Nicolas Fertin, Greg Williamson, Tony Caruso, others named on Mackay’s rich list

They are the silent cash achievers in the community, earning the big bucks in business to mining. Now, some of Mackay’s rich list can be named and ranked.

From politicians to executives, mining to exports, Mackay has its fair share of the wealthy and powerful in its community.

These are some of Mackay’s highest-earning public figures.

10. Greg Williamson – Mackay Regional Council Mayor

He’s Mackay’s everywhere man; a public figure who treats a cheque presentation with the same importance as a delegation from Canberra.

After a series of senior roles in corporate business throughout Queensland, he decided to put his experience to use in his home town – hoping to secure a strong future for generations to come as part of his legacy.

More recently, he has played a role in linking the Mackay and Isaac tourism organisations to put the region on the map as a travel destination and was integral in forming the new Regional Queensland Council of Mayors to offer a united voice to State Government on issues affecting the north of the state.

Mayor Greg Williamson Mackay. Picture: Michaela Harlow

As mayor, he has also been at the helm of the Local Disaster Management Group during Cyclone Debbie in 2017, the Pioneer Valley bushfires in 2018 and the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

In the 2019-20 financial year, Cr Williamson earned $179,481 in salary, as well as $21,538 in superannuation.

He also paid expenditures of $7606 for conferences, $7179 for vehicle costs and $3737 for other support, totalling $219,541.

9. Amanda Camm – Whitsunday MP

A former Mackay deputy mayor with a background steeped in the region’s industry of agriculture and tourism, the Whitsunday MP has deftly made the transition from local to state politics.

Ms Camm is enjoying a rapid rise through the LNP ranks, having ousted former MP Jason Costigan and stepping up to fight for a fair share of funding and policy critical to her electorate – tourism.

Ms Camm is the Opposition spokeswoman for Women’s Economic Security, Child Protection, and Prevention of Domestic, family and Sexual Violence.

Ms Camm’s current salary is $234,400.

8. Julie Rampton – MHHS Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery

Ms Rampton has worked for Queensland Health for 35 years, with more than 20 of those in senior nursing roles.

She was the director of nursing at Maryborough Base Hospital before moving to Mackay.

In the 2019-20 financial year, Ms Rampton earned $234,000 as a base salary, as well as a ‘long-term employee expense’ of $5000 and $19,000 in superannuation.

Ms Rampton earned a total of $258,000 for the financial year.

7. George Christensen – Dawson MP

The sometimes controversial and outspoken Dawson MP will finish his role as Dawson MP at the next Federal Election.

Mr Christensen has been a strong advocate for the growth of the Mackay region, with the outgoing MP offering a “final gift” to help transform the waterfront along the Pioneer River.

Dawson MP George Christensen. Picture: Liam Kidston

In 2020, Mr Christensen earned about $211,250 as his salary, with $46,000 of electorate allowance.

He also has the option to receive an extra $19,500 in electorate allowance in lieu of a private-plated car.

6. Julieanne Gilbert – Assistant Regional Health Infrastructure Minister

Mrs Gilbert is the State Labor MP in Mackay, as well as the Assistant Regional Health Infrastructure Minister.

She is an ardent advocate for Mackay, finding a way to identify opportunities for the region in announcements often considered Brisbane or southeast Queensland-centric.

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mrs Gilbert has secured critical funding for the Sarina Hospital and is currently the Health and Regional Health Infrastructure assistant minister.

The current salary for Assistant ministers in Queensland is $260,200, which was increased in June from $243,414.

It was the first of three pay rises scheduled in 15 months for Queensland MPs.

5. Lisa Davies Jones – MHHS Chief Executive

Ms Davies Jones has worked in a number of senior leadership positions within healthcare organisations in both Queensland and the United Kingdom.

She joined Mackay Hospital and Health Service from the Department of Health, with former work including the Chief Executive role at the North West Hospital and Health Service in Mt Isa.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service Lisa Davies Jones.

Ms Davies Jones earned $278,000 as a base salary in the 2019-20 financial year, with an included $11,000 in non-monetary benefits.

She also received $6000 in ‘long-term employee benefits’ and $24,000 in superannuation, resulting in a total of $319,000.

4. Nicolas Fertin – North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited CEO

Chocolate brought him to Australia and now he’s home is in the sugar city, but it’s not just the sweet stuff that moves through the operations Nicolas Fertin oversees.

The North Queensland Bulk Ports CEO is responsible for world-class working port facilities at Hay Point, Mackay, Abbot Point and Weipa, collectively through which more than half of Queensland trade by tonnage passes.

Mr Fertin steered NQBP to a strong finish to the financial year, delivering $7.1 million profit against a 6.6 per cent decrease in trade throughput that resulted in a 13.5 per cent decrease in revenue.

Mr Fertin was working with Mars when he moved with his family from France to Australia more than 23 years ago and optimised the chocolate bar company’s supply chains.

In the 2019-20 financial year, Mr Fertin earned $400,000 in salary, $3000 in non-monetary benefits and $30,000 bonus, as well as receiving $16,000 for unused annual leave.

His superannuation benefit was $41,000, bringing his total earnings for the year to $490,000.

3. Philip Reasbeck – MHHS Chief Medical Officer

Professor Philip Reasbeck was the Executive Director of Medical Services, as well as the Chief Medical Officer, at Ballarat Health Services for more than five years before moving to Mackay.

After receiving his medical degree from the University of Cambridge, Mr Reasbeck worked in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Hong Kong before moving to Australia.

In the 2019-20 financial year, Mr Reasbeck made $497,000 as a base salary, with $11,000 of ‘long-term employee expenses’ and $39,000 of superannuation.

Mr Reasbeck made a total of $547,000 in the 2019-20 financial year.

2. Dr David Farlow – MHHS Executive Director Research and Innovation

Dr Farlow arrived in Mackay in 1984, finding work in the Mackay health service with a passion for rural and remote medicine.

He was a rural generalist for 25 years before moving into the role of Executive Director Clinical Services for Mackay Health and Hospital Service from 2007.

In 2015, Dr Farlow took a year-long sabbatical in New Zealand before returning to Mackay for a position as Executive Director Research and Innovation, as well as beginning a role at James Cook University as Clinical Dean Mackay School.

In the 2019-20 financial year, Dr Farlow earned $504,000 for his salary, as well as $11,000 as a ‘long-term employee expense’ and $37,000 in superannuation.

He made a total of $552,000 in the 2019-20 financial year.

1. Tony Caruso – Mastermyne Managing Director

The Mastermyne managing director and CEO is steering the 25 year old company in reviving mothballed mining operations, creating more jobs and feeding the state’s thirsty economy.

Under his leadership, Mastermyne identified and is capitalising on the coal market transition from major multinationals to junior miners, and was labelled the sector’s ‘master of opportunity’.

Mr Caruso played a critical role in establishing the world-class Resources Centre of Excellence for which he holds a board director position.

Mastermyne in 2021 secured a $600 million contract to revive operations at Sojitz’s Gregory Crinum Mine, and $60 million Aquila extension.

The contracts put Mastermyne’s order book at a staggering $1.1 billion.

In the 2020-21 financial year, Mr Caruso earned $500,209 in salary and fees, as well as a $353,414 cash bonus.

Non-monetary benefits of $15,000, superannuation of $75,884, employee entitlements of $27,908 and share based payment rights of $126,481 led to a total annual earning of $1,098,896.