The top 40-31 most powerful people in the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, 2022
The region’s movers and shakers of 2022 have been narrowed down to deliver you the Sunshine Coast and Noosa’s 50 most powerful people of the year. See 40-31 of the list here.
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The region’s most powerful and influential movers and shakers have been compiled for the past year, in what was another testing 12 months in many ways.
From major housing projects to the region’s largest education institution, these people have risen above the challenges and cemented themselves among the heavy-hitters on the Coast this year.
This year, our two mayors and two state MPs aside, we’ve tried to avoid including politicians in the list in a bid to cast the net wider, but we acknowledge the efforts and influence wielded by all of our federal, state and local representatives.
POWER LIST: 50-41 of the Sunshine Coast, Noosa’s most influential people of 2022
We’ll roll out 10 a day, with the top 10 to be revealed on Friday, December 2, while our Power Sport list will be revealed on Saturday, shining a light on the heavy hitters on and off the field in 2022.
Here’s 40-31 of the Sunshine Coast Daily’s Power 50 for 2022:
40. 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 where he helps players achieve their dreams and heads the Gambling Community Benefit Committee, which delivers millions of dollars in grants to local organisations.
Mr Robinson said while 2022 was a challenging year at the surf club, there was a lot to be proud of and look forward to.
“Business is great at the surf club but it’s just hard trying to find staff and keep them cause it’s just such a competitive market,” Mr Robinson said.
“Alex Surf Club has its 100 year anniversary in 2024 so I’m looking forward to celebrating that.”
Mr Robinson told the Sunshine Coast Daily he had watched the Falcons grow since 2014.
“We’ve gone from no one wanting to know to us to a very competitive club and we have great support from council, the Melbourne Storm and the community,” he said.
“The club has been going for over 100 years and but it’s nice to see people wanting to follow us, it’s just fantastic.
Mr Robinson said watching the Alex Surf Club win the open female and male taplin for the first time in history and on the same day of the Australian Titles was “the most rewarding thing” he had been involved in.
39. Cameron Hall:
Hall chief executive Cameron Hall said he was particularly proud of the company continuing to expand its footprint in the Pacific Islands, where it had started delivering climate change adaptation works in the island nation of Tuvalu.
He said the launch of Hall Water and Tailings, a new division servicing the mining and heavy industrial sectors, was also a significant milestone.
Hall Contracting is Australia’s largest privately owned dredging, civil and marine construction company.
38. Brendan Bathersby:
Bathersby Legal director Brendan Bathersby said his “small but extremely busy” Maroochydore legal practice had represented a “broad range” of clients, with a focus on the building and construction industry, and he acknowledged his dedicated team for their efforts in 2022.
He also retained his position as Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce president and, with the executive committee, sponsors and members had advocated for “the delivery of heavy rail infrastructure into the Maroochydore city centre” and promoted “all things Maroochydore” including the city centre, the Sunshine Coast Airport and the Ocean Street entertainment precinct.
He said he and other Master Builders Queensland Sunshine Coast members had also continued to promote the building and construction industry and to advocate for and protect the interests of MBQ members and participants.
37. Sandy Zubrinich:
Sunshine Coast Business Council chairwoman and industry guru Sandy Zubrinich’s ambition for the strategic vision for the region’s future is second to none.
Her influence in the role since being appointed in 2012 is evidenced through her tireless efforts to bring the region’s largest companies together along with advocating for issues including the region’s transport needs, support for businesses and improving youth unemployment rates.
36. Matthew Evans:
Matthew Evans founded Evans Long in 2011 alongside Dirk Long and the development duo have since established a strong commercial, industrial and retail development track record with projects across the state.
Mr Evans’ experience as a qualified valuer and Mr Long’s history in commercial property and auctioneering has successfully situated Evans Long as one of the most prolific developers on the Coast.
The multimillion-dollar Wharf Mooloolaba refurbishment, a $10m building for the Maroochydore CBD, the Bli Bli Tavern and Kawana’s Capital One project are just a few notable developments in Evans Long’s portfolio.
35. Shadforth Family:
As the family behind a major civil construction company, the Shadforth name has emerged as a force within the industry.
Headed by managing director Ray Shadforth, the family have some of the biggest developments under their belt for region, including works on Australia’s largest master planned community – Aura.
In 2022, Shadforth Civil Construction was confirmed to have bought Centrepoint Marketplace in Caloundra for more than $7m; shortly after it was revealed more than $500m in projects for Bulcock St were in the pipeline.
34. Dirk Long:
Director of development company Evans Long, Dirk Long is responsible for some of the biggest developments on the coast.
As the developer behind projects such as the redeveloped Mooloolaba Wharf, A1 Maroochydore and Central Sippy Downs, Mr Long has cemented himself as a powerful force in a rapidly developing area.
In 2022, he has continued as a driving force behind development on the Sunshine Coast, including the creation of a new, boutique childcare centre in Sippy Downs – a rapidly developing suburb.
33. Danielle Smith:
As the chief executive of elite netball team Sunshine Coast Lightning, Danielle Smith said she was proud to help her club bounce back from Covid-19 this year.
Ms Smith, who became chief executive in 2016, said her athletes welcomed more than 17,000 spectators this year, back to pre-pandemic numbers.
This achievement was recognised by the prestigious Sunshine Coast Business Awards, crowning the club as the winner for the festivals and events category this year.
This year, Ms Smith was also thrilled to join the board of Sunshine Coast 2032, a group responsible for maximising the region’s opportunities with the upcoming 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane.
Next year, Ms Smith said she was excited to embark on a new era with her netball team, connect with the local community, and take a “long holiday” at the end of the season.
“(It) will be my first big holiday in over five years,” she said.
32. Steve Barber:
Blackflag Brewing co-owner Steve Barber said he was most proud of building a brewery this year in Coolum Beach, which opened in October.
“It’s fantastic, the bar end has been absolutely flat out so that is great,” he said.
He said in the next year, Blackflag Brewing would expand “into new locations with bars” and focus on interstate sales.
He said the thing he was most proud of was his teams working together “to get things done”.
31. Kathryn Hyman:
Community group leader and advocate Kathryn Hyman has been an integral part of several campaigns against council and prospective developers, fighting to preserve the Sunshine Coast’s environment.
One of her most recent wins was against the Twin Waters West development by Stockland which did not appeal a court judgment against the project.
This tenacity was also seen in her perseverance against Sekisui House in Yaroomba.
Stay tuned as we roll out 10 more of the list each day, with the top 10 to be revealed on Friday, December 2.
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