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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20. NICK CUMMINS

Nick Cummins’ influence stretches from the football field to the television screen.

Cummins is best known as the wild-haired winger with the knockabout “Honey Badger” persona of wacky one-liners and bullocking tries for the Wallabies and Western Force.

The St Francis College student grew up in Chambers Flat but moved to Sydney in 2005 and began playing for the Randwick rugby club.

From there Cummins’ star continued to rise as he was drafted onto the Western Force. Then in 2012, he was invited to play for the Wallabies. Cummins has scored six tries for Australia and won 77 per cent of games he’s played in.

He later played two years with the Japanese club, Coca-Cola West Red Sparks.

Cummins rose to fame when many of his post-match interviews went viral due to his entertaining quips.

This year appeared on Channel 10 as The Bachelor and he has also been a presenter on National Geographic program Meanwhile in Australia.

19. ALEX LEAPAI

Alex ‘The Lionheart’ Leapai has been a sporting icon to many, perhaps for his amazing comeback story.

The-39-year-old was on track to playing for the Cowboys, but his career was cut short when he received a 12 month ban for threatening an umpire in an under 20s game.

He turned to alcohol and drugs and in 2005 was handed a six-month sentence for assaulting two bouncers outside a nightclub. Since then he has passionately preached to schoolchildren not to follow the same path he did.

In 2014, the former Logan truck driver became the first Australian in more than 100 years to challenge for the undisputed world heavyweight title in Germany.

He may have lost in the fifth round against Klitschko in Oberhausen but it was a massive effort.

Leapai has now scored 26 KOs wins in 32 wins and he is now reportedly chasing another big fight in Europe.

18. CAMERON SMITH

Cameron Smith is one of the most powerful forces in the history of rugby league.

The former Australian and Queensland captain came from working class Marsden, a modest home within walking distance of both Marsden State School and Marsden State High School.

Smith, 35, grew up playing junior rugby league for Logan Brothers.

Today, the two-time Dally M winner has over 50 Test matches for Australia under his belt.

He is one of only five players in history to have scored more than 2000 career points.

Smith has played 42 State of Origins for Queensland, many of them as captain, and had four Wally Lewis medals bestowed on him.

He is influential simply because of the example he has set and because he is a true champion on and off the field and certainly will be an immortal.

17. DAMI IM

Dami Im is known as one of Australia’s most stylish singing stars. She shot to fame after winning X Factor in 2013, won second place at Eurovision in 2016 and has released five albums.

The Daisy Hill singer is known for achieving the highest Eurovision score for Australia.

After winning the fifth season of The X Factor, Im released her debut single Alive, which debuted at number one on the ARIA singles charts. This year she performed at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

When she is not singing, Im is an ardent charity supporter, especially of Compassion Australia. She travelled to Uganda to meet her Compassion sponsored child just weeks after being named runner-up at the Eurovision Song Contest.

She also is known to return to her former school John Paul College to mentor and motivate students.

16. TERRY BLACKER

It takes a good sense of humour to keep Logan entertained on a weekly basis.

But Logan FM101 radio station manager Terry Blacker, or TJ for short, has that in spades.

The dulcet tones of TJ, the charismatic DJ, are heard every Friday morning when he brings the best music and hits to the airwaves.

His radio career started in 1977 with commercial radio 6NW in Western Australia, where he presented a variety of “on-air” programs including talkback and interviews.

He has also been associated with a number of radio stations across the country from Beenleigh to Gladstone and Rockhampton.

TJ said when on air, the most important person was the listener.

“I’m constantly reminded why people listen to the radio: entertainment, access to information, relaxation and Companionship,” he said.

As 101FM station manager, being part of the great radio station has provided him with the opportunity to deliver the skills and experience required, to uphold and maintain the day to day operations of a successful radio station.