It has been several years since we last compiled a list of the region’s most influential people.

While some have retained a place on the list there are a number of new people, including a new person in the top spot.

Here are Redcliffe’s 30 most influential people:

30. Adam White

Adam White is the founder of the Redcliffe Man Walk branch.

The group celebrated its 100th walk earlier this year with more 130 men walking, talking and supporting each other.

Mr White has created a safe space for Peninsula men to come together, have a chat and exercise.

The group’s Facebook group has close to 800 members.

Mr White said the youngest walker was 8 and the oldest 93-years-old.

They meet twice a week on Tuesday and Saturday at the Redcliffe Jetty at 6.30am.

Mr White also lobbied for funding for a new synthetic athletics track at Deception Bay Little Athletics.

29. Les Barkla

Founder of the Pristine Peninsula Community Group Les Barkla is not one to let anything stand in his way of cleaning up our bay. Mr Barkla has poured many hours into his latest project – The 100 Day Campaign to reduce litter in Clontarf. He has liaised with politicians, business owners and residents in a bid to tidy up a 2km radius of a key litter hotspot in Clontarf.

28. Captain Kerry Lopez

Brisbane Whale Watching, with Captain Kerry Lopez, at the helm draws 12,000 visitors to the Redcliffe Peninsula each whale season. She is the only woman captain operating a whale watching venture in the South Pacific Rim. The businesswoman is dedicated to the protection of whales, marine life and the environment. Despite COVID-19 and the impact it had on the tourism industry Captain Lopez continued to operate – drawing plenty of visitors to the region, providing a big boost to the economy.

27. Patrick Bulman

Encircle Redcliffe Neighbourhood Centre provides counselling services to domestic violence victims, family support and services for those in need. Group CEO Patrick Bulman an advocate for White Ribbon Day. The group organises an annual march for White Ribbon Day through Redcliffe.

26. Bob and Nancy Richardson

When jeweller Bob Richardson and his wife Nancy opened a small jewellery store in Comino’s Arcade in 1957 they never dreamed the business would be going strong 60 years later. There are now three generations of family members working in the business. They have two stores, one at Peninsula Fair Shopping Centre and the Westfield at North Lakes.

25. Bob Crudgington

President of the Redcliffe Environmental Forum and winner of this year’s Moreton Bay Regional Council’s 2021 Australia Day Environment Award Bob Crudgington has helped many green projects come together.

Mr Crudgington was instrumental in revitalising the Hays Inlet area and campaigning for funding for the eco path boardwalk.

The Newport man, who founded the environmental forum, has spend more than a decade working to protect our environment, improve local habitats and inspire the next generation of eco warriors.

24. Sean Gordon OAM

Sean Gordon is the founder and CEO of SchoolAid — a program which aims to develop the next generation of philanthropists. It has been embraced by schools across Australia enabling young people to fundraise for causes they care about.

23. Dan Nebe

Rockin 4 the Homeless, an annual charity event held in Redcliffe, would not have raised the tens of thousands of dollars it has since its introduction in 2014 without the help of Dan Nebe. The musician, who was been nominated for a 2018 Pride of Australia Medal dedicates hundreds of hours to organising the charity concert. Through his connections in the music industry he has secured some huge headline acts for the concerts including Angry Anderson and Hoodoo Gurus Unplugged. He also volunteers regularly at The Breakfast Club of Redcliffe. Mr Nebe also does a lot of work to support local musicians and bands.

22. 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.

21. Kerri-Anne Dooley

Kerri-Anne Dooley was a LNP candidate at the last state election. Ms Dooley is the Care Service Manager for Home Instead Senior Care. She is also the chairwoman of Redcliffe Crime Stoppers and an ambassador for Redcliffe Relay for Life. She is also the chair of the Moreton Bay Dementia Alliance — which aims to create a network of business and service providers passionate about creating a dementia friendly community.

20. Neville Cullen

Redcliffe RSL Sub-branch president Neville Cullen, who is a Vietnam Veteran, is leading the fight to improve the lives of returned servicemen and women. The RSL sub-branch organises care packages to send to Australian troops serving abroad, is a huge supporter of Redcliffe Relay for Life and runs a Christmas appeal in conjunction with St Vincent de Paul Society. The RSL itself has gone through plenty of changes in the past 10 years including the recent expansion which includes new dining areas.

19. Karl Winchester and Sandra Ruck

Both Karl Winchester and Sandra Ruck were elected to represent Division 6 and 5 at the 2020 Local Government elections. The duo are both new to politics. Cr Winchester said his priorities were to review the planning scheme, build infrastructure to support growth and reducing council costs for households and businesses.

18. Chris Whiting

State Labor MP for Bancroft Chris Whiting’s electorate includes parts of Rothwell and Deception Bay. He was re-elected in 2020. Mr Whiting can often be spotted helping out at school tuckshops and a local sporting grounds. He has helped secure $1.5 million towards the planning stage of widening Deception Bay Rd between the Bruce Highway and Park Rd (3km) and $1 million towards a synthetic running track at Deception Bay Little Athletics club.

17. Michael Connolly

Well-known Aboriginal artist Michael Connolly has travelled the world in his role as an Indigenous Australian ambassador. He is dedicated to raising awareness of Aboriginal culture and its people. His store at Clontarf sells Indigenous products locally and around the world via his online store. He is also leading a campaign to stop imported “fake” indigenous art being sold as “authentic”.

16. Shona McKinlay

Shona McKinlay is the principal of one of the region’s largest state high schools — Redcliffe State High School. She was instrumental in the Respect — Commit to It initiative which has now been adopted by all Redcliffe and Deception Bay state schools. The project aims to teach and encourage parents, staff and parents to be respectful.

15. 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.

14. Ryan Elson

Ryan Elson is the former president of the Redcliffe Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Mr Elson is a keen supporter of local community events and is always working on ways to help improve the region. He had a lot of input in the Foreshore Activation plan and helped develop the Moreton Maritime Alliance which aims to improve the use of the Peninsula’s marine capabilities. Mr Elson recently launched a new venture Tribe — Social Belonging which aims to decrease loneliness, suicide and depression by creating opportunity through community connections. He has also launched his own podcast serious No Humble Opinions. Mr Elson also ran for Division 6 in the 2020 local government election.

13. Brad Flynn

Brad Flynn, president of Redcliffe Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is heavily involved many aspects of the community, particularly the local business scene. Through the Chamber, Mr Flynn ensured local business owners had access to advice and tips during the COVID-19 lockdown. He is also involved with the revamp and masterplan for Scarborough harbour.

12. 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.

11. Amy Mayes

Redcliffe Area Youth Space executive manager Amy 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.

10. Bob Jones/ Tony Murphy

The Peninsula is now home to a 11,500 capacity stadium due largely to the work of Redcliffe Leagues Club chairman Bob Jones and Tony Murphy Chief Executive Officer Tony Murphy. Dolphin Stadium is now complete and has attracted a number of huge events to the region including NRL trial games. It is now also the home base for A-League club Brisbane Roar. The duo also brokered a deal with NRL club the New Zealand Warriors. The club’s next mission is to be selected as the next club to join the NRL.

9. Petero Civoniceva

The man who doesn’t know how to say no. Petero Civoniceva, raised in Redcliffe, shot to fame for his rugby league abilities. For many living outside the Redcliffe Peninsula they will just know Petero for his rugby league legacy. But those on the Peninsula know Petero does a lot more than play league. He is the ambassador for numerous campaigns and advocates for many awareness initiatives including White Ribbon, suicide prevention, Food Bank, Deadly Choices, donate life and Multicap. Petero is also a mentor for students at SWELL College at Scarborough. A school for teenagers not suited to mainstream school with an interest in sport and trades.

8. Nick Tzimas

Margate would not be what it is today without the efforts of Nick Tzimas. He has been a business owner on the Peninsula for 41 years, moving The Golden Ox to its current location in Margate in 1980. He is the president of Commerce Industry Redcliffe Peninsula, having been involved in various chambers for 35 years. He played a large part in getting council to upgrade the streetscape of Margate — a cause he continues to lobby for. Mr Tzimas also lobbied politicians and councillors to get the Redcliffe Peninsula Train Line up and running. He has supported many ventures with the aim of improving the community and local business such as street Christmas parties.

7. Josh Kindred

The CEO of Kindred Group is made waves with plans to transform the Newport Marina into a hub with a hotel and residential towers. While this plan has been binned Mr Kindred has new plans for the site – to transform it into the home base for a barge to Moreton Island. A project several have tried to get off the ground before and failed. Kindred Developments have also completed several residential development projects across the Peninsula. Mr Kindred is also the principal of Kindred Real Estate which has expanded from one to four offices across the Moreton Bay region.

6. Shane Newcombe

Shane Newcombe has come a long way since graduating from Clontarf Beach State High School. Mr Newcombe has gone from being involved with Commerce Industry Redcliffe Peninsula and helping organise a Christmas party to celebrate the completion of the Margate streetscape upgrade in 2007 to being the chief executive officer Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism. MBRIT played a vital role during COVID-19, launching a drive campaign to bring tourists back to the region and support for local business owners. MBRIT has also just secured a three-year sponsorship deal with the Redcliffe Dolphins for the naming rights of the stadium. He is a committee member on the Redcliffe PCYC and a member on various boards.

5. Mayor Peter Flannery

Long time councillor Peter Flannery was elected as Mayor of the Moreton Bay Regional Council in 2020. Cr Flannery has already made it his mission to re-look at the planning scheme particularly in relation to building heights in Peninsula areas. Cr Flannery and the council played a vital role during the COVID-19 pandemic ensuring the economy kept ticking over. This included a rates relief package, fast-tracking major developments and offering discounts for business owners.

4. Moreton South Patrol Group Inspector Craig White

Inspector Craig White joined the Moreton police district in 2018. Since arriving he has been instrumental in tackling crime across the region including property offences and youth crime. In the past 12 months Inspector White played a vital role during the COVID — 19 pandemic ensuring residents and visitors were adhering to the rules such as social distancing.

3. Magistrate Mark Bucknall

Magistrate Mark Bucknall is the sitting Magistrate at Redcliffe Magistrate Court.

He was appointed in 2011 and has previously worked as a Magistrate at Caboolture and in the South Burnett region.

Magistrate Bucknall has a tough stance on domestic violence, knife crime, drug and property offences.

2. Federal LNP MP for Petrie Luke Howarth

Federal LNP MP for Petrie Luke Howarth has played a vital role in securing funding for many major projects across the Peninsula.

Mr Howarth helped secure a Medicare-MRI licence for Redcliffe hospital’s new MRI machine (soon to be available to the public), upgrades at the Deception Bay Rd/Bruce Highway interchange, funding for Dolphin Stadium upgrades and many other major projects.

1. State ALP MP for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath

State Labor MP for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath was re-elected last year with more than 45 per cent of the votes.

In the recent cabinet reshuffle Mrs D’Ath was appointed as the Queensland Health Minister, a portfolio of more importance than usual due to the current health crisis.

In recent years Mrs D’Ath has helped secure millions of dollars for upgrades at Redcliffe Hospital, including funding for a new MRI machine.

There is also plenty of money on the table for upgrades at Dolphin Stadium, major intersections, schools, a barge landing site and two new mobile police beats at Margate and Redcliffe.

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