From politicians to sportspeople, scholars to businesspeople, activists to pacifists, Logan has achievers from all walks of life who are making a difference to our lives and the way we live them.

While we can’t acknowledge all the wonderful people in our community, we have chosen the top 30 who have subscribed to Theodore Roosevelt’s aphorism that far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

There is no denying these people are influential and have worked hard to secure a better future for our community.

The Albert & Logan News, with the help of some judges, has compiled a list of Logan’s 30 most influential people — The Logan Power 30.

We’ll reveal five people every day until the top spot is announced on Monday, November 26.

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15. JANELLE MACGINLEY

With five franchises of one of the world’s most famous brands, Janelle MacGinley has played a major role in feeding Logan.

And she understands the rapidly changing demands on fast food better than most.

Along with her husband Peter, Ms MacGinley has five McDonald’s restaurants across the Logan region, with the company employing almost 600 staff.

They opened their first store in Marsden in 2001 with their fifth, a 24/7 location in Eagleby, opening late last year.

“With Peter an accountant and my marketing background, we were looking for something which would suit,” she said.

Ms MacGinley said the Eagleby site had been popular especially with people using the free business room and wi-fi.

McDonald’s global president and chief executive Steve Easterbook visited the new site during a rare trip Down Under in January.

14. NATASHA HOBSON

As president of the Logan Chamber of Commerce, Natasha Hobson plays a vital role in the city.

In 2011, she became co-owner of Logan business Alita Dental.

She is involved in the Logan Community with Beacon Foundation and holds a position on the board of directors for Men’s Legal Service.

She is passionate about politics, economics, investing and promoting growth and opportunities for Logan.

She has been working in the dental field since 1997 as a dental assistant, practice manager and receptionist and in 2016, launched a registered training organisation, The Australian Academy of Dental Assisting.

She said she has enjoyed the challenge of building and growing her business and team.

13. NAT MILLAR

You would be hard-pressed to find a mother in Logan who hasn’t heard of Nat Millar. In 2009 the 46-year-old founded Mums n Bubs Logan.

What began as a playgroup in the park has evolved into an online parenting community with almost 21,000 members.

Ms Millar said she saw a need for the group when she moved to Logan and didn’t have any mother friends. She put a post in an online forum and asked if any body wanted to meet for a play date, and in one week had 35 emails. The group switched from email to Facebook in 2010 and today Ms Millar uses the group to organise up to three events each week. Ms Millar said the main point is to get mums and their babies out of the house. But the Facebook group is also a 24/7 help forum and space that provides support to mothers so they feel less alone.

“Some mums don’t have any family or friends so Mums n’ Bubs Logan is where they come to ask anything and everything and that is just fine by me,” Ms Millar said.

“My members get help, support, a should to cry on and (an) ear to listen.”

12. KAREN MURPHY

Karen Murphy joins the Executive Board of the Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce as President for 2017/18, after previously serving as a Committee Member. Over the last nine years Karen has worked in the real estate industry where she has mastered the skills required for a successful outcome.Currently, she is a valued member of local boutique agency, Vision Property Group.

Karen has a passion for helping others and works directly with Quota International of Beenleigh, the Scripture Union Chaplaincy Program and Standing Tall Against Abusive Relationships (STAAR) among others. As a result, Karen was awarded Volunteer of the Year by Quota International and Wonderful Waterford Womens Award in recognition of community service by Shannon Fentiman MP.

Karen looks forward to working with local businesses as a part of the Beenleigh Yatala Chamber of Commerce.

11. CAMERON DICK

Woodridge MP Cameron Dick is one of Logan’s most influential people.

He currently has one of the highest-ranked positions in the Queensland government, under premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and deputy premier Jackie Trad.

He has the second highest margin in the state of more than 25 per cent, testament to his popularity in his often maligned seat of Woodridge.

As the State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Minister he is at the forefront of major projects in Logan and across the state.

Despite his high-ranking position, Mr Dick said he never takes anything for granted.

He lost his seat of Greenslopes in the 2012 state election and waited for the next term to win the new seat in Woodridge in 2015.

He is often seen chatting with constituents in his Wembley Rd electorate office.

He has been in politics since 2009 when he was elected to the seat of Greenslopes and later asked by the then premier Anna Bligh to be Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations.

He has held a range of portfolios including education and industrial relations.

He was born in Brisbane but studied at Cambridge and was a barrister before going in to politics.