Power List | Sunshine Coast’s top 50-41 most powerful people of 2023
From education to community advocacy and business and development, the Sunshine Coast Daily is counting down the top 50 most powerful people of 2023. SEE FROM 50-41.
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The Sunshine Coast’s most influential movers and shakers of the year have been named after another 12 months of development, success stories, advocacy and challenges.
From a long-time radio host to dedicated lawyers and community group leaders, these are the people who have made a difference.
This is the first instalment of the 2023 Power List, with 10 being announced each day until Friday.
See 50-41:
50. Melva Hobson
Melva Hobson moved to the Sunshine Coast after serving as Redland Bay City Council mayor from 2008-12.
Life on the coast means more time with grandchildren, but also plenty of community advocacy as the president of the Sunshine Coast’s largest residents’ group the Organisation Sunshine Coast Association of Residents.
Ms Hobson continues is a staunch advocate for the community to ensure the interests of the public are met.
Her contributions to the Sunshine Coast being recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, resulted in her invitation to join the Sunshine Coast Biosphere Community Advisory Group, which she has been a member of over the past year.
49. Caroline Hutchinson OAM
Sunshine Coast radio announcer Caroline Hutchinson OAM continues to be a voice that is listened to and respected across the region.
Since starting with 92.7 MIX FM in 1998, the veteran announcer is still at the top of her game, contributing to the station topping the latest Xtra Insights survey.
An active participant in the community, she helped raise over $510,000 for 92.7 MIX FM’s Give Me Five for Kids campaign that supports children’s hospital and health services on the Sunshine Coast, as well as took part in the Sunshine Coast’s Biggest Charity Car Wash.
Outside of radio, Ms Hutchinson hosts the popular Awkward Conversations podcast and hosts many community events.
48. Leigh McCready
Prominent Noosa identity Leigh McCready continued to raise her profile as an advocate for the community this year.
The well-connected businesswomen was involved in a number of high-profile campaigns to assist community services and organisations.
Serving as the Head of Fundraising and Partnerships at Katie Rose Cottage Hospice, her work has involved lifting the profile of the health care service.
Over the past year, her advocacy resulted in securing a $1.5m grant to add two guests rooms at the facility.
She was also responsible for the Peregian Surf Club being re-established for the 2022/2023 season.
Next year, she will be hoping to take her community leadership to the next level after announcing she will run for Noosa Shire Council at the local government election in March.
47. Duncan Armstrong OAM
Olympic champion and broadcaster Duncan Armstrong OAM has made quite the impact since moving to the Sunshine Coast.
In 2023, the two-time Olympic Swimmer and gold medal winner for Australia, Mr Armstrong continued his work with the Sunshine Coast 2032 initiative, which he has been tasked to lead alongside Roz White and Brendan Burkett OAM.
Mr Armstrong also hosts events and inspires many as the owner of Peak Impact Consulting Services.
This year, he was also involved with the launch of Visit Sunshine Coast’s training program Shine, which was attended by over 100 tourism businesses.
46. Helen Bartlett
University of Sunshine Coast vice-chancellor and president Professor Helen Bartlett continued to lead the education institution through a strong period of growth this year.
Since becoming the first female vice-chancellor of the education institute in 2020 after moving from Victoria, Professor Bartlett has helped increase the standing of the university on a global scale.
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings released in September, UniSC had moved up 171 spots in the rankings to be among the world’s leading 1904 universities.
The institution also recorded the biggest improvement in the country for research quality, with a score of 70.
Professor Bartlett also focused on enriching student experiences, with UniSC ranked joint first for student satisfaction in a Best University Ranking initiative.
45. Craig Mansfield
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield remains one of the top cops in the region, as officer-in-charge of Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch.
Between investigations into alleged murders and drug busts within the region throughout 2023, Sergeant Mansfield’s resolve for justice is as strong as ever after over two decades in policing.
The officer-in-charge plays a crucial role to inform the public on recent crime and ongoing investigations, reminding the community to remain vigilant against theft, scams and other dangers.
44. Chelsea Emery
Chelsea Emery has been commanding her legal firm since 2010, with her career in criminal and traffic law tracking back to 1999.
She also previously worked as a criminal law lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast and has been invited back frequently to speak about the profession.
In 2016, Ms Emery was certified criminal law accredited specialist through the Queensland Law Society.
She was recognised Sunshine Coast Law Association in 2021 and the Suncoast Community Legal Service in 2016 with life membership.
Ms Emery’s name has also appeared as a recommended lawyer in the Leading Criminal Lawyers lists by Doyles Guide between 2019 and 2022.
“Defending criminal charges is an enormously stressful experience particularly when a client has had no prior dealings with the criminal justice system,” Ms Emery said.
43. Anna Smith
Anna Smith has taken on more than 23 years’ worth of legal challenges as a crown prosecutor, barrister and solicitor advocate and is a frequent face at Sunshine Coast courthouses.
Ms Smith began her legal career in New South Wales in 2000, and then was admitted again in Queensland in 2009.
Working in courts across Queensland, Ms Smith also takes matters in New South Wales occasionally.
Ms Smith has been running Smith Criminal Law for the past 11 years and has offices in Maroochydore and Gympie.
“I had an interest in crime and criminal law for as long as I can remember – I read every true crime book I could get my hands on as a young teenager,” she said.
42. Graeme Juniper
Renowned property developer Graeme Juniper continued to make an impact on the Sunshine Coast this year, in his advocacy for local businesses and the community.
The founder of Juniper Development Group, one of Australia’s most successful property development companies, Mr Juniper utilised his business acumen in his ongoing role as Mooloolaba Chamber of Commerce president.
As part of his role, Mr Juniper helped advocate against council plans to build a 290m seawall at Mooloolaba Beach.
With contributed efforts between Mr Juniper and other community groups including The Beach Matters Group and Mooloolaba Alliance and Beach Matters, the seawall project underwent a redesign as part of a $24m transformation.
41. Chloe Kopilovic
FC Lawyers director Chloe Kopilovic has taken leaps in her legal career in the past decade after moving to the Sunshine Coast from Western Australia in 2011.
Starting out as a trainee at FC Lawyers, Ms Kopilovic became a solicitor before rising to the position as one of the firm’s directors in 2021.
Ms Kopilovic was the youngest member of the Queensland Law Society for the 2016/2017 term and was re-elected for 2018/2019, all while finishing her Masters in Applied Law.
Ms Kopilovic was elected to hold the position of Queensland Law Society president throughout the term of 2023 and has led the society to address issues such as youth crime and housing availability in Queensland.
The same year she became a director at FC Lawyers, the Doyle’s Guide included her as Queensland’s recommended lawyer in wills, estates and litigations.
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