Many influential people call Redcliffe and Deception Bay home — including our Moreton Bay Regional Council mayor, state Attorney-General, councillors and federal and state representatives.

Sure our politicians and councillors work hard to secure funding for major projects such as Dolphin Stadium and the Redcliffe Peninsula Line and have the final say on what developments get approved — but what about the community members who dedicated hundreds of hours lobbying the politicians?

Or the community members who just get in and get the job done themselves.

The Redcliffe & Bayside Herald, with the help of some judges, has put together a list of Redcliffe’s 30 most influential people — The Redcliffe Power 30.

The list will shine the spotlight on community members who work hard behind the scenes to shape our great suburbs.

We’ll reveal five people every day until the top spot is announced on Monday, November 5.

GET L OCAL NEWS STRAIGHT INTO YOUR INBOX

10. Marcus Riley

Marcus Riley, the CEO of Ballycara, is a champion for those in aged care. He is also the chairman of the Global Ageing Network and is on the steering committee for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People. He represented the group at the UN to discuss the needs of a convention and to identify the issues facing older people. He also hold a number of a advisory positions within the health industry.

9. Lynda and Hilton Misso

This duo are behind the ever growing Sesame Lane childcare centres. Managing director Hilton Misso and director Lynda Misso opened their first centre at Redcliffe 30 years ago. It had eight children and three educators. It has grown to have 14 services across Moreton Bay, catering for more than 1800 children and creating more than 300 jobs. The centres regularly help fundraise for The Pyjama Foundation and support the Australian Red Cross Blood Donation services. It is also part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Employer Program.

8. Olivia Hargroder

There are many, a lot older than Olivia Hargroder, who have not achieved half as much as she has. The teen who has Downs syndrome, graduated from Southern Cross Catholic College last year. She is leading a campaign to have Downs syndrome athletes given their own category in the Paralympics. Her petition gained more than 600 signatures. The work led to her being invited to speak at the United Nations Conference in New York on World Downs syndrome Day in 2017. She was named the Moreton Bay Regional Council Young Citizen of the Year in 2018 and the 2018 Queensland Young Australian of the Year. She also competed in swimming at the Special Olympics Games in April.

7. Marlene Newcombe

Marlene Newcombe was 18 when she started working at a wrecking yard — she had no idea it would lead to her being the managing direction of Village Motors. The family-owned business has three-generations working there with close to 130 employees. Village Motors sponsors many sporting clubs and community events including The Redcliffe Dolphins, The Lakes Football Club, Redcliffe Golf Club, Pine Rivers Golf Club, Jetty 2 Jetty and KiteFest to name a few.

6. Amylee Mayes

Redcliffe Area Youth Space executive manager Amylee Mayes is behind several great initiatives helping the Peninsula youths including the popular Picnic Hill event. The event is run by youths completing education certificates through the state government’s skilling Queenslander’s for Work program, which the centre is a huge supporter of. The centre has helped hundreds of young people find full time work and careers. It also offers support services for youths with mental health and social issues. Ms Mayes is a regular at chamber of commerce meetings.