POWER 50: 10-1 of Warwick’s most influential for 2021 revealed

The Daily News has been counting down Warwick’s 50 most powerful people for 2021, and it’s now time to reveal the top 10.

Warwick is a town full of movers and shakers making their mark, and to celebrate just a few of our best and brightest the Daily News has been counting down the Rose City’s 50 most influential figures.

From prominent business identities and industry leaders to high-flying athletes and dedicated volunteers, they’re the residents helping to change Warwick for the better every day.

If you missed earlier instalments counting down positions 50-31 or 30-11, check them out here before reading the final part of the series below.

These are the top 10 most powerful people in Warwick for 2021:

Warwick State High School principal Joy Craig. Picture: NRM

10. Joy Craig

Heading up the town’s biggest high school through a pandemic is by no means an easy feat, but it’s a challenge Warwick High principal Joy Craig has tackled head-on.

Mrs Craig took the top job in Warwick in 2016 after more than 20 years in teaching and six years as principal at Clifton State High School.

Her combination of education expertise and rural background with a passion for horse riding have made her an ideal fit for leading the massive Warwick school.

She has proven a steadfast leader through the tumultuous Covid period, handling both homeschooling and on-campus requirements to ensure students’ learning remained as seamless as possible.

With more than 800 students across Years 7 to 12, Mrs Craig is shaping and leading the way for Warwick’s next generation of leaders.

9. Lewis von Stieglitz

Whether it’s through his impressive business acumen or dedicated volunteer work, Lewis von Stieglitz is one of the key voices guiding Warwick into the future.

In his decade-long tenure as Warwick Credit Union CEO, Mr von Stieglitz has used his nearly 30 years of finance experience to not only safeguard individual residents’ funds but continue reinvesting in the town.

From major events including Jumpers and Jazz in July or Warwick Credit Union Cup Day to community ventures such as the Sports Star of the Year Awards, Mr von Stieglitz ensures any organisation that needs it is supported.

He has previously served as president of the Warwick Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in encouraging new business to invest and grow in the Rose City after Covid decimated parts of the economy.

Mr von Stieglitz is also a keen volunteer with groups such as the Rotary Club of Warwick, and it’s rare to not find him at any local event.

8. Wickham group

Graham and Donna Keogh, Darren and Lynelle Eather, and Hadyn and Kerri Lamb head up one of the region’s biggest local employers in the Wickham Group.

Through a series of challenges from drought to fires and a global pandemic, the multidimensional business has kept both its farming and transport divisions trucking along.

All of the family maintain hands-on management roles within the company, with hundreds of employees between North Queensland and Victoria.

The team also throws its support behind local events such as the rodeo and campdraft in both Warwick and Killarney, along with donating cattle supply transport and hire for other ventures.

With the next generation of the family beginning to take up roles in the business, the Wickham Group is certain to remain at the forefront of agricultural services for years to come.

7. Graeme Collins

The man behind Warwick’s flourishing Parmalat precinct, Graeme Collins has long been one of the town’s most well-regarded business identities.

Acquiring the historic former butter factory in 2018, Mr Collins has transformed the beautiful old building into a thriving business precinct.

From fitness hub Ironside Industry to cafe and dining ventures such as The Dairy Lounge and Ranch Bakehouse, Mr Collins’ know-how and leadership has given locals the confidence to follow their own dreams.

Mr Collins rose to prominence as the owner and operator of car dealership Graeme Collins Automotive, which has since rebranded as Cassels Automotive under new ownership.

LIFE'S WORK: Bob Hart, 92, looks back on 70 years of progress at Warwick's John Dee - Australia's oldest single-family owned meat processor in 2018.

6. John Dee team

From humble beginnings of just ten employees, John Dee has catapulted to a staff of more than 500 and earned their place as one of the nation’s most prominent meat processing facilities.

Bob Hart spent decades building the business into what is now Australia’s oldest single-family owned meat processor, never marrying but always emphasising the importance of family.

Mr Hart was honoured with the Business Platinum Award in 2017 in recognition of his service to the Warwick community.

Stepping back from his role as company director in 2017 at age 92, Mr Hart passed the family legacy on to his nephew John and current chief executive Warren Stiff.

Overcoming challenges of the Covid pandemic such as China’s export ban on beef in August last year, the agricultural powerhouse remains a cornerstone of Warwick’s agricultural sector and sustainable employment.

Member for Southern Downs James Lister in front of Warwick Town Hall.

5. James Lister

Since his election as Member for the Southern Downs in 2016, James Lister has tirelessly campaigned for his regional and rural constituents.

He moved into politics after 17 years in the Royal Australian Air Force, where he moved up through the ranks to squadron leader and earned prestigious accolades such as the active service and Afghanistan medals.

Mr Lister has since used his political platform to advocate for the ex-service community and better mental health support networks.

He has also fought strongly to put the Southern Downs on the map through tourism, industry, and agriculture, and has been a fierce voice in state parliament for his community.

Mr Lister has actively campaigned during the Covid crisis to see the Southern Downs’ border communities given a fair go amid border closures, including petitioning for a cross-border commissioner.

Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi

4. Vic Pennisi

Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi won the overwhelming support of the region in the 2020 election, scoring the top job after 16 years as a councillor.

Campaigning on a platform of trust and transparency, Cr Pennisi has remained focused on making council decisions and processes open to the community and building a relationship with constituents.

He may be a long-term Stanthorpe resident but the Mayor is a passionate ambassador for the entire region, throwing his support behind almost every event and organisation right across the Southern Downs.

Cr Pennisi has been burdened with the unenviable task of leading the region through the Covid crisis and tail end of the drought, making often tough calls on the budget and rebates to safeguard the community.

Now faced with hopefully less tumultuous days ahead, Cr Pennisi has a keen focus on chipping away at Southern Downs Regional Council’s debt and tackling the $30 million infrastructure upgrades.

3. David Littleproud
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has given Warwick a direct line into Australian politics, both calling the Rose City home and with an office on Palmerin Street.

The Maranoa MP’s role as the Agriculture Minister makes him a fierce advocate for Warwick’s thriving agricultural industry.

He was closely involved with campaigns for the long-awaited Eight Mile intersection upgrades, and through the 2021-22 federal budget invested millions of dollars into the region’s infrastructure, aged care, and domestic violence services.

2. Fraser family

From spearheading an industry-leading business to a range of community initiatives, the Frasers are among Warwick’s biggest heavyweights.

Leading one of Warwick’s biggest businesses in Frasers Livestock Transport to national success, the family put their beloved community on the map and continue to support the region’s agricultural sector.

But the Frasers’ contribution to the Rose City certainly doesn’t stop with business.

Les is the long-term president of the Warwick Polocrosse Club and was congratulated for bringing the sport’s World Cup to town in 2019 with the Queensland Sport Service to Sport Award.

Ross has been honoured with an Order of Australia Medal and inducted into the National Transport Hall of Fame and Shell Rimula Wall of Fame in recognition of his immense contribution to the industry. 

With Les’ son Warwick now stepping into a management role at the family business to lead it into the next generation, the Frasers have fast become one of the community’s biggest assets and seem likely to remain a regional powerhouse for years to come.

Condamine Medical Centre co-owner Doctor Lynton Hudson has been named Warwick’s most influential person for 2021. Photo Michael Cormack / Warwick Daily News

1. Dr Lynton Hudson

Being one of the region’s most prominent and trusted medical professionals is a tough gig at the best of times, much less while facing a global pandemic, but it’s one Dr Lynton Hudson has made look easy.

The Condamine Medical Centre co-owner is one of Warwick’s longest-serving doctors and has additional qualifications in paediatrics, obstetrics, anaesthetics, and acupuncture to stay at the forefront of his field.

Dr Hudson has led the community every step of the way through the Covid pandemic, ensuring patients were able to get the care they needed during lockdown and had the most up-to-date information on the virus.

He and the CMC team also spearheaded the respiratory and Covid testing clinics in Warwick, along with the town’s Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine rollout.

Dr Hudson has been an unwavering voice of reason in times of crisis and campaigned tirelessly for residents to protect themselves and the community with the Covid jab as the state’s virus uncertainty continues.

His steadfast leadership under extreme pressure and tireless commitment to his patients and the community have earned Dr Hudson the title of Warwick’s most powerful figure for 2021.