Logan’s 20 most influential young guns – athletes, volunteers, entrepreneurs
From professional athletes, small business owners, entrepreneurs, community advocates and big hearted volunteers, meet Logan’s 20 most talented and inspirational young people. SEE THE LIST, VOTE IN OUR POLL
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From professional athletes, small business owners, entrepreneurs, community advocates and big hearted volunteers, meet Logan’s 20 most talented and inspirational young people.
With a drive for success and a mind for business, these Logan young guns are making their mark on the region and beyond.
Quest Newspapers has listed 20 talented community members aged 25 or under who are using their influence and skills to succeed.
Find out who they are and then scroll to the bottom of the list to tell us who you believe is having the biggest influence on the region.
SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO VOTE IN THE POLL
Felicity McNichol, 19
Felicity McNichol is a second year advanced science student at the QUT who graduated from Shailer Park State High School as Dux in 2022.
Beyond the chemistry lab, Felicity is involved in many aspects of university life.
She splits her time between the Dean’s scholars program, volunteering as a fellow in the College of Excellence and working as a student ambassador and HiQ concierge.
Ms McNichol has assisted in running the College of Excellence Camp where new university students spent three days at Noosa, engaging in a range of team building and development activities.
One of Felicity’s goals is to promote women in STEM.
“It can seem like such a daunting thing, but STEM is for everyone and I want girls everywhere to feel like they can do anything and belong wherever they choose to go.”
Hunter Thompson, 23
Beenleigh-based Hunter Thompson recently returned from the Virtus Global Games in Paris where he was surprised and humbled to win gold in the newly-introduced category for tennis players with autism.
The 23-year-old athlete has achieved great things in the ever-changing world of athletes with disabilities and continues to inspire the next generation.
Hunter was also named the 2022 Elite Athlete with a Disability at the City of Logan Sports Awards last year.
Like many others on the spectrum, Hunter also has sensory sensitivities and can get overwhelmed while playing on sand or clay courts.
Despite these challenges, Hunter has served and sliced his way into the upper echelons of Australian tennis, training with the likes of Christos Kyrgios, brother of Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios.
Nadya Wilson, 23
Marsden-based artist Nadya Wilson uses her artwork to bridge the distance between different aspects of her heritage.
Nadya, who has an Australian-Malay (Singaporean) background, was announced as the recipient of the 2024 Robyn Daw Young Visual Artist Scholarship.
The new scholarship program honours former Logan City Council employee, the late Robyn Daw, who led the Creative Industries Program from 2012 until the time of her passing in January 2022.
Nadya was chosen as this year’s emerging artist and will receive a $7000 cash scholarship and private mentorship session.
She uses her artwork to examine the disconnection she feels within her bi-cultural identity.
Leila Alexander, 15
While most teenagers would rather be in bed in the morning, 15-year-old Leila Alexander rises early to prepare for gruelling triathlons.
She gets her swimming practice in at local destination Greenbank Pool, often clocking upwards of 4km — equivalent to 160 laps.
Leila recently returned home from the Australian Schools Triathlon Championships in Tasmania with two silver medals in hand thanks to impressive performances in the individual and mixed relay events.
She is the generation perfectly placed to dream big as she eyes off every athlete’s dream – competing for her home country at an Olympics, this time on home soil in Brisbane.
Whether she gets there as a competitor, a spectator or a volunteer, she typifies the passionate sporting culture in the Logan community.
Briana Dinsdale, 20
Country music rising star Brianna Dinsdale has shared the stage with legendary artists such as the Wolfe Brothers, John Williamson, Pete Murray and The Whitlams.
The Logan musician was recognised when she was awarded the prestigious Keith Urban Scholarship to The CMAA Academy of Country Music.
Dinsdale’s live performances centre on captivating a strong, stage presence and she has played the Groundwater Country Music Festival and the Gympie Music Muster.
She is set to make waves with her latest single, “Whiskey Worked That Way” and her band are gearing up to play multiple large country music festivals around Australia throughout 2024.
Samuel Glancy, 16
In 2017, a then nine-year-old Samuel Glancy realised there was a need to help local schoolchildren with school supplies.
He met two boys that had escaped from domestic violence, they had no beds, no food, no Christmas presents and it changed his world and opened his eyes.
That’s when he founded Kids4Kids Foundation.
Mr Glancy is also a prominent member of the Calvary Christian College community in Springwood and is still only a Year 11 student.
Mr Glancy has made a significant impact by providing over 120,000 essential school supplies to underprivileged children, and their positive influence continues to expand.
Fahima Ahmadi, 21
Fahima Ahmadi received awards for diversity and inclusion as well as the minister’s award.
She said as a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, the 21-year-old’s ancestors had experienced persecution throughout their history.
“Those like my family who were displaced, have been in search of a new and safe home for many years,” she shared on social media.
Many lost lives in the oceans, were killed in European borders and those who made it, are still experiencing generational trauma.
“Four years ago, I felt welcomed since the minute I stepped at the Brisbane airport which was followed by the unforgettable smile of the gentleman who looked at my eyes and said, ‘Welcome to Australia’.”
Coby Black, 19
A current Brisbane Broncos NRL squad member, 19-year-old Coby Black was a Queensland schoolboy representative in 2023
He captained Marsden State High School to a final four finish in the Queensland Schoolboy Rugby League Championships.
Black has gone on to lead his Burleigh Bears side to a grand final of the Mal Meninga competition in 2024 as well.
They played Tweed Seagulls recently for the title and Coby Black will no doubt be getting inspired to one day don the maroons as State of Origin begins.
Chelsea Grewcoe, 30
Logan Village SES volunteer Chelsea Grewcoe was recognised as the City of Logan’s Young Volunteer of the Year in 2022
Ms Grewcoe, who lives in Buccan, joined the SES in January 2021 and has since volunteered more than 280 hours to training and responding to emergencies across the city.
She has also regularly given up her weekends to help train emergency service cadets.
Isabelle Parisi, 24
The 24-year-old horse rider from Park Ridge started riding horses when she was five and became a PRARG member three years ago after moving up from Gold Coast.
Parisi’s condition is Velo cardio facial syndrome, there are a possible 186 issues that can arise from having the syndrome.
The Special Olympics World Games Berlin allowed pin trading, where Bella and her team swapped Australian pins with other countries to share some of their culture and make new friends.
Parisi competed against more than 140 competitors in three events with her borrowed horse Nike for Dressage, English Trail and Equitation and came home with three golden wins for her performance.
She had to compete in States and Internationals before competing in the World games at Special Olympics. She won herself three gold medals in States with her quarter-horse Sunni, two in Internationals with Italian palomino Nike, and now three in World, also with Nike.
Gabrielle Crotty, 21
Gabrielle Crotty won Logan young citizen of the year award in 2020.
She is passionate about charity work and was nominated for her efforts with St Vincent de Paul, as well as organising a successful anti-bullying campaign for local youth.
Ms Crotty has encouraged more members of the community to nominate any young people they think are outstanding and deserve recognition.
Sienna Lofipo, 19
A current Gold Coast Titan NRLW player, Sienna Lofipo led the Marsden State High School team to the inaugural NRL Schoolgirl Cup title in 2022.
Lofipo was recently selected in the Queensland Women’s State of Origin team for game 1 of the 2024 series.
She was part of the grand finalist Gold Coast Titans team in 2023 and will again feature this year as they look to go one better.
Lofipo returned to the school, working within the support staff aligned with rugby league and dance.
Elahi Elahi, 18
A dedicated volunteer since the age of 11, Elahi Elahi was recognised for her extensive volunteer and advocacy work in the community.
The Marsden resident juggled high school and two jobs while volunteering for Hummingbird House, Redkite, and Youth off the Streets.
She was recently appointed as one of four youth leaders to represent Australia internationally at The Y’s Global Youth Advisory Council.
She also represents Woodridge in the Queensland Youth parliament and serves on the committees of both Youth UN and Make It 16.
Amelia Ayris, 18
Amelia Ayris was born in Adelaide but is now based in Brisbane.
She is an actress, vocalist, musician and model who has worked on feature films, short films, TV series, voice overs, professional theatre and webseries.
Amelia performs regularly as a professional vocalist at various events and has been nominated for several volunteer awards
Ms Ayris’ work off the stage was just as impressive and she was made the first junior ambassador for charity organisation Bravehearts (Australia’s largest child protection organisation).
The Yarrabilba women continues to inspire and aims to move into writing and directing down the track.
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, 17
A much hyped, future NRLW prospect, Mercedez is known on the field for her stout defensive work in the centres.
A graduate from Marsden State High School, Taulele-Siala had a breakout year for her footy in 2023.
She represented the Australian Schoolgirls Rugby League competition, Queensland Rugby League and Rugby 7s.
She also received prestigious accolades such as the Tweed Heads Harvey Norman Player of the Year and made it to the Metropolitan East representation side.
The promising future NRLW star was crowned Logan young athlete of the year in 2013 and will be one to watch for the future in the powerful maroon colours.
Bella Marie Anderson, 18
Springwood’s Bella-Marie Anderson was awarded the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award in 2023.
Ms Anderson was acknowledged for her ongoing support of those within the Logan community who are experiencing homelessness, poverty and even domestic violence.
She has been a major ambassador and contributor to local outreach organisation ‘Touch of Hope’.
Maddi Schipplock, 18
Maddi Schipplock volunteers coaching girls as well as a League Safe officers for rugby league at Beenleigh Junior, mentoring under 13 girls.
She fundraises for funding and has played rugby league since she was five years old.
Schipplock has played the most games for any woman at the club and is the third generation to play at the club and lead the way to a premiership victory and the first girl to reach 100 games.
She represented South Coast regional to the Qld championship.
Maddi just turned 18 herself and has helped supervised the under 13 girls to NRLW State of Origin. Maddi continues to play for Beenleigh Open Ladies, with her young friends watching with aspirations to follow in her footsteps.
Breanna Anderson, 14
Breanna has volunteered with organisation Touch of Hope for the past four years.
She has a passion for helping and serving the community and Touch of Hope says her love, empathy, compassion, and
attitude towards the community is outstanding.
Breanna has taken on the role of assisting at the food table and serving the community while mingling with and attending to the community.
Breanna helps Touch of Hope by making food hampers for struggling families, toiletry packs, dignity bags, and
school stationery packs for children.
Her loving and compassionate attitude towards her volunteering role has inspired a few of her friends to come out and help out at the Logan Outreach.
“Thank you Breeanna, you are an inspiration,” a representative from Touch of Hope said.
Oscar Targett, 18
Having raced competitively since 2013, Oscar Targett is making waves in the motorsport community.
His already impressive wrap sheet has seen him cut his teeth in the Australian Micro Max Championship and work his way through a number of Australian Karting competitions.
He then moved to Europe in 2022 to compete in the sport’s top level KZ2.
Amongst other brilliant results he came away from the FIA World Championship finishing P20 in a field of 126 drivers.
Oscar Targett, 18 is a rising star in the auto racing world and represents Grove Racing.
In 2024 Targett takes on Australia’s most competitive Junior Series, the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge. He is currently leading the championship after Round 2.
Oscar loves his fitness and currently trains with ex-Formula 1 trainer Phil Young in his pursuit of a long career in Motorsport. He attends Supercar events with Penrite/Grove Racing to further expand his knowledge with the aim of racing in Supercars.
Targett was also a recipient of the Young Sportsman of the Year award at the Logan Sports awards in 2022 as well as nominee of the overall Logan Sportsperson of the Year.
Connor Gillen, 20
Connor Gillen, 20, was named the 2019 Junior Athlete of the Year at the City of Logan Sports Awards and shared the spotlight with local athletes Ashley Moloney and Nathan Harvey.
Weighing in at 45kg, Gillen won gold at his first under 15 Muay Thai world championship title at Bangkok in March, 2019 and dominated against elite competitors, including a Russian kickboxer in the Grand Final.
Gillen trains at Muay Thai Mulisha in Munruben with his coach Chris Johnstone.
Muay Thai kickboxing will be recognised as an Olympic sport in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which Gillen intends to contest.
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