Movers and Shakers: Redland’s powerful identities of 2022
The growing city of Redland has been shaped by developers, politicians, health professionals, sportspeople and community advocates. Meet the city’s top 30 influential people for 2022.
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Redland has grown into one of southeast Queensland’s most popular spots to live and work and continues to grow since becoming a city in 2008.
Many people have played a part in shaping the way it has formed.
We picked some of the city’s identities who have played significant roles from politicians, educators, sportspeople and famous celebrities.
Emily Gielnik, soccer player and women’s advocate
Emily Gielnik is a former student of Cleveland District State High who plays for Aston Villa in the FA WSL. She is also a member of the Australia women’s national team and previously played for Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory.
Her star qualities got her placings with Liverpool in England, Urawa Red Diamonds in Japan, Avaldsnes IL in Norway, Bayern Munich in Germany, and Vittsjö GIK in Sweden. She started playing for Aston Villa in September. The fun-loving striker is a household name to many members of the Cleveland community and she has become a role model for many girls getting into sports. Last year, she played with the Commonwealth Bank Matildas, competing at the Tokyo Olympics and making it on to the scoresheet against Women’s Football powerhouse, USA. She has kicked many goals on and off the football pitch, being signed by Aston Villa for the 2021/22 season, as well as being awarded the Nike Golden Boot Award for the Women’s A League in 2020/21
Daryl Pattemore, Butcher and employer
Employing more than a 100 locals over the years, Pattemore’s Meats is a local institution.
Not only has Daryl Pattemore guided his family business to win some of the industry’s top awards, Pattemore’s Meats is known for being “"revolutionaries"” in quality and innovation.
Based in Alexandra Hills, Pattemore’s Meats was also officially the maker of the nation’s best ham, winning the annual Australian PorkMark Ham Awards for the best traditional bone-in ham made from 100 per cent Australian pork. Mr Pattemore said he had watched families grow up and shared with them some of their dinner-table and barbecue discussions – including the good, the bad and the ugly.
Mary Gibb: Courthouse Restaurant owner
Long regarded as the Redlands’ premier fine dining spot, The Courthouse Restaurant at Cleveland Point Heritage Precinct was in August 2020 named by global ratings review platform TripAdvisor in the top 10 per cent of restaurants worldwide.
Proprietor Mary Gibb made waves during the initial months’ long lockdown in 2020 when she turned their fine dining experience on its head. The Redlands’ most elegant takeaway service followed and kept the business alive. Under Ms Gibb’s stewardship the restaurant not only survived but flourished among multiple lockdowns that saw many other businesses perish. An outspoken personality, Ms Gibb advocated relentlessly for local businesses during the fraught period. The Courthouse Restaurant trades from Cleveland’s original justice venue – replete with original bars for the remanded – in a timber and sandstone building famous not only for its heritage but rumoured ghost.
Phillip Holiday: Six times world champion boxer turned coach
Philip “No Deal” Holiday defended his IBF world lightweight title six times and lost his belt in a decision in 1997 to pound-for-pound great American Shane Mosely.
It was Holiday’s first loss after a mega 31-bout win streak and blistering international career. The South African expatriate moved to the Redlands in retirement where his world-class skills cemented him as the go-to authority on boxing and fitness. His NoDeal Boxing Gym in Ormiston produces champion boxers and provides boxing fitness classes with peerless pedigree for the general public. Holiday remains a regular on the international boxing scene with pre-Covid attendances at major events and has broadened into judging and refereeing. His group and private fitness classes are highly sought after and he has built a loyal following among Redlands’ youths pursuing pugilistic and fitness goals.
Deborah Vasta: Magistrate
Cleveland Magistrates Court’s presiding magistrate Deborah Vasta is a well-regarded magistrate whose rulings affect one the most demographically diverse regions in the state.
The daughter of late Supreme Court Justice Angelo Vasta, Ms Vasta is known for her pleasant manner and deep care for community. Cleveland Magistrates Court deals with the state’s highest per capita domestic violence matters, stemming from its southern Moreton Bay islands, where Ms Vasta’s diverse legal background comes to the fore. A QUT law degree graduate, Ms Vasta started her career at Legal Aid before working as a prosecutor and barrister. Ms Vasta was appointed to the Magistrates Court of Queensland in 2011, first working in Southport and Bundaberg before Cleveland.
Ashley Callus: Swimmer and Olympic gold medallist
Swimming in the Redlands took off when Ashley Callus trained in the pool at Cleveland before heading off to win Olympic gold. His family lived in the area and Callus went to school at nearby Iona College.
The 43-year-old won gold as part of the Fearsome Foursome in the 4 × 100m freestyle relay at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The sprint freestyle swimmer, of Maltese origin, was coached by Chris Urquhart, at the Cleveland Aquatic Centre. He started out training with fellow Australians Michael Klim and Chris Fydler. After finishing fourth in the 100m freestyle at the 2000 Australian Championships, Callus was selected to make his debut at the age of 21 at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the 4×100 m freestyle relay. Alongside Ian Thorpe, Michael Klim and Chris Fydler, he brought home Olympic gold and has been a celebrated honorary Redlander personality ever since.
Ron Loney: Developer Ausbuild non-executive chairman
Ron has more than four decades of experience in the real estate and property industry, which has provided the solid foundation for Ausbuild, the company he founded in 1988 with Graham Bell. From a small residential home builder his company progressed to become a well known, accredited builder.
He has developed and overseen many projects across Redland including Ausbuild’s housing estates at Thornlands, which were controversial during the planning stages for their lot sizes and housing density. He has worked closely with local and state government authorities, provided advice and direction to industry bodies and is an active local businessman, who has received many awards. He has overseen the successful introduction of family members into his management team. He managed the business through the tough economic conditions.
Liz Manricks: Redlands Centre for Women
Becoming President of the Redlands Centre for Women was one of the most challenging but most rewarding moves Liz Manricks has ever made. The charity was founded in 2008 by former single mother Katrina Beutel, who had a desire to help women in the community.
Ms Manricks said she took on the role to be part of an organisation that seeks to uplift local women with knowledge and friendship. In 2019, the centre signed a five-year lease with Redland City Council, and opened its head office in the Old Stationmasters Cottage, at 120 Shore St North, Cleveland. Ms Beutel gathered together a group of like-minded women to give Pink Pamper Packs to women in need throughout the community. From there, the charity became incorporated. In 2013, Pink Pamper Packs changed names to be the Redlands Centre for Women Inc. It is managed by a passionate and dedicated volunteer management team with a broad range of skills and experience in business, finance, and social work. The committee is supported by a team of committed, highly capable and experienced volunteers who co-ordinate all the centre’s activities.
Laurence Lancini: built the Victoria Point Eastern side shops
Laurence Lancini is the founder, managing director and executive chairman of Lancini Property Group. Starting as a home builder in Townsville, he has overseen the company’s expansion into all aspects of construction and property development across Queensland.
He built the Victoria Point Town Centre which has Woolworths, Bunnings, Dan Murphy’s, Petbarn and Supercheap Auto as well as a range of food retailers and specialty stores. It was sold to HomeCo Daily Needs REIT, which was spun-out of David Di Pilla’s Home Consortium in 2020. His company also owns the Holmview Central Shopping Centre and the Chatswood Central Shopping Centre.
Rebecca Young: Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce president
Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce president Rebecca Young has a finger in many pies across Redlands. The local businesswoman is director of Personalised Freight Solutions Global, a Redlands-based international freight forwarding company started in 2014.
She sold Personalised Freight Solutions in 2020 but retained Personalised Freight Solutions Global. She grew up in Redlands graduating from Ormiston College and starting her career in 2000 at a customs brokerage in Fortitude Valley. She made headlines last week, when she backed mayor Karen Williams and the Walker Corporation’s plans to build 3400 units and overhaul the Toondah Harbour ferry terminal in Cleveland. “We fully support the development plans put forward to turn Toondah Harbour into a thriving community supporting hundreds of new jobs, which will be a modern gateway to Straddie for international and national tourists,” she said. Prior to starting her business, she was account manager for global machinery accounts including Caterpillar and Ritchie Bros Auctions.
Wally Lewis: footy player
The man widely known as The King and The Emperor of Lang Park moved to Birkdale in 1994 and although he has moved out of Redlands after splitting with his wife Jackie, he still remains a local identity who has great business sway in the area.
Lewis, a Channel 9 sports presenter, is one of the NRL’s greatest players, with 30 Queensland State of Origins under his belt, and playing as team captain. He played 33 Tests for the Australian Kangaroos between 1981 and 1991 and was captain from 1984 onwards. He was honoured with a Member of the Order of Australia in 1987 for his service to rugby league football. He has used his influence in Redlands to help many fledgling businesses, from mowing services to driving schools, get a foothold in the market.
Ben Ely: Regurgitator
Ben is an influential musician and artist best known for his work with alternative rock band Regurgitator. Born in Brisbane, his family moved to Cleveland, which is where he went to school.
As a student at Cleveland District State High, he spent many hours in the school’s music auditorium. During his high school years he became friends with musicians Dave Atkins and Jim Sinclair, with whom he would later form Pangaea. He met guitarist Quan Yeomans in 1993, and together they formed Regurgitator. He said Metallica and Black Sabbath made him who is today. He has been the recipient of many local awards and led the way for many music students.
Kristy Pendlebury: Victoria Point Sharks president
The busy mum of three spends most of her spare time at the Colburn Ave sports club, organising events, fundraising and making sure players have the right equipment and facilities.
Her role at the club has been unsurpassed and she has spent many years behind the scenes building up membership numbers and was crucial in promoting women’s AFL at the club. She took over as president this year, stepping into a role that is often thankless and always underpaid. Outside the club, she owns a Gutter-Vac franchise and is often seen helping out locals in need.
Bede Durbidge: surfer Australian Male Surfer of the Year 2008
Straddie local and Australian surfing champion Bede Durbidge has played a major role in bringing world surfing to Queensland. He set up his own Grommet event called Bede’s Fox Grom Shootout at Point Lookout giving the locals a chance to show off their skills on a world stage.
The 39-year-old rose to the heights of Australian professional surfing competing on the World Surf League World Tour. He grew up at Point Lookout, on North Stradbroke Island, where his love of surfing gave him the chance to compete in the Australasian Junior Series. After four years in the World Qualifying Series, Durbidge joined the World Championship Tour in 2005. He won the Boost Mobile Pro in Trestles, San Clemente, California, defeating the seven-time champion Kelly Slater. He later came in second in the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast in 2007. His best season was 2008, where he finished the ASP world tour as the runner up overall. He retired from the World Surf League in 2017, after 13 seasons, including three career victories and three years where he was ranked in the Top 5. After being the lead coach for Australia’s elite surf team program in the lead up to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, he is now concentrating on business ventures. He co-owns Balter Brewing Company with Mick Fanning. His wife, Tarryn, is a social media sensation after posting videos of the gourmet lunches she made for their daughter Willow.
Marnus Labuschagne: Aussie cricketer
Aussie cricket star Marnus Labuschagne started his career with the Redlands Tigers and even though he has risen to the great heights of international stardom, he has had a major effect on promoting local cricket.
He made his debut for Redlands when he was 15 in 2009. His career had ups and downs and he was dropped to sixth grade but eventually hit the first grade in 2011. He is often seen bowling to youngsters at the Redland club’s nets. He was named Australian Men’s Test Player of the Year in 2020 and keeps strong ties with Redland players.
He married Rebekah, in 2017 after the pair met at the Gateway Baptist Church in Redland, when both were teenagers.
Delvene and Che Cockatoo-Collins: Artists and anti-domestic violence advocates
Delvene Parkin grew up on Minjerribah but did not meet her husband Che Cockatoo-Collins until she was working as a model and he was a professional AFL footballer playing for Port Adelaide and Essendon.
After getting together, the pair both moved back to Minjerribah, where they had three boys. Delvene carved out a niche as an artist and fashion designer, with her label Made on Minjerribah which she set up in 2014. She is well known after designing the motifs for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games medals. She was integral in the indigenous body Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation on the island but had also gained experience at Winangali, one of the country's leading agencies in indigenous engagement.
Both Delvene and Che have been ambassadors speaking out against family and domestic violence while Che concentrated on his work at HomeStart Finance, and the Nunga Home Loan scheme for low-to medium-income earners. He also dabbled in acting and had a small role in the 2005 Australian movie Look both Ways starring William McInnes and Justine Clarke. His younger twin brothers, David and Donald, also played for Port Adelaide Football Club and in the AFL for Melbourne. The “Cockatoo” part of his surname derives from his maternal great-great grandfather in Cape York being known as “Old Man Cockatoo”. His nephew, Nakia Cockatoo, was a professional footballer with the Brisbane Lions
Jesse James: Real estate principal and bullrider
The cowboy-hat wearing likeable larrikin real estate agent is well-known throughout Redlands for his property business and his clever video sales pitches with partner Jesse van Nek. But the young businessman, who turned Redland Bay upside-down when he started his Ray White franchise in 2010, has generously donated to many local businesses.
He stirred up Redland Bay when he organised the inaugural Grass Roots Bull Riding event in 2012. Since then, it has grown into one of the city’s largest events, offering $8500 in prize money as well as buckles and other incentives. The event, held next to the Redland Bay Hotel, includes a cutest cowgirl and cowboy event, cowboy auctions and bull rides in open, junior, novice, senior, mini and poddy. It was also a major fundraiser for The Cage, a youth outlet. His real name is Colin, but his mother added in Jesse to sit well with the surname and he grew up in Logan attending Waterford West State School.
David Paterson: Redland City Marina owner
David founded Redland City Marina after he blew the motor in his boat and couldn’t find a place to go that suited his needs.
Taking things into his own hands, he bought the slipway property which is now Redland City Marina. Since then, he has made Redland City Marina one of the best in the southeast. The real estate expert said the 50-year-old marina was a one-stop-shop for boat owners, with marine maintenance businesses also housed at the facility, along with a fully stocked chandlery. “It’s like a Bunnings for boats.”
Matthew Hayden: Aussie cricketer
Australian cricket commentator Matthew Hayden has used his power as a sports commentator to throw the spotlight on major community issues including those on North Stradbroke Island, where his family has a waterfront property.
Hayden has spoken out about beach erosion on the island and has stumped up many of his hard-earned dollars to fortify the beach in front of his property at Amity. Since the end of his 15-year cricketing career, Hayden has become a powerful voice for youth and for those who love sports. The cricketing great has gone in to bat for Amity Point residents who want to protect the township from washing away. After buying a house at Amity in 1999, he joined forces with his neighbours to urge Redland City Council to review a draft Shoreline Erosion Management Plan. The council has carried out some works and parts of the land have been fortified. Hayden holds the record for the highest score made by an Australian batsman in Tests when he scored 380. This is also the record for the highest individual test score by an opening batsman in Tests. His Test average was 50.7 and he was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2017. He was last a batting coach for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Chris Walker: anti-Toondah Harbour campaigner
Chris worked for 33 years in the power generation industry but is now focused on community and environmental advocacy to improve decision making at all levels of government. Along with Steve MacDonald, Chris founded Redlands2030, a group which has successfully held all levels of government to account over real estate developments across Redlands.
The group has a focus on Redland City Council and publishes information about planning matters. Chris also established the Wild Redlands group to promote awareness of the diverse wildlife in and around Redland, including Moreton Bay. His photos of wildlife include koalas, which have now been accepted as an endangered species, and migratory shorebirds, which spend most of their lives in Moreton Bay. He was at the forefront of protests about a 3400-unit development on the Cleveland foreshore at Toondah Harbour. The group has successfully challenged many Redland City Council planning decisions and held a spotlight to behind-the-scenes planning to develop Toondah Harbour.
Graham and Adam Leishman: Bus company and transit systems founder
Graham Leishman is director of Transit Systems, an Australian-based public transport company, which runs rail, bus and taxi services. Mr Leishman founded the company with his partners in 1995 and it now operates overseas through its subsidiary Tower Transit Group, formerly SeaLink.
Mr Leishman first started in Redland when he set up Bayside Buslines in 1985. The company eventually became Veolia and is now part of Transdev. However, Mr Leishman’s big move was into the UK, where he won a lucrative $33 million London bus contract. Transit Systems operates 3129 buses across 40 contracts in Australia, London and Singapore on behalf of governments and transport authorities. It carries 344 million passengers every year. It also owned Australia’s largest fleet of passenger and vehicular ferries and developed Enviro Cats, which have special props to save the marine environment and are fuel efficient.
Mr Leishman started out at 21 with his father running buses in New South Wales.
But he moved to Cleveland after a tragedy in 1989 when one of his buses was in a collision in Grafton and 21 people died. He successfully built his company up again and his son Adam, an Ormiston College graduate, joined Transit Systems as a consultant.
Brett Webster: Ormiston College principal
Head of Ormiston College since 2006, Brett Webster is an award-winning educator known for his focus on numeracy, literacy and technological push.
Under his leadership Ormiston College has developed into one of the state’s most sought after schools with a national reputation for technological innovation. The college in 2014 won the National Award for School Innovation at the Computelec Conference, and broke new ground when it became Brisbane’s first Microsoft Worldwide Showcase School program. A former science, math and information processing teacher, Mr Webster’s progressive agenda has attracted interest from afar, with families outside of the Redlands vying for spots at the ever-growing school.
Leonard McKeown: Cleveland District State High School principal
Leonard McKeown took over the role as acting executive principal at one of the largest high schools in southeast Queensland in 2019. Since then, he has grown into the position, vacated by much-loved long-time principal Paul Bancroft, who officially retired last year.
Mr McKeown was a guiding force for the community during the Covid-19 pandemic and has been able to calmly steer the school and its 2500 students through the chaos.
Following in the footsteps of Mr Bancroft, he has played a large role in developing global perspectives at the school, which is one of a handful in the southeast to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. He has helped the school to continue making inroads in the digital world while also building a reputation for excellence in technology, creative arts, languages and sport. He was also active in forming partnerships with industry, universities, TAFE, community groups, sporting and cultural organisations to allow students additional opportunities and advantages. Cleveland High is one of only a few schools in Australia that offers a choice of undertaking academic, business diplomas, TAFE bridging courses and applied trades skills subjects. Mr McKeown took up the post after a stint at Windaroo Valley State High School.
Steve Lambourne: businessman and hospital developer
Entrepreneur Steve Lambourne has always had a vision to create a Redland where traffic flowed, business thrived and medical help was close at hand. So he bought a large commercial block of land, once the Rural Press (Fairfax) site at Ormiston, and set about building his dream.
The Cleveland Rural managing director, who also owns SS Signs, said his investment group wanted the site to become a one-stop shop for health and wellbeing and would one day include a large research and training facility. The company, which also includes former Labor MP Michael Choi, Redland property developer Warren Pryde and Dr Craig McCombe, has spoken with leading researchers and universities in an effort to set up a centre to investigate drugs to stop ageing. Mr Lambourne said his dream precinct would help the growing city to overcome a hospital bed shortage. Cleveland Rural also owns land in an industrial estate behind the Cleveland Hospital and Weippin St medical precinct which Mr Lambourne said would one day be used for manufacturing of medical supplies. He said it was also hoped the Ormiston health hub in Delancey St, would become a university medical training ground for nurses and doctors and would also provide space for not-for-profit community organisations.
Dirk Karreman: Karreman Quarries Pty Ltd managing director and owner
In 2020 Dick Karreman took ownership of his 500th Mack truck as owner of Redland’s most significant mine. Frequently in the headlines for his business ventures, he is also notable for his pursuits in horse racing.
Situated at 616-632 West Mount Cotton Rd, Karreman Quarries is a family-owned local company dating back 50 years.
At the time of writing an online petition had gathered 23,646 signatures calling for a halt to its planned extension from its current 88 hectare footprint to a further 51 hectares.
Should the extension be granted a parcel of koala priority land equivalent in size to 65 soccer fields would be quarried. It would also eventually abutt Venman National Park and destroy up to 400 hollow log trees that conservationists claim cannot be elsewhere replicated.
A petition founder conceded there was strong support for the mine locally and Mr Karreman noted his enterprise was a bulwark against multinational companies. He explained the extended mine would be quarried at one hectare per year. The business employs 120 locals with its profits invested in the Redlands community, according to Mr Karreman.
Wendy Boglary: Politician
Wendy Boglary started out in local government in 2008 running on a platform of achieving a sustainable future while building and protecting the local economy, environment and lifestyle. She is often seen as the “Opposition” within the Redland City Council and has been a vocal spokesperson for the environment and championing issues such as parking and sensible land use.
She grew up in Beaudesert with parents who were heavily involved in church and community activities and it was those values and strong community ethics which drove her to run for council in 2008. She raised her three boys in Redland in the area she now represents and she was heavily involved in all school and sporting activities. She has promoted the city’s youth services through a number of events. After an initial career path in banking, followed by two decades of small business including running the Ormiston Foodstore, Cr Boglary ran for council to help small businesses and create employment opportunities. She has been an active advocate for the environment and sustainability through wise planning. Since being elected, she has held various positions including Deputy Mayor.
Terry Morris: Sirromet owner
He is known in Redland for his Mount Cotton winery which is the venue for many Day on the Green concerts. However, Terry Morris has many strings to his bow and is a major powerbroker in southeast Queensland.
His business ventures in Queensland range from Pronto Direct, The Performance Driving Centre at Norwell, Carrara Markets, the Gold Coast Wake Park, TEMA Property Services and The Good Times Pub Group, which owns eight hotels between the Gold Coast and Dalby. His Sirromet Wines, his name spelled backwards, helped put Redland on the international wine export map. The Morris family bought its 200-hectare Mount Cotton property in 1981 and opened its doors in 2000. It now has a fancy restaurant, Lurleen’s, named after Mrs Morris. He started out in Morwell, in the Latrobe Valley where he ran an insurance company. He moved to the Gold Coast in 1976 and ran for Albert Shire Council. But it was when he took advantage of a pricing gap and sold Queensland cigarettes to Victorians that his entrepreneurship showed. He set up the Carrara Markets and also instilled a love of car racing in his son, Paul, who became a Bathurst champion.
The Morris family also built the Norwell Motorplex and The Performance Driving Centre.
Lang Walker: Toondah Harbour developer
Property developer Lang Walker will have the most significant physical impact on the Redlands coast should his controversial Toondah Harbour project be approved. The planned $1.4 billion project by Mr Walker’s Walker Group would see the majority of 3,600 units built on RAMSAR wetlands in Cleveland.
Conservationists say the intended site is an irreplaceable breeding ground for vulnerable bird species including the critically endangered Eastern Curlew. Falling under Redland City Council’s Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area, the project has the backing of both state and federal governments. However it suffered chronic delays in approval in the face of its expected environmental impact. Its progress remains mired in controversy. In May last year the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled out public access to multimillion-dollar deals between Redland City Council, the state government and Walker Group. QCAT found the Toondah development agreements were exempt from public release under Queensland’s Right to Information laws. The ruling has led to calls for the laws to be overhauled and means residents will potentially forever be denied details pertaining to the project’s funding. It comes as local support for Toondah remains split, with many arguing it would invigorate Cleveland’s long-suffering central business district.
Valerie Cooms: Straddie indigenous leader
The most influential person on North Stradbroke Island is Dr Valerie Cooms, who is the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation chair and niece to famous indigenous poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal, also known as Kath Walker.
Dr Cooms, who is on the board of TAFE Queensland, played a vital role in the native title determination for North Stradbroke Island. She grew up on her mother’s Quandamooka country, living in the Brisbane bayside suburb of Wynnum but frequently going to Minjerribah, North Stradbroke Island. The poetry of her aunt and godmother Oodgeroo, Kath Walker, was taught in Queensland schools. She worked in the public service and holds a PhD in history. The island’s state electorate is now named Oodgeroo. From 2003 to 2008, she was the Chief Executive Officer of both Queensland South Representative Body Aboriginal Corporation and Queensland South Native Title Services. She has also managed the WA Native Title Unit for ATSIC. She has accepted Adjunct Professor appointments at Griffith University and University of the Sunshine Coast. She has opposition from some island residents who say she is not conciliatory.
Karen Williams: Redland mayor
Probably one of the biggest powerbrokers in Redland is mayor Karen Williams, who grew up on a flower farm at Capalaba and met her husband Peter, an ex-cop, at high school in the then shire. Cr Williams, 55, has been a politician since 2004 when she was elected to represent her division of Capalaba. She was voted in as mayor in April 2012 with a 19 per cent margin and again in 2016 and 2020.
Cr Williams played a major role broking a controversial $1 billion deal with Lang Walker’s Walker Corporation to overhaul Toondah Harbour, the Stradbroke Island mainland ferry and barge terminal. She also played a huge role in winning Redland the bid to host the Olympic canoe slalom event, which will entail building a world-class white water rafting facility at Birkdale. She won her first election as mayor on a platform of “no tip fees” and promising more housing developments in the city’s south. She has strong contacts with business through the Redland Chamber of Commerce and was once thought to be Scott Morrison’s pick to replace Bowman MP Andrew Laming. Outside of work, Cr Williams is a yodeller and country and western singer. She has performed the national anthem with her daughters at civic major ceremonies. After buying the Mt Cotton home of state MP John Goleby and wife Betty, Cr Williams and her family set about creating a world-class wedding venue which overlooks Moreton Bay to the Gold Coast. The animal lover also breeds alpacas, and special bantams. However, her popularity has waned as farming land was surrendered to developers for small-lot estates across the city.
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