The Wynnum-Manly Power 30 list

Wynnum-Manly’s Power 30 list: 5-1 most influential people

Brayden Heslehurst

3 min read·July 31, 2019 - 12:00AM

Wynnum Herald

WE’RE counting down the top 30 most influential people who help make the Wynnum-Manly community a great place to live.

There are so many people in our community who are doing great things and who are helping to make great things happen.

The list is only a sample and people are encouraged to suggest others.

Let’s acknowledge the people who help to make our community the great place it is.

Let the Wynnum Herald know in the comments what you think of the list and who you would include.

Developer Justin Ham on the site of the new cinema. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Walker

5. Justin Ham

Our top five starts with someone, who is responsible for bringing Wynnum something residents have been crying out for, for more than a decade — a cinema.

Justin Ham from Berrima Develop Pty Ltd, who also owns the Waterloo Bay Hotel, is responsible for the new cinema development to happen on Berrima St which already started construction earlier this month and is scheduled to finish in late 2020.

The development will also feature residential units and some other commercial operations but there’s no doubt the realisation of a Wynnum Cinema is one of the biggest moments in recent bayside history.

Cr Peter Cumming, Councillor for Wynnum Manly for 25 years.

4. Peter Cumming

Peter Cumming has served the residents of the bayside for more than a quarter of a century as a member of the Brisbane City Council. The ALP member celebrated 25 years in the ward in April, just a week after his 59th birthday and has been a key member of the community and responsible for important moments in the history of the area.

One of his priorities when elected in 1994 was turning the bayside into an area full of fun and attracting parks and he did that, which he said was one of his highlights during his time.

He has also played a significant role in the approval of developments over the years, including the current boom happening in the CBD with developments such as the Wynnum Cinema as well as other commercial operations and unit complexes.

Aside from that Cr Cumming also spends his time helping several bayside community groups including charities, sporting clubs and much more.

Mark Beitz. Picture: Mark Calleja

3. Mark Beitz

Mark Beitz loves his bayside community and has used his position with Bartons to make a positive influence on the community where he lives.

Mr Beitz was previously the company’s dealer principal while under Doug Barton but recently took over Bartons, which has five showrooms in the Wynnum and Redlands area.

Bartons has also had more than $10 million of developments happening for either new or upgraded showrooms happening within the past year.

However, it is this position he has used to continue the Bartons tradition of supporting almost every community group and sporting club in the bayside area.

From rugby league to tennis, golf and more, Bartons does a lot of work to help the residents in the Wynnum and Manly areas and Mr Beitz has been a key reason for this continuing in recent years.

Mick Power. Picture: Jamie Hanson

2. Mick Power

With a career spanning more than 40 years in the constructions and urban development industries, and more than 36 years as group board chairman and managing director of BMD, Mick Power has a record of outstanding achievement as a business owner and partner.

Under his leadership, BMD has grown to become one of Australia’s largest privately owned construction and urban development organisations.

And just like Bartons, who have partnered with BMD to support several groups on the bayside including the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Wynnum Golf Club, Mr Power has used his position to give back to the community.

Whether it be supporting charities or events or schools and sporting groups, Mr Power and BMD have played a significant role in the growth of the bayside community for more than two decades.

Doug Barton.

1. Doug Barton

For almost four decades, Doug Barton had put his money where his mouth is to help the bayside community become what it is today.

Not only did he run one of the oldest business in Wynnum until just recently, he also helped Bartons become one of the most successful car dealerships in Queensland, which has continued to grow after he decided to step away and retire.

Through this success, Mr Barton used every opportunity possible to give back to the community where he grew up, through financial support of almost every community group in the area.

Without the support of Bartons, these groups would not have been able to stay alive or provide an avenue to thrive on the bayside.

Bartons have been one of the biggest supporters of local charities, schools, sporting groups and more in the area for decades, putting in millions of dollars to help the bayside and its residents move forward.