Sunshine Coast’s most powerful people: The Daily reveals 41 to 50

From businesspeople to politicians and heads of large organisations, here are 41 to 50 of the Sunshine Coast’s 50 most powerful people.

The Sunshine Coast is changing at a rapid pace, but who are the personalities making the big decisions?

The Daily is this week revealing its top 50 list of the region’s most powerful people.

Here is the first instalment, counting down from 50 to 41:

Peppi Bueti with Travis Schultz.

50. Peppi Bueti:

The communications expert is a man in the know on the Sunshine Coast.

He rubs shoulders with some of the region’s heaviest hitters for a living and is also part of the communications team at SunCentral, the company overseeing delivering on council’s behalf of the new Maroochydore CBD.

Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich. Picture: Warren Lynam

49. Sandy Zubrinich:

The long-time Sunshine Coast Business Council chairwoman brings together heads of some of the region’s largest companies and manages to deliver a unified, strategic vision – no easy task.

Her advocacy on significant issues has been relentless, including the region’s transport needs and business support during the pandemic.

Earlier this week we officially opened Vitality Village! We are still revelling in the excitement of bringing to life...

Posted by Vitality Village on Thursday, July 29, 2021

48. Liam Mayo:

Mr Mayo was appointed as Be’s chief executive in 2021 after being a board member at the organisation since June last year.

The former leader of the Sunshine Coast Council’s Community Planning and Development department stepped up to the role at Be after the sudden departure of former boss Feda Adra, who had founded the group’s Vitality Village project and spent 16 years with the group before deciding it was time for a “new challenge”.

47. James McGovern:

The former Red Rooster kitchen hand has more than made a name for himself as co-founder of The Good Place restaurant chain.

The 100 per cent gluten-free venues are dedicated to supporting local suppliers and Mr McGovern has even had a crack at advocacy 2021, fighting to secure state government support for small businesses affected by the ongoing pandemic.

Hall Contracting managing director Cameron Hall. Picture: Warren Lynam

46. Cameron Hall:

The Hall Contracting chief executive leads the largest privately-owned dredging, civil and marine construction company in the country.

The Hall team is also responsible for the major civil works in Pelican Waters and the company remains hugely influential in the region’s business circles.

Your Mates founders Matt Hepburn and Christen McGarry.

45. Matt Hepburn and Christen McGarry:

Matt Hepburn and Christen McGarry have forged a successful business with Your Mates Brewery.

Your Mates Brewery’s Larry pale ale was voted the fourth best craft beer in Australia in this year’s GABS Hottest 100 awards.

Within one year Your Mates brews have gone from being in 150 bottle shops to 800 in Queensland, with interest now sparked interstate.

44. James Coutts

As Sunshine Coast Council’s urban growth program director Mr Coutts has played a key role in the council’s controversial mass transit plan. 

The council released a lengthy report on potential future public transport options to connect Maroochydore and Kawana for feedback.

Options being considered include light rail, trackless trams and bus rapid transit.

Shadforth director Ray Shadforth.

43. Ray Shadforth:

Mr Shadforth heads one of Queensland’s largest privately-owned civil contracting firms, employing hundreds of people and overseeing major projects across the Sunshine Coast.

The firm is involved in several housing developments including Harmony, Sunshine Cove, Aura and Abbotts Road.

It is also completing the first stage of Bells Creek Arterial Road extension after the state government fast-tracked the road works at the October 2020 election.

Sunshine Coast Falcon chair and Alex Surf Club general manager Ashley Robinson. Picture: Patrick Woods.

42. Ashley Robinson:

From managing a surf club to overseeing millions in community grants, Mr Robinson continues to be an influential community member.

As Alex Surf Club’s general manager Mr Robinson inspires and mentors many young lifesavers.

He is also the chairman at Sunshine Coast Falcons and heads the Gambling Community Benefit Committee, which delivers millions of dollars in grants to local organisations.

Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien.

Ted O’Brien:

Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien was one of the driving forces behind South East Queensland’s successful bid for the 2032 Olympics.

Mr O’Brien was the federal government’s representative on the 2032 bid taskforce and is expected to have influence to ensure the Sunshine Coast gets the most out of the historic event.

He recently began discussions around forming a local taskforce, made up of business and community representatives, to act as a voice for what Sunshine Coast residents want to get out of the Games.