Mackay and Whitsunday’s rising social media stars of 2022 named
From sporting stars dominating on TikTok, to breathtaking beaches and stunning portraits, Mackay and Whitsunday’s top social media influencers for 2022 have been named.
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It can be an unrelenting lifestyle of perfection and publicity, but for some of Mackay and Whitsunday’s rising social media stars, the journey is worth it.
For semi-professional footballer and personal trainer Tom Baulch, the rise to fame through TikTok has made him a prominent social influencer who uses his platform to promote his work.
His main account (@primetrain) has amassed more than 160,300 followers, while his two Instagram accounts (@tombaulchy and @primetrain) have 28,000 fans between them.
Baulch uses his social platform to provide fitness and training advice to his followers, with a background in biomechanics, nutrition and personal training.
He said he loved his job and the social media presence reflected that.
“It’s a good thing, I really enjoy the work but it’s hard to balance your business and the pleasure side of life,” Baulch said.
“Having a bit of fun is fun, Prime Training is the way I’ve been able to grow a social following but I have fun outside of that.
“The platforms on social media have allowed me to grow my business, which is really cool to see.”
Baulch grew up in the sugar city, playing his football with Mackay City Hawks, but he moved to Noosa and started Prime Training in 2019.
He said the chance to start his own business and mix with professional athletes was a highlight of the job.
“I help train a lot of athletes who either are in professional programs or are trying to reach that level,” he said.
“But there’s a lot of people who just want to train and be healthy so there’s that too.”
Here are 19 of Mackay and Whitsunday’s social media stars to follow in 2022:+
Juanita McEwan (@jnitamacphoto)
FOLLOWERS: 2151 on Instagram
CONTENT: Mackay and Whitsundays photographer
Juanita is a photographer who specialises in beachside and natural family portraits.
The photographer, based in Mackay and the Whitsundays, is fully booked until May 2022 but publishes her works on Instagram.
Matty Richardson (@matty.fishing)
FOLLOWERS: 2670 on Instagram
CONTENT: Fishing
Matty is a Mackay-based angler who specialises in catch-and-release fishing.
Matty’s Instagram page shows he travels across the Mackay and Whitsunday regions to find the best fishing spots.
From Eungella and Teemburra Dams to Pioneer River, Matty catches a variety of fish and shares the results of his labour on Instagram.
Daejarn Asi (@daejarnasi —)
FOLLOWERS: 3534 on Instagram
CONTENT: Rugby League
Daejarn Asi is a member of the North Queensland Cowboys, and regularly features for the Mackay Cutters in the QRL.
Playing in the backs, Asi is a consistent performer for Mackay when he is not selected for the Cowboys.
Jerron Jamerson (@rondoinwork)
FOLLOWERS: 3571 on Instagram
CONTENT: Basketball
Jerron Jamerson is a starting guard for the Mackay Meteors in the NBL1.
A star for the side, Jamerson was the Finals MVP in the grand final series against Cairns in 2021.
Jamerson is also dating Meteorettes star Chelsea Brook.
Victoria Pounendis (@victoriapounendis)
FOLLOWERS: 2508 on Instagram, 1333 on TikTok
CONTENT: Lifestyle
Victoria Pounendis is a South Australian who moved to the Whitsundays in 2021.
She now uses her social media to show off her tropical lifestyle while living on Hamilton Island.
Victoria has grown a following of almost 4000 across her social media, with stunning backdrops in a lot of her photos the envy of her friends back in South Australia.
Anne Marie (@annemarie — fishing —)
FOLLOWERS: 3931 on Instagram
CONTENT: Fishing
Anne Marie is a Mackay angler who is constantly on a river edge or a boat with a line in the water.
Showing off a variety of fish, as well as picturesque views of Mackay’s shoreline and calm beaches, Ms Marie has hauled in an impressive number of followers.
She is regularly published in the New World Angler magazine for her impressive catches.
Katie Hage (@ktttthage)
FOLLOWERS: 4457 on Instagram
CONTENT: Lifestyle
The owner of Kt Hage Brows and Beauty, Katie Hage is a Mackay businesswoman with a popular following.
Often teaming up with her son Carter for photos, Ms Hage lives a lavished lifestyle, enjoying travel, the beach and activities around the Mackay and Whitsunday regions.
Her business’ Instagram account (@kthage — beauty) has 1349 followers, with the popular beauty therapist running the salon in South Mackay.
Lauren Bella (@laurenn — bella)
FOLLOWERS: 4751 on Instagram
CONTENT: AFLW and Lifestyle
The Gold Coast Suns AFLW star has made a name for herself on the football field, but has amassed a following on social media as well.
Bella is the starting ruck for the Suns, having moved down from Sarina to chase a football career.
She uses her Instagram to show off her Gold Coast lifestyle, as well as plenty of training and match-day photos.
Em Osbourne (@kiss — and — release)
FOLLOWERS: 5052 on Instagram
CONTENT: Fishing
The Mackay mum is a keen angler, found fishing in the region’s rivers and beaches to catch big fish.
Along with her husband Lenny, the pair pull in a variety of catches.
Ms Osbourne is interested in catch-and-release fishing, rarely keeping her catches.
Monique Pattinson (@moniquepatttison)
FOLLOWERS: 2158 on Instagram, 2907 on TikTok
CONTENT: Fitness and travel
The former Melburnian left her home town and moved to the Whitsundays in 2021.
Now living in tropical Queensland, Ms Pattinson shows off her island-hopping lifestyle, coupled with motivating gym videos.
No two days are the same for Ms Pattinson, who has posted videos at Finch Hatton, Whitehaven Beach, Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach and in the gym.
Shianna Peacock and Jesse Morton (@yourippa — adventures)
FOLLOWERS: 5098 on Instagram
CONTENT: Fishing and Adventures
Jesse and Shianna run a shared adventures Instagram account with more than 5000 followers.
The pair travel across North Queensland in a four-wheel drive, with fishing, hunting and camping high on the agenda.
The pair’s dog Flip has travelled with them on hunting trips, but the 12 year old retired in early February, 2022.
Yourippa — adventures also sells merchandise, with fishing shirts particularly popular.
Jess and Colby Gospel (@jessandcolby)
FOLLOWERS: 6397 on Instagram
CONTENT: Travel
The travelling husband and wife document their adventures with their two dogs, Jimmy and Fred.
Exploring the Mackay and Whitsunday regions, the industrial electrician and marine biologist high school teacher share their best spots to see.
Their pair of pooches also have an Instagram account called @jimmy.and.fred.
Meganne West (@megannewest)
FOLLOWERS: 4735 on Instagram, 3418 on TikTok
CONTENT: Lifestyle
The Hamilton Island resident uses her social media platforms to share everyday experiences from her tropical paradise.
Ms West moved to the resort island in 2021 and said on her TikTok it was the “best thing I ever did”.
She has amassed more than 8000 followers across her social media, often portraying both the beautiful islands and a party lifestyle.
Tegan Faust (@teganfaust)
FOLLOWERS: 10.4k on Instagram
CONTENT: Vlog, lifestyle, fitness, business
The World Champ Figure Pro owns and operates Womens Well Co, a pilates, barre, remedial massage therapy, pregnancy and post-partum services’ business in Proserpine.
Recently married, Tegan is a mum of three who talks about juggling mumhood and business with lifestyle and fitness photos also posted.
Chris Leverington (@escapewithchris)
FOLLOWERS: 16.2k on Instagram
CONTENT: Lifestyle and travel
The adventure photographer has enjoyed success off the back of Instagram, posting stunning photos of Australia’s natural beauty.
From deserts and forests to beaches and islands, Mr Leverington has no limit of inspiration for beautiful photos.
Lara Louise (@itslaralouise)
FOLLOWERS: 34.6k on Instagram
CONTENT: Lifestyle, fitness
The Miss Swimsuit USA International is a self-described “shower singer”, “avid chocolate milk enthusiast” and new mum.
Lara’s social media presence blossomed thanks to her modelling career and has since morphed to include her lifestyle in the Whitsundays as she shared her journey to becoming a first-time mum.
Mark Fitz (@_markfitz)
FOLLOWERS: 94.7k on Instagram
CONTENT: Travel
The Mackay photographer was named at top spot in Tourism Queensland’s ‘18 travel bloggers you need to follow in 2018’.
Since then, Mark Fitz has built his following on Instagram to 94.7k followers, showing off the picturesque tropical paradises he calls home.
In an interview with Tourism Queensland, he said he wanted to help put Mackay on the tourism map.
“Instagram is a great way to spread awareness of destinations and it’s an important tool in helping inspire people to visit a region,” Mark said.
“With so many users on there, everyday new potential visitors are being exposed to places that they have never heard of before.
“Regions like Mackay can become a must visit destination simply because of its ‘instagrammable’ experiences that aren’t available elsewhere such as the kangaroos and wallabies on the beach at Cape Hillsborough.”
Brooke Nash (@brookenashhh)
FOLLOWERS: 122k on Instagram,
CONTENT: Lifestyle
Brooke was a finalist for Miss Universe as a 19 year old back in 2011, and since then the former St Patrick’s College student is keeping busy on the Gold Coast and social media.
She has posed for magazines such as Galore, Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar, and appeared in ad campaigns including Bose and Beats by Dre.
In July 2021 she had a baby boy named Banksy with her partner Gareth Davies.
Tom Baulch (@primetrain)
FOLLOWERS: 27k on Instagram, 160.1k on TikTok
CONTENT: Fitness and Lifestyle
The former Mackay fitness influencer, who now lives in Noosa and plays Australian rules football in Darwin, has made the news recently after he was filmed drinking a beer during an NTFL match.
The 22 year old was suspended for two games for having a swig out of a can while the ball was down the other end of the ground.
When he is not making headlines for on-field shenanigans, Baulch is a fitness model and professional athlete trainer.
He recently signed with Musashi Nutrition as a fitness coach, and has his own fitness coaching page called Prime Training.
On his personal and gym Instagram accounts, Baulch has 11k and 16k followers respectively, while he has amassed a following of 160.1k on TikTok.
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