POWER 100: Coast’s most powerful people 60-41
THE Sunshine Coast 2018 Power 100 countdown continues today with 60-41 of the region’s most influential people of the past 12 months.
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THE Sunshine Coast 2018 Power 100 countdown continues today with 60-41 of the region’s most influential people of the past 12 months.
POWER 100: Coast’s most powerful people 80-61
POWER 100: Coast’s most powerful people 100-81
60. ROD FORRESTER
PROPERTY developer Rod Forrester founded FKP Property Group with his brother Des before forming FKP, where he served as managing director until 2003, overseeing the company’s listing on the ASX.
He and wife Jan are investors in ARIA, which is behind several key Coast developments.
The ARIA group owns and manages a $250-million portfolio of more than 60 retail, commercial and industrial investment properties.
59. MICHAEL DONOVAN
MR DONOVAN is well known for his voluntary contribution to several enterprises.
He was chairman of Tourism Noosa and is acknowledged as preserving it as an independent organisation.
He was also the inaugural chair of Noosa Biosphere Ltd.
Under his stewardship, the new model for The Original Eumundi Markets was established. He spent 20 years in arts and entertainment and was CEO of hotel chain Best Western.
58. SANDY BOLTON
THE Independent Noosa MP stood between the LNP and complete control of the Sunshine Coast at the last State Election.
The former Noosa councillor unseated long-time LNP Member Glen Elmes with a grassroots campaign that elevated her into a position of relative strength as one of a handful of crossbenchers.
Ms Bolton is also a tireless advocate for disability services and has served on a range of community banks.
57. RUSSELL STITZ
THE Buderim Foundation chairman is hoping to increase grants to local groups by raising investment capital to more than $2 million through the 2018 Community Challenge.
Since 2004, more than $383,000 has been allocated to 66 organisations.
He is also one of the country’s most highly-awarded clinicians and is respected worldwide for his leadership in the development of innovative healthcare solutions.
56. TOM OFFERMANN
THE real estate agent to the elite, Mr Offermann has been tasked with selling the Sunshine Coast’s most stunning properties for decades.
The established Noosa agent has dealt with celebrities, politicians and sporting heroes as they house hunt around Hastings St, playing part salesman, part-tourism advocate for the region.
He has also been a strong, long-time supporter of the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club and Noosa Coast Guard.
55. PETER PALLOT
THE Sunshine Coast Airport boss has overseen a massive expansion of the facility. Record numbers of national and international tourists through the airport has led to unprecedented growth.
A new runway, with the help of Sunshine Coast Council and the Federal Government, is currently under construction with more international flights from five destinations expected to boost the region’s tourist economy.
54. BRENDAN BURKETT
THE Professor of Sport Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Brendan Burkett’s expertise and experience in academia, sport, community and industry have influenced people of all ages and abilities across the Sunshine Coast and the world.
One of Australia’s most successful Paralympic swimmers, he has again been appointed head coach of the Australian Paralympic Swim Team. Mr Burkett turned his passion into an academic career.
53. BRETT DE CHASTEL
THE CEO of Noosa Shire Council, Mr de Chastel was the council’s corporate services director until its amalgamation with Maroochy and Caloundra councils in 2008.
When Noosa won the right to de-amalgamate from the regional council he applied for the top job. Today Mr de Chastel heads a team focused on not only providing services and infrastructure to residents but also ensuring Noosa retains its uniqueness.
52. GREG LAVERTY
AS DIRECTOR of economic development and major projects at Sunshine Coast Council, Mr Laverty’s focus is on the continued economic development of the Sunshine Coast.
He is playing a lead role in delivering the region’s major game-changer projects including the Sunshine Coast Airport expansion, the new Maroochydore City Centre, the Sunshine Coast Solar Farm and the International Broadband Submarine Cable.
51. MICHAEL SHADFORTH
THE managing director of Ray White Commercial North Coast Central, Michael Shadforth represents the next generation of the well-known Shadforth family, which has a long history and wealth of experience in development, project management, consulting and contracting throughout Australia.
Over his career, Mr Shadforth has established a number of manufacturing and produce-oriented businesses.
50. MAL PRATT
IF DEVELOPING property was all Mal Pratt did, he would already rank as an influential person on the Sunshine Coast. But there is much more to the head of Pratt Property.
One of Mr Pratt’s great loves has been the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club, where he is a life member and governor.
He has also had a great influence on the careers of many champions the club has produced through the Mal Pratt Youth Development Foundation.
49. JAN BECKER
JAN Becker may be a “high flyer”, running the largest helicopter flight academy in the southern hemisphere, but she also regularly volunteers to help Tanzanian midwives save the lives of newborn babies.
Captain Becker and her husband Mike founded Becker Helicopters in 1996 and now have a fleet of 18 Bell 206 turbine helicopters and a fixed-wing Duchess aircraft that they use to provide 15,000-18,000 hours of pilot training a year.
48. GEVA MENTOR
AS captain of the Sunshine Coast Lightning, which hoisted a second consecutive Super Netball trophy in the Australian National Netball League this year, English import Geva Mentor is an inspiration, not only to her teammates,but the Coast’s broader netball community.
Named Player of the Year for the 2017 Suncorp Super Netball season, Mentor was also the Lightning’s first Player of the Year. She has been a huge asset for the Coast.
47. CRAIG MATHESON
THE current chief of staff to Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson, Mr Matheson has previously worked as the council’s chief strategy officer and has also been acting deputy director-general during a 20-year career in State Government.
He is the Mayor’s right-hand man directly influencing council direction, giving advice on daily decision-making at the highest level and is involved in driving many of the region’s major projects.
46. RALPH DEVLIN
WHILE Ralph Devlin stamped his name in the annals of Queensland history during the Fitzgerald Inquiry of the 1980s, it is in surf lifesaving that he is probably best known these days. Mr Devlin was the Fitzgerald Inquiry’s special prosecutor from 1987-1992, to weed out corrupt police and politicians.
He served as president of Surf Life Saving Queensland from 2011-2016 and was a member of the board of Surf Life Saving Australia.
45. JEFF ADDISON
A TIRELESS campaigner, frustrated commuter and local resident, Mr Addison has been fighting for more than a decade for improved rail services.
Recent funding breakthroughs have seen $550 million of the $780- million required for rail duplication and Mr Addison is continuing to fight to secure the remaining funds to deliver better rail connections between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane as well as being an advocate for light rail.
44. PAVO & HEIDI WALKER
THE duo are the faces behind Walker Seafoods Australia - a Mooloolaba-based tuna company known for its high-quality export-grade tuna/swordfish, and the only tuna company in Australia with MSC certification.
After a massive expansion late last year the high-grade seafood exporters has continued to shine, named as finalists in the Premier’s Export Awards and one of the 10 most powerful foodies in the state.
43. DAREN EDWARDS
DETECTIVE Senior Sergeant Edwards is the boss of detectives across the Sunshine Coast.
A former Northern Territory policeman, Sen. Sgt Edwards has overseen some of the region’s most exhaustive investigations.
Sen-Sgt Edwards was honoured for his role with the Sunshine Coast Drug and Serious Crime Taskforce, which took more than $7 million worth of drugs off local streets by late-August.
42. FERRE DE DEYNE
THE philanthropist has been part of the Sunshine Coast business scene for more than 25 years. The owner of the Big Kart Track has been an integral part of tourism marketing boards and promotion of our major attractions for many years.
Less well-known is Ferre’s interest in the visual arts. He and his family have a passion for indigenous art and have generously lent their collection to public galleries across Australia.
41. KENDALL MORTON
THE director and owner of Homecare Assistance Sunshine Coast was recently awarded Sunshine Coast Outstanding Business Woman of the Year 2018.
At 34, the young entrepreneur is making a difference in aged and disability care. Ms Morton works tirelessly with her 55 staff members to ensure HCA SC is steps ahead of its competitors. The company provides in-home care that focuses on the clients’ happiness.
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