Part 1: Queensland’s 100 most influential people - Positions 100-86
THESE are Queensland’s most influential people – the top 100 power list of movers and shakers, decision makers and shot callers. Some of them you will know, others you won’t – but they all hold immense influence in our state.
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- Part 2, 86-71: Who will win power struggle at the Broncos
- Part 3, 70-56: He’s given $100m to benefit our state
- Part 4, 55-41: Labor’s ‘agent on infection’
THESE are Queensland’s most influential people – the top 100 power list of movers and shakers, decision makers and shot callers.
Some of them you will know, others you won’t – but they all hold immense influence across politics, sport, business and other key sectors in our state.
Over the next week, couriermail.com.au will countdown to the top 10.
And we want you, our subscribers, to have your say. Who do you think are Queensland’s most powerful people?
Post your nominations in the comments section below or email to editor@couriermail.com.au.
And don’t miss our special Power 100 edition of QWeekend magazine on Saturday, July 7.
Queensland’s 100 most influential people: Positions 100-86
100 - MADELINE STUART, MODEL
THE young Queenslander has literally changed the face of modelling as the world’s first catwalk professional with Down syndrome.
Still only 21, the young woman from Ipswich has appeared at events around the globe, including fashion weeks in New York (twice), the UK and China.
Madeline has graced the pages of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Marie Clare, Cleo as well as being written about by newspapers and magazines, and has 186,000 Instagram followers. She has endorsed everything from Jennifer Hawkins’ JBronze range to Weetbix and launched her own clothing range, 21 Reasons Why, last year.
Seen as a strong advocate and role model for diversity in the beauty world, Madeline also runs the inclusive Inside Outside Theatre Company in Brisbane.
99 - LI CUNXIN, QUEENSLAND BALLET
He had a stellar international career as a dancer and is known globally for his memoir, Mao’s Last Dancer, which was made into a Hollywood film.
Li Cunxin’s profile and the international respect for his artistic and business acumen (he is also a former stockbroker) means he can attract the world’s best to Brisbane for guest appearances with the Queensland Ballet. These include dancers such as Carlos Acosta and choreographers such as Liam Scarlett of the Royal Ballet.
Li’s international profile has turned the spotlight on Queensland and he’s now a proud local committed to continuing to help build our international reputation. Recently he turned his efforts to transforming his company’s headquarters, The Thomas Dixon centre at West End, into a $35 million centre of artistic excellence with an investment of $14 million from the State Government.
His wife Mary is originally from Rockhampton and he says he feels at home here.
98 - MARK KENDALL, SCIENTIST
Mark Kendall is recognised internationally for new technologies focused on delivering drugs to the skin and skin-based disease diagnostics.
He’s the inventor of the Nanopatch, designed to deliver vaccines via a patch on the skin.
In 2011, Professor Kendall founded Vaxxas to commercialise the Nanopatch, which has been licensed to US-based pharmaceutical company, Merck and Co.
His latest project is the development of a wearable patch to detect heart attacks before they happen, which has been showing promise in animal trials and will hopefully move into human trials within the next few years.
Prof Kendall plans to develop a line of low-cost “micro-wearables”, diagnostic devices for a range of diseases based on minimally-invasive, pain-free sensors applied to the skin.
He was recently appointed a Vice-Chancellor’s Entrepreneurial Professor at the Australian National University after 12 years as a professor in biomedical engineering at the University of Queensland.
97 - PETER BIRTLES, RETAIL CHIEF
As managing director and chief executive of the Super Retail Group, he leads one of the top 10 retail chains in Australasia.
One of Queensland’s biggest companies, it owns some of the country’s most popular brands including SuperCheap Auto, Boating Camping Fishing (BCF), Rebel, Rays and the recently-acquired adventure clothing outlet Macpac.
Mr Birtles has been with them since 2001 and boss since 2006, leading Super Retail’s growth to a $2.5 billion annual turnover, more than 630 stores and 12,000-plus employees.
The focus now is on digital sales as the firm positions itself for the challenge from Amazon and where Peter Birtles goes, other retailers will be sure to follow.
96 - MALOUF FAMILY, INVESTORS
This family of developers helped set the tone for the modern Brisbane which has taken shape since the turn of the millennium.
Their James St Market, opened in 2002, was a crucial element in transforming Fortitude Valley from a grubby semi-industrial suburb into a pacesetter for the sort of inner-city chic which now defines it and surrounding areas.
The Calile Hotel, the latest venture of Calile Malouf and his sons Cal and Michael, is to open in the centre of James St in September.
In a subtropical resort-style design, its pool area will double as a top-class dining venue for leading chef Simon Gloftis to locate his Greek restaurant Hellenika.
They will also create a vibrant new laneway – Ada Lane. The names Calile and Ada honour the Malouf couple who first came to Australia in 1892.
95 - SUE KEAY, ROBOTICIST
Brisbane is carving out a reputation as the national leader in robotics technology and Dr Keay is leading the charge in developing one of the most important future industries.
As chief operating officer of the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision, based at Queensland University of Technology, she leads a team of 100 researchers in 10 institutions worldwide.
Much of their work focuses on designing robots that can work side-by-side with humans.
She has taken a lead role in pulling together people involved in range of world-beating innovation in both robotics and drone technology, which could form the foundation of a multi-billion industry for the state.
Dr Keay is on the board of the federal Government’s Cooperative Research Centre ORE (optimise resource extraction) program developing technology for the mining industry and heads their research steering committee.
Last year she was named a Superstar of STEM, inspiring, encouraging and mentoring young women to follow careers in science.
94 - MARIO PENNISI, LIFE SCIENCES
Queensland has an abundance of world-leading medical and bioscience research, but faces an ongoing challenge in commercialising that innovation.
That is where Mario Pennisi comes in as a pivotal person for creating the state’s hi-tech future.
As chief executive officer, he leads the industry peak body Life Sciences Queensland in building the state’s international reputation.
It covers everything from pharmaceuticals, complimentary medicines and nutraceuticals, functional foods and medical devices to animal health products and biotechnology across agriculture, environmental, marine and industrial areas.
Mr Pennisi is also CEO of the Queensland Clinical Trials Network, established as part of former premier Peter Beattie’s Smart State initiative.
A self-proclaimed “mastermind of possibilities”, he is on the steering committee of Bionics Queensland and the Biofutures industry advisory group.
93 - ANNABELLE CHAPLAIN, AIRPORTS BOSS
The state’s regional airports are reaching new heights under the leadership of Annabelle Chaplain.
She has been chairman of Queensland Airports Ltd (QAL), which operates the Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach hubs, since 2014.
Last year saw the group’s record 768,719 passengers help drive Queensland’s tourism industry, and the Commonwealth Games should see that broken again this year.
A former investment banker, Ms Chaplain has overseen the $300 million upgrade of the Gold Coast Airport and wants to see new routes to Chinese cities developed.
Other roles include chairman of online consumer research and ratings company Canstar and director of Seven Group Holdings, infrastructure and mining giant EDO Downer, loans company Credible Labs and the Australian Ballet.
She was previously a director of the federal government credit agency, Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC), which will help evaluate applications to the multi-billion dollar Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund (NAIF).
92 - ROBERT DOW, COMMUTERS’ VOICE
He is the travellers’ champion who is not afraid to railroad politicians to get the best result for the public.
The Goodna grandfather is founder and administrator of RAIL Back on Track, an online website and forum for commuters which is followed by tens of thousands of people.
Passionately pro-public transport, he holds governments and operators such as Translink, Queensland Rail and Brisbane Transport to account over reliability, frequency and affordability as well as policy and infrastructure planning.
He has been a constant thorn in the side for Labor and LNP governments but his knowledge and enthusiasm is recognised and respected by politicians on both sides, as well as bureaucrats.
Mr Dow has had plenty to get his teeth into in recent times with the QR “rail fail” and the debacle over the dozens of Next Generation Rollingstock trains needing modification to make them fit for use after arriving from the manufacturers in India.
91 - NICHOLAS MARCHESI and LUCAS PATCHETT, CHARITY WORKERS
A clever idea hatched between these best mates in 2014, has led to more than 540,000kg of washing being done for the homeless around Australia.
Their mobile laundry service, a world first, now operates in 23 locations, with 15 laundry vans, three shower vans, four combination vans and one remote vehicle.
The joint 2016 Young Australians of the Year continue to attract corporate backers, including The Good Guys, Richard Jay, LG, and Kennards Hire, while volunteer numbers have grown to more than 1000.
Queensland is home to seven Orange Sky vehicles in Brisbane, Mackay, Townsville and on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, with a new service (in a kitted out ex-defence truck) in the remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Lockhart River.
Beyond clean clothes, the service by Mr Marchesi and Mr Patchett also creates the opportunity to connect through conversation.
90 - ANTHONY MICALLEF, EDUCATOR
Anthony Micallef is helping to produce Queensland’s future generations of leaders and influencers.
The old school tie and the network ties that come with it still carries plenty of weight in the Sunshine State and as the capital’s oldest and most prestigious private school, Brisbane Grammar holds a particular cachet.
The corridors of power, judicial benches and corporate corner offices have long been populated by its old boys. Proudly traditional in its curriculum, BGS continues to excel in OP and NAPLAN results.
Such reputation comes at a price, with the school fees the state’s highest at $27,085 a year, plus $25,460 for boarding. Mr Micallef’s annual salary package is more than the Premier’s.
Headmaster since 2014, Mr Micallef is only the 12th headmaster in the school’s 150-year history. He has been at the school for a quarter of a century, working his way to the top from teacher/sports coach and a decade as deputy headmaster.
89 - RAJIV KHANNA, SCIENTIST
Rajiv Khanna is an internationally respected scientist who has spent almost 30 years working on innovative immunotherapy-based treatments.
He is leading four world-first clinical trials testing treatments which harness the human immune system to fight disease. Professor Khanna is partnering with US company Atara Biotherapeutics to develop immunotherapy treatments, particularly against brain cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis.
His expertise has led to a multimillion-dollar deal giving Atara licence to develop and commercialise an expanding range of products and clinical trials. His pioneering developing of a killer T cell therapy for treatment of lymphomas in organ transplant patients is being tested around the world.
88 - JEFF HORN, BOXER
No sportsperson has galvanised support and enthusiasm in recent times quite like Jeff Horn.
A virtual unknown a year ago, his rise from bullied kid to physical education teacher to world champ captured the public imagination.
It has earned him millions of dollars but the down-to-earth nature of he and his wife, high-school sweetheart Jo, has helped ensure he remains a real people’s champion.
Everyone from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk down, wanted to be photographed with him.
The 30-year-old’s WBO welterweight title fight victory against the legendary Manny Pacquiao packed out Suncorp Stadium last July.
It also generated more than $354 million worth of online media coverage for Brisbane around the globe – more than double that of the G20 Summit four years ago.
“The Hornet” defended his crown against Englishman Gary Corcoran in December but was stopped by American champ Terence Crawford in Las Vegas in June. A multimillion-dollar bout with Anthony Mundine is now on the cards.
87 - MICK GOODA, INDIGENOUS LEADER
A descendant of the Gangulu people of Central Queensland, Mick Gooda has devoted much of his life to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues as a highly-respected public servant and champion.
His counsel is regularly sought by politicians and bureaucrats at both state and federal levels of government.
Mr Gooda was the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner from 2009-2016, stepping down to take on a new role jointly heading the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory.
Earlier in his 35-year career, he was national head of the former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Commission (ATSIC) and a chief executive of the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health.
Mr Gooda also headed the independent Queensland Stolen Wages Taskforce established in 2015.
86 - PHILIP BACON, ART DEALER
One of Australia’s most respected art dealers has achieved what many would have thought impossible – removing any suggestion of Brisbane being a cultural backwater.
Since opening his eponymous gallery in Fortitude Valley in 1974, Philip Bacon AM has represented some of the greatest names in Australian art, from Charles Blackman and Jeffrey Smart to Fred Williams and Margaret Olley.
At 71, he still looks after the estate of Williams, Smart and others, and through his board position with Opera Australia has secured a coup for this year’s Brisbane Festival, of which he is deputy chairman.
Mr Bacon is co-presenting the two performances at QPAC, matching dollar for dollar any philanthropic donations received.
The man who last year sold a Brett Whiteley for $1.2 million, previously paid almost $5 million for a Sidney Nolan, and 30 years ago handled the state’s largest ever sale of artwork with the estate of Sir Leon and Lady Trout, is raising the cultural profile of Queensland to an increasingly international audience.
Tomorrow: Queensland’s Power 100 - list 85-71
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