Noosa’s most influential under 30 revealed: full list

From sports stars and musicians to influencers and business owners, Noosa’s youngest guns are leaving their well earned mark on the region. See the full list:

From sports stars and musicians to influencers and business owners, Noosa’s youngest guns are leaving their mark on the region thanks to a combination of hunger for more, ability to innovate and willingness to take the plunge.

Noosa News and the Sunshine Coast Daily have compiled a list of 30 of some of the most impressive community members under 30 years who are wielding their influence on our region.

Find out who’s having the biggest influence despite – or maybe because of – their young age.

Moses Mbye, 28, sports star

Moses Mbye of the Tigers in action during the round 20 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Albert Perez

The 28-year-old has played 138 NRL games, debuting for the Bulldogs in 2014 before leaving Canterbury four years later.

The former Noosa Pirates Junior reportedly earns $800,000 per year but signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons for the 2022 season.

Mbye played a starring role in Queensland Game 1 victory in 2019 State of Origin series and has played a further two origin matches since.

Taylor Moss, 26, musician

Noosa singer Taylor Moss

Noosa’s Taylor Moss is turning all the right heads in the country music scene.

In May 2012, Taylor won first place in the Urban Country Music Festival before searching for inspiration on a writing trip to Nashville in 2018.

The 26-year-old has just unveiled her latest single, Get it Girl, which has been streamed more than two million times and was also the number one ranked song in the country in January.

Jay Roots, 20, entrepreneur

Mr Roots has established himself as the co-founder and director of up and coming festival brand Jynx Entertainment.

In March 2020, the company brought the Jungle Giants and Confidence Man to Nightquarter for a DJ set show, their first major gig for the Jynx House.

The former St Teresa’s Catholic College graduate, 20, is now preparing for his largest music festival yet, on February 12, which is expected to attract 6000 music fans to the Coolum Beach Sports Complex.

Taylah Robertson, 23, boxer

Queensland professional boxer Taylah Robertson (white gloves) fighting Logan-based fighter Mai Nixon in March, 2021, at Nissan Arena, Brisbane. Photo: Andrew Davies.

With five Australian titles, a Commonwealth Games bronze medal and a swag of medals in international tournaments, this 23-year-old’s presence in the ring is unmatched.

After starting to fight at 11, Robertson became the youngest female boxer to represent Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The former Noosa and Cooroy boxer now trains under well respected coach Glenn Azar and said her ambition was to be the undisputed champion of the world in her weight division.

Madison Woolley, 23, influencer

The Good Shepherd Lutheran College graduate has established herself as the founder of clothing brand 23rd and Madison and the Girl Code Podcast.

The 23-year-old shares her fashion, beauty and business advice to her 673,000 Instagram followers.

Tom Fullarton, 22, AFL player

Brisbane Lions player Tom Fullarton and Paddy Ryder of St Kilda contest for the ball. Picture: Michael Klein

Noosa’s Tom Fullarton has taken his sporting career to new heights in the past three years after making a successful switch from elite basketball to the AFL.

After playing eight games across two seasons in the NBL, the former Brisbane Bullets shooting guard was signed to the Brisbane Lions on a Category B contract in 2018 and since made his AFL debut in 2020.

The 22-year-old superstar stands 2m tall and looks to have a promising career ahead of him.

The Chats, musicians

Noosa band The Chats have landed a gig in London as well as a European tour.

Young “shed” rockers took the country by storm just years after graduating with their hit song Smoko.

The group includes former St Teresa’s students Eamon Sandwith, Matthew Boggis and new member Josh Hardy, who replaced founding member Josh Price.

The trio are set to embark on a national tour before heading across on a jam packed tour of the United Kingdom and Europe in 2022.

Alexa Leary, 20, athlete

Alexa Leary returns to her family home in Noosaville after four months in hospital. Picture Lachie Millard

After 111 days in a hospital and rehabilitation ward, the amazing homecoming of Sunshine Coast triathlete Alexa Leary was truly special.

The 20-year-old is now, along with her family, using her platform to inspire others to go outside and move.

The Moveforlex Instagram page has 142,000 followers.

Jake Packard, 27, swimmer

Jake Packard of Australia competes during the Men's 400m Medley relay final of the 2018 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships at the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center. Picture: Christopher Jue

Having trained under Chris Mooney at the University of Sunshine Coast, Noosa’s Jake Packard has competed at the Pan Pacific Championships, the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.

The 27-year-old is also studying animal ecology and was named USC’s Sportsperson of the Year in 2018.

Maggie Harmer, 18, and Bella Smith, 17, AFLW players

Maggie Harmer and Bella Smith have been drafted to the Brisbane Lions in the AFLW competition. Picture: Deion Menzies

Former Noosa Tigers and Maroochydore Roos players Maggie Harmer, 18, and Bella Smith, 17, were successfully drafted into the AFLW competition in 2021 by the Brisbane Lions.

Harmer, who predominantly plays at half back and Smith, who generally plays as a midfielder, represented Queensland in the lead up to the draft at the 2021 NAB National U19 Championships.

Imika Neylan, 28, real estate agent

Real estate agent Imika Neylan trained as a professional ballet dancer. Picture: Lachie Millard

One of Noosa’s youngest agents at 28-years-old, Imika Neylan has been involved in 13 sales over the past year with a median sale price of $1.3m, according to realestate.com.au listings.

Working alongside father Dan Neylan, the Noosa real estate agent who trained as a professional ballet dancer also vied for the title of Miss Universe Australia in 2021.

Madison Jones, 22, influencer

At just 22 years, the former Noosa District State High School student is the founder of Beau Model Management, Airase Copyright, Dinero Group, Reveal Group and Jones Consulting Group.

He has worked with many big name brands including boohooMAN and uses his Instagram page to promote his fashion and business tips.

Isabella Nichols, 24, surfer

Isabella Nichols at the Burton Automotive Pro.

She’s the Sunshine Coast’s top ranked female surfer with a World Surf League ranking of eight, just in front of Keely Andrews.

The 24-year-old Noosa and Coolum surfer rocketed into the tour spotlight after she claimed the World Junior Championships in 2016.

In an unrelated but otherwise fun fact, Ms Nichols featured in shark attack thriller The Shallows as a body double for Blake Lively.

Tal Hymans, 21, actor and model

Hymans career in fashion, modelling and acting has taken off in the past five years.

After graduating from Sunshine Beach State High School in 2016, the 21-year-old appeared on the 2021 TV series Casino Beach and also works for big name clothing brands such as Adidas, Culture Kings, Balenciaga and Saint Laurent.

Nick Sloman, 24, athlete

Noosa’s Nick Sloman fist pumps after winning the Open Run Swim Run, Open Male Surf Race.

Open water swimmer Nick Sloman looks to have an extremely promising future ahead of him.

The 24-year-old Olympic hopeful narrowly missed out on a spot to the Tokyo Olympic Games but has the right accolades in his corner after being crowned the Mooloolaba Mile, Men’s 10km and 5km open race champion.

Abbie Slavin, 22, athlete

This Former St Teresa’s Catholic College Student and F45 trainer became a fully endorsed EHPlabs athlete in 2018.

The 22-year-old is a World Beauty Fitness and Fashion competitor and works in collaboration with Muscle Nation, Workout Meals and All4me.

Jack Payne, 22, AFL player

Jack Payne of the Lions handpasses the ball away from Billy Frampton of the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed

Noosa Tigers junior Jack Payne joined Sunshine Coast AFL talents Eric Hipwood and Tom Fullarton after the 197cm, 100kg powerhouse’s debut for the Brisbane Lions against Richmond in 2020.

The St Andrew’s Anglican College graduate said he had supported the Lions since he was a child which meant there was no hesitation when he signed a new three year deal, tying him to the club until the end of 2024.

Lilliana Bowrey, 17, surfer

This Sunshine Beach High School student is a multiple Queensland longboard and shortboard surfing champion who has also starred in the Netflix series, Surviving Summer.

The 17-year-old is sponsored by big name brands such as Billabong, FCS and Noosa-based company Thomas Surfboards.

Lacey Madison, 22, influencer

Lacey Madison is an influencer coach, branding specialist and business and marketing expert.

At 22-years-old, her business, bylaceymadison.com, has helped countless people and businesses expand their potential through savvy branding and marketing.

Kareena Lee, 27, Olympian

Bronze medallist Kareena Lee of Team Australia poses after the Women's 10km Marathon Swimming on day twelve of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Picture: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Courageous Noosa athlete Kareena Lee was one of the first athletes selected in the Australian Olympic team, in mid-2019, and when the postponed event finally began the 27-year-old returned home with a bronze medal.

After battling a series of health issues earlier in her career, she claimed the best result ever for an Australian in the gruelling 10km race.

Kai Weith, 18, high school graduate

Not Noosa, but no doubt close enough, is Coolum State High School graduate Kai Weith who received an ATAR score of 99.90.

The 18-year-olds score placed him within the top 60 students in Queensland.

After studying an extra four hours everyday after school, Mr Weith is now joining the navy.

Lachie Lansdown, 26, athlete

Lachie Lansdown at the inaugural Old Women Ocean Paddle. Picture: Patrick Woods

Former Noosa nippers talent Lachie Lansdown has found major success in the rare surf sport of prone paddling.

Since beginning the sport in 2013, the 26-year-old has won the Molokai 2 Oahu teams, placed second in the individual event five times, has represented Australia four times at the ISA paddle games and won four individual world titles.

Lansdown also holds the course record for the Catalina classic which he has won four times in two divisions

Ash Holmes, 25, business owner

Ash and Michael Holmes bring Hawaiian flavour to Hastings Street Noosa Longboards, which turned 25 years old in 2021.

Ash Holmes is riding a wave of success managing one of Noosa’s most iconic surfing brands, Noosa Longboards.

The 25-year-old and his father Michael have continued to take the business from strength to strength after the pair took over the Hastings St shop from former owner Chris de Aboitiz.

Bayley Crawford, 18, basketballer

Former Sunshine Beach State High School student Bayley Crawford took a step closer to his NBA dream after accepting an offer from US school, Montverde Academy, in August 2021.

Crawford, 18, is set to finish his final year of school in Florida at a high school famous for its basketball program.

The 196cm-tall point guard said it was an amazing feeling to be given the opportunity to attend the same school as Australian NBA all-star and former first-round pick Ben Simmons.

Jordan Mercer, 26, ironwoman

Surf Life Saving champion Jordan Mercer with dad and legend of the sport Darren Mercer on Noosa Main Beach. Picture: Lachie Millard

Hailing from a family of iconic ocean athletes, 25-year-old Mercer has dominated the Ironwoman and surf sports scene since the age of 16.

A surf Ironwoman series champion and 10-time world champion, the talented Noosa product has also won the gruelling 52km paddleboard crossing from Molokai to Oahu an incredible six successive times.

Riley Dixon, 20, influencer

At just 20 years of age, this former Sunshine Beach High School student took the opportunity to expand her passion of fitness and mindset coaching from the comfort of her own home.

Along with being a qualified personal trainer and coach, she is a co-host on the Drink More Water Podcast and has collaborated with brands such as Bali Body and Naked Harvest Supplements.

Lincoln Dews, 25, surfer

Lincoln Dews also competed in the inaugural Iron X event at Mooloolaba in January 2021

Former Noosa surf lifesaving superstar Lincoln Dew is highly regarded as one of Noosa’s best athletes on water.

The 25-year-old paddler, surfer, foiler, fisher, lifeguard and sailor has won two stand-up paddleboard world titles, crossed the Molokai channel seven times and competed in the world’s richest ironman race.

Dews also competed in the 2021 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race were he set sail on a 32ft Sun Fast 3200 named Hells Bells, owned by his father Geoff Dews.

Eliza Kohler, 23, nurse

Former Sunshine Beach Primary and St Teresa’s Catholic College student Eliza Kohler is one of the region’s biggest social media influencers, having amassed 62,000 followers on Instagram in five years.

The 23-year-old who studied at the University of the Sunshine Coast and is now a qualified nurse, uses her generous social media following to share her day-to-day lifestyle.

“A large chunk of my following are nurses or aspiring nurses,” she said.

“I enjoy sharing content of the importance of taking care of mind, body and soul as a nurse.

Corey Tonge, 23, influencer

The former F45 Noosa trainer and fitness competitor was a strong promoter of many EHPlabs products.

The 23-year-old now focuses on producing gaming and comedy videos and has gained more than 3.1m followers on the popular social media platform, TikTok.