity to the brain and spinal cord.
The medical advancement may help scientists gain a better understanding of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Dr Walkden is also involved in the outreach project ‘That’s RAD! Science’ which aims to break down traditional barriers and get more young girls and women involved in science.
Community Leader & Creative Danielle Leedie Gray
Community powerhouse and graphic designer Danielle Leedie Gray is an innovative artist determined to empower and educate others through her work.
Ms Grey’s bold and contemporary art which is steeped in the Bidjara and Wakka Wakka woman’s cultural roots, gives a voice to the world’s oldest surviving culture while holding space for empathy and family.
The dedicated and community minded mother volunteers her time at early education centres and the local Indigenous health service Kambu to help support and better educate the broader community.
Ms Gray’s art has been featured in Australian Home and Garden Magazine and she was crowned Ipswich’s 2020 Cultural Person of the Year.
Charity Founder Darcy Witherspoon
Fuelled by a desire to make lasting change, former St Edmund’s College Darcy Witherspoon founded the charity Down to Earth to ensure those suffering from homelessness had access to food.
With multiple food vans on the road, the charity founder has fed thousands of people from Ipswich to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
With a large focus on sustainability, Mr Witherspoon’s charity is funded by recycling cans and bottles and puts discarded items such as clothing and flawed groceries to use.
Community Powerhouse Ripley Tuuta
For close to a decade Ripley Tuuta has dedicated her time to help support Ipswich’s youth and creating memorable community events.
Ms Tuuta started volunteering at the Leichhardt One Mile Community Centre when she was just 14-years-old, which didn’t go unnoticed by the Ipswich City Council who awarded the hard working and community minded powerhouse Young Citizen of the year in 2020.
Ms Tuuta also helped the Riverview Neighbourhood House organise fundraisers and family friendly events.
Charity worker Tamara Whiting
Highly dedicated Charity worker Tamara Whiting played a large role in promoting mental health services and helping youth across the Ipswich district.
Ms Whiting developed the not-for-profit service Cunnara Paiabun Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation which offers support to vulnerable members of the community in a culturally sensitive way.
The Cunnara Paiabun mission, seeks to support people in need, at risk, and vulnerable to help elevate feelings of hopelessness through a range of services and referral pathways.
Youth Worker & Jets Gun Kierran Moseley
Jets hooker Kierran Moseley is deadly on and off the footy field, spending time as a youth worker to help the next generation navigate life in a healthy way.
Through his role at Deadly Choices Moseley shares his life experience with teens in hopes to have a lasting impact on their lifestyle choices in a bid to put a dent in harmful behaviours.
Community worker Blake Wesbro
Ipswich 2021 Citizen of the Year Blake Wesbro dedicates his time to helping vulnerable members of the community and provide the support they need.
Mr Wesbro works for the essential NDIS Registered Aboriginal Disability Service Provider, Wesbro, and spearheads the Ipswich Black Coffee network which helps to connect and empower local Indigenous businesses.
Enviro Warrior Riley Hodgson
Ipswich eco warrior Riley Hodgson has been helping clean up the city and help feed the region’s homeless since he was 10-years-old.
Working on weekends and after school Riley helped local businesses recycle to better the environment and donate hundreds worth of food and goods to the homelessness charity Goodna Street Life.
In 2019, the Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School student collected more than 12,000 containers for the cause.
Mental Health Advocate Hannah Hyatt
Driven mental health advocate Hannah Hyatt has long been a role model for Ipswich’s youth, nabbing the Citizen of the Year award in 2018.
Ms Hyatt is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and helping young people break through stigmas.
The peer support worker previously volunteered countless hours of her time at Ipswich Headspace to help the city’s youths tackle complex mental health challenges.
Ipswich Citizen of the year Alexandria Walker
Ipswich Girls Grammar School graduate Alexandria Walker was recognised for her work in helping young people connect with organisations and charities.
With Walker’s help many up and coming youngsters have successfully gained employment and agency.
Ms Walker was involved with the Ipswich Youth Advisory Council and was named Ipswich’s 2022 Young Citizen of the year.
FORCES OF NATURE
Advocate & Comedian Kieran McLeod
Brain cancer advocate Kieran McLeod is a force of nature who brings so much laughter to the community while raising awareness and funds for a serious disease close to his heart.
The comedian was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour when he was 13 years old, although it hasn’t slowed him down.
Mr McLeod has organised a number of fundraisers to help find a cure for children suffering from brain cancer.
In August 2018 Kieran organised the inaugural Walk for Brain Cancer which raised over $15,000, and more recently the 1500 Burpees in November Challenge in 2021 which raised $550.
Business Owner Joshua Poole
Business owner Joshua Poole has motivated thousands after successfully launching his own small business - Coffee by Josh at Haigslea.
The small business owner is a trailblazer inspiring countless community members not to let an intellectual impairment hold them back from their dreams.
Lipedema & Endometriosis Warrior Finau Suliana
Social media influencer and body positivity advocate Finau Suliana has used her epic social media reach to advocate and bring awareness to two causes close to her heart - lipedema and endometriosis.
The social media queen has provided a voice, agency, and strength to countless women through her message of self-love and body positivity which smashes through unrealistic and outdated ideals of what the female body should and shouldn’t look like.
Coach & Influencer Brandon Swan
CrossFit athlete, devoted dad, social influencer and business man Brandon Swan inspires his 24.1k Instagram followers to push past physical and mental barriers and reach their physical and professional goals.
Mr Swan launched his own business empire which includes a fitness membership and merchandise.
INSPIRATIONAL SPORTING GUNS
World Number 1. Ash Barty
When it comes to a list of Ipswich’s most powerful and influential, one can’t go past the world’s number one tennis player Ash Barty.
At 25, Barty has taken out two Grand Slams, has been world No.1 for two years and the reigning Wimbledon champion – making her one of the greatest Australian sports stories of this era.
As one of Australia’s greatest tennis players of all time, Barty embodies the grit, determination, and humble beginnings of many Ipswich players, and is set to inspire many generations to come.
Rugby Gun Luke Keary
Ipswich’s very own rugby legend Luke Keary started his sporting career playing for Ipswich Brothers before moving state at age 10.
The Australian rugby league gun plays at an international level for the Sydney Roosters, and won a NRL Premiership in 2014 for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said having Keary on board for 2022 may be the difference between the club winning or losing the club’s third title.
Soccer Star Allira Toby
The sky’s the limit for professional soccer player from Brassall Allira Toby, who has played alongside Australia’s best in the W-League.
From 2016 to 2020 Toby was the only Indigenous player on the Roar’s W-League roster and is determined for more Indigenous players to follow in her footsteps.
While playing for Brisbane Roar in 2017-2018, the national star won a W-League grand final and was twice awarded the club’s golden boot.
Worlds Fastest Jude Thomas
Ipswich’s unstoppable athlete Jude Thomas broke two 40 year records in the span of weeks, smashing the Queensland’s 3km open championships race in 2021.
The Karalee runner is a ring in as a future Olympian and was recognised as one of Australia’s most exciting up and coming athletes who is set to dominate the world one leg at a time.
The major track and cross country events winner was ranked the fifth fastest in the world for the under-20 track 3000m race.
Future Olympian Ella Ramsay
The daughter of Sydney Olympian Heath Ramsay, Ella Ramsay, has been making waves in the pool since 2017.
The young swimmer is set to rival her dad’s success and is determined to represent Australia on the world stage.
In May 2021, Ella won an impressive 14 medals at the Australian Age Championships.
Up & Coming NRL Star Jeriah Vagana
2022 proved to be an exciting year for Bellbird Park all-rounder Jeriah Vagana after signing a two-year contract with the Gold Coast Titans.
The former Ipswich Jets player is a force of nature across many sports including, athletics, rugby union, rugby league and tag.
In 2021, Vagana was nominated to attend the Western Ranges Track and Field trials and received a full scholarship and rugby league scholarship at Ipswich State High.
Mentor & Talented Cricketer Darcy Smith
Bundamba cricketer and mentor Darcy Smith, 13, exhibits extraordinary bowling and batting talent for such a young player.
Smith scored a spot in the Stormers under-12 state team in 2021 and played an impressive season at his local club where he had the highest run scorer for his age group (532).
The Bundamba Strollers team captain also took out the batting aggregate for the 2021 Cricket Ipswich competition.
Jiu Jitsu Champion Sabbath Smrecnik
Three-time international Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Pan Pacific champion Sabbath Smrecnik, 18, has a number of titles under his belt.
The tenacious and determined fighter has trained for more than 10 years and has taken out a number of state, national, and international wins.
At just 16, the assistant instructor at Infinity Martial Arts Springfield competed in the adult division and won two gold medals.
Despite his commitment to training, the young athlete had excelled at school and devoted countless hours to help raise money for local charity events.
Record Breaker Shaylen Lowe
Brassall archer Shaylen broke an Australian record at the 3DAAA Queensland Championship.
At the state 2021 competition, the young shooter had two perfect scores, and a final score of 298/300 – smashing the Australian record.
Although her sights may be set on becoming a marine biologist, the talented shooter also hopes to move to the US and obtain an Archery Scholarship to further her sporting career.
Heptathlon Champion Charlize Goody
Ipswich and District Athletic Club record breaker Charlize Goody is at the top of her game after being crowned the national under-16 heptathlon champion in 2021.
At the 2020 Queensland championships Goody smashed the competition, winning gold, silver and five bronze medals.
When she’s not smashing personal bests, Goody mentors young athletes at the Ipswich and District Athletic Club and Ipswich Little Athletics Centre.
National Hockey Star Zac Profke
Rising Ipswich hockey player Zac Profke was promoted to the Australian under-21 hockey team in 2021.
The dedicated and talented young sportsman was given the opportunity to play at a higher level after he was chosen to join the prestigious Australian Burras seven-day training camp.
The former St Edmund’s College student has sights set on becoming an elite Australian Kookaburras player.
Dancer & Influencer Khadijah Warren
Raceview social media queen and professional dancer Khadijah Warren has been slaying the ballroom scene dancing from the age of eight.
In 2012, the talented dancer took out major titles against competitors twice her age and was named the Australasian Champion, Queensland Open Champion, and Pro-Amateur.
The social media mogul has garnered a large following on Instagram (10.4k) and YouTube (33.7k) where she blogs about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.
BRIGHT FUTURES, BRIGHTER MINDS
Future healer Madeleine Smit
West Moreton Anglican College student Madeleine Smit has an extraordinary mind and drive which nabbed her first place in one Queensland’s most challenging maths competitions.
Motivated by a need to help others, Ms Smit has he sights set on following in the steps of her grandfather and great grandfather and becoming a doctor.
Future Educator Tahlia Marshall
Ipswich State High School 2021 captain Tahlia Marshall was determined to carve a path for other students after helping break a Brassall school record with the appointment of the largest Indigenous leadership cohort since its establishment in 1936.
Ms Marshall told the QT in 2021 she set out to empower other young girls by leading by example and said her time with the Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy was key to her personal growth.
With her eye set on an education degree Ms Marshall’s journey to mentoring the next generation of powerful Indigenous girls has only just begun.
Future Performer Hamish Cassidy
New graduate Hamish Cassidy cleaned up at Ipswich Grammar School awards night and landed the first step on the way to realising his dream – a place at the Queensland Conservatorium studying classical clarinet.
Hamish was one of the school’s top performing academic students after being awarded the Dux every year from Year 7 to Year 12.
Although, with his passion deeply rooted in classical music there’s no doubt Hamish is set to become an epic performer.
Go-getter Stella Walsh
West Moreton Anglican College the Junior School Captain Stella Walsh excels at everything she puts her mind to and was recognised with the Year 4 to 6 Academic Encouragement Award.
With a rich extra-curricular life, Stella is involved in the school’s swimming squad, Bella Voice choir, Concert Band, and the Junior School Dance Crew.
The young go-getter is keen to be a compassionate role model for younger students and help raise money for community causes close to her heart.
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