Some have played an integral role in business or development, while others have built the future through the education of the city’s children.

The rich cultural heritage of the Quandamooka people continues to be embraced and acknowledged across the Coast, thanks to the tireless work and dedication of many elders who generously share their knowledge.

Scientists and environmentalists have also played a role, keeping watch over the koala population, the shore birds, bushland vegetation, coastline, Moreton Bay and its islands.

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INTRODUCING REDLANDS COMMUNITY NEWS

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Built by dedicated local people, the city is rich in art and culture, with its own performing arts centre, art galleries, winery and entertainment venues at the many pubs and clubs.

At the sports grounds, it’s not just about the players on the fields but, importantly, those behind the scenes – selling meat tray raffle tickets, running the sausage sizzles and coaching the swimmers, the tennis players, hockey teams and footballers, all the while building self-esteem among young people, promoting fitness and giving little kids big dreams for the future.

So as Quest Community News announces our arrival on the Redlands Coast, we think it’s a good opportunity to say thanks to some of the people who have helped shaped the city.

In today’s instalment of the Redlands Coast Power 30 list we look at the people making a difference in sport.

SANDRA MIDDLETON

When you talk about surf lifesaving in the Redlands, a name that will always come up is Sandra Middleton.

Middleton has been a major contributor to the surf lifesaving movement in the area since she signed up with the Point Lookout Surf Lifesaving Club almost 20 years ago.

Within two years she had gained her bronze medallion and went on to play a role in many life-saving situations as well as a leader of the nippers, club secretary and as club president for several years.

Middleton has also encouraged many young Redlanders to become involved in the sport, as well ensuring the beaches of North Stradbroke Island are safer places for locals and residents alike. It was while training for her Bronze Medallion that she started to fully appreciate what life savers were volunteering to do on patrol and wanted to help out where she could.

She has been involved in many rescues and was honoured with a Medal for Lifesaving Excellence by Surf Life Saving Queensland in 2014 for her role in recovering and resuscitating a fisherman who had fallen into the ocean at North Gorge the previous year. Sadly, the man died in hospital a few days later.

Middleton’s contribution is one of high achievements in surf lifesaving, which has also involved significant community service and mentoring. The service that Middleton and her club provide is quite literally a matter of life and death.

KIM MILES

Without Kim Miles, football in Capalaba wouldn’t be the same.

Miles is in her 18th year as a volunteer at the Capalaba Bulldogs Football Club and has been in numerous roles at the club, based at John Fredericks Park, including secretary and senior chairperson.

However, most would just describe her as the “go to person” for anything at the Bulldogs.

Miles, who won the Football Brisbane Volunteer of the Year award in 2016, spends between 25-40 hours per week doing anything to help the Bulldogs become a success and allow the club to become a better environment for youngsters to get involved in the sport.

She was also awarded the Clubman of the Year for Capalaba in 2015.

“I can truly say I do what I do without expectation – to have expectation is to be doing it for the wrong reason,” Miles told Footballbrisbane.com.au as part of Females in Football Week.

“I do what I do because I enjoy it, I think others would too if they just tried it.”

CYNTHIA SARGENT

The Redlands continues to produce high level rugby league players.

And one of the biggest reasons for that is the work of Cynthia Sargent at the Capalaba Warriors Junior Rugby League Football Club.

The Warriors have produced some exceptional talent over the years, most recently former Brisbane Broncos forward Mitchell Dodds, who also won back-to-back Intrust Super Cup premierships with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls as well as Lachlan Lewis and others.

Sargent has been involved at the Warriors since 1997 and in almost every role except for president of the club.

“I just love to be involved and to help create a place that is safe for the kids and for them to enjoy the sport,” Sargent said.

“I’m a mad rugby league fan, I had kids who played at the club and then just stayed involved.”

Sargent said she has really enjoyed watching the club develop over the years and seeing players go onto a higher level.

Her impact on the game has also been noticed by others in the community.

“Especially with the inclusion of women’s competitions in the game, Cynthia has played a big role in that and it just gives more people the opportunity to play the sport and go onto bigger and better things,” Councillor for Capalaba Paul Gleeson said.

STUART GREENWAY

Stuart Greenway wants others, in particular, youngsters to have the same opportunity he had.

And that is to have the opportunity to swim and be part of a club.

Greenway has been part of the Capalaba Swimming Club since 1991 in a variety of roles, including president, which he has been many times and currently sits in that seat right now.

But his biggest impact came 18 months ago when the club was on the verge of collapse but he and three other life members in Sally-Ann Chapman, Chris Webster and Margaret Shepherdon stepped in to save it.

“The club has been a big part of my life and I didn’t want to see it go but also I want young people in the area to have the opportunity to swim and have a pathway here,” Greenway said.

“If the club isn’t here, some people who are swimming now probably wouldn’t have got involved in the sport.”

The club has risen in numbers since Greenway and others saved it from collapse and members are looking forward to what the future brings.

ADAM PRYDE

The future of sport in the Redlands is bright with people such as Adam Pryde.

Pryde has been a star on the touch football field, earning multiple high-level representative positions during his career, including donning the green and gold and playing for Australia.

He has also represented his home region after being the skipper for the Redlands Crushers in the Brisbane Metro Championships.

But not only is he a star performer on the field, he also plays a major role in ushering through the next generation of stars.

Pryde, who is a local high school teacher, runs a school touch football academy and also assists with other junior development programs to give back to the young talent on the Redlands Coast.

It is these achievements which also helped Pryde claim the Sports Award, shared with Cleveland Air Magic - Gold Fire Team, at the recent Redlands Coast Australia Day awards.

“Adam is a sporting powerhouse who also mentors young sports talent on Redlands Coast,” Redland City Council mayor Karen Williams said after the awards.