Who’s the most influential young gun in Redlands? Vote Now
Which young gun under 25 years of age is having the biggest influence in Redlands? SEE THE LIST AND VOTE
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From knockout punchers to selfless community champions – meet the young powerhouses of Redland Bay.
With a drive for success and a mind for business, these Redlands young guns are making their mark on the region and beyond.
The Courier-Mail has found 22 talented community members 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.
See the list in alphabetical order then vote below >>>
MICHAEL AUTON, 20
Michael may only be 20 but he is doing amazing things in his real estate career.
In his short but successful career, Michael has already sold 24 properties and amazed his clients with his industry knowledge and energy.
Michael has created many advocates and has a five star rating on realestate.com.au.
The 20-year-old’s highest recorded sale price according to Domain was $1.1m for 31 Richland Drive, Bannockburn.
MINA BRAILOV, 16
Mina is an aspiring performer that is involved in many acting and musical theatre production groups.
Recently during the Easter Holidays, Mina Brailov was cast as Ms Mayor in Seussical by Stage School Australia. Seussical is all about the different stories by Dr Seuss, looking into the world of Who Vile, The Jungle of Nool and so many more colourful and wonderful worlds.
Mina is also performing as Kim, a cheerleader, in her Wellington Point SHS school musical ‘Back to the 80’s’ in late August.
ERIN CARDY, 23
For Erin Cardy, becoming a nurse was far from easy with late-night study sessions, tough assessments, and moments of self-doubt nearly had her swapping scrubs for a coffee shop.
She recently completed her Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) with TAFE Queensland.
Building on her earlier studies through TAFE at Schools, Erin developed advanced clinical skills, from administering medications to supporting patients with complex needs.
Now an Enrolled Nurse, Erin is proud to step into a profession where compassion makes a difference.
>>> SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO VOTE IN THE POLL >>>
MATTHEW DE CASTRO, 18
Matthew is one of the 2025 School Captains of Victoria Point State High School.
Matthew is a member of the yourTown Youth Network, Youth Advisory Council and Your Voice Sub-Committee, contributing to national-level youth engagement projects by helping analyse survey data, shape events, and co-develop youth-led recommendations.
As Youth Director and founding Chair of the Redlands Youth Project, Matthew has worked closely with leaders like Rebecca Young MP to create structures that amplify youth voices in the community.
Matthew has founded The Open Pages Project, a nonprofit book drive dedicated to redistributing books to schools, organizations, and individuals in need.
He has been involved in advocating for environmental initiatives, such as the Redlands Green Waste Reform, and continue to engage actively through collaboration with the Redlands Coast Chamber of Commerce.
Matthew is working towards a Certificate IV in Justice Studies, a Diploma of Business and completed certifications in Media and Creative Industries.
KAI DENNIS, 21
Kai began his butchers apprenticeship in 2023 and soon moved onto work at La Carne Butchery at Manly West.
Soon after the 21-year-old entered a national competition with other apprentices.
In this competition, the butchers were given half beasts to cut, bone and slice into products that you would put into a butcher’s window.
They were judged on cleanliness of their work area, neatness of the cuts, creativity, safety and presentation of the meat.
Kai was a joint-winner which qualified him for the Australian Butcher Team.
This team competed in the World Butchers Challenge in Paris this year and competed in the apprentice section against other apprentices from around the world.
The competition was very close and Kai was placed seventh overall.
HEIDI DENNIS, 20
During high school, Heidi was selected regularly in in state and regional teams in five different sports.
Soccer turned out to be her favourite and she was selected for Brisbane Roar squad and the Young Matildas before finishing high school.
But there was one sport she hadn’t tried yet.
There was an opportunity at her high school to start a girls rugby 7s team.
Heidi loved it from the first training session.
She was then encouraged to trial for the local representative team and not only was selected for the tournament but was sighted by the Reds 7s and Aussie 7s scouts.
Heidi fast tracked through the system and at the age of 18, debuted for the Australian womens 7s team on the World Series circuit in 2024.
Heidi had a few injuries during that season which saw her narrowly miss the Olympic cut, but has since returned to playing and earned the player of the final in the Perth leg of the World Series this year.
>>> SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO VOTE IN THE POLL >>>
JAYDEN DINGA, 20
Jayden has been playing snooker since he was 6 and has won 21 state titles, 11 national titles and eight international events.
The 20-year-old is currently studying a Bachelor of Business and Sport Development at Griffith University, whilst also working at the Redlands RSL.
His internationals titles include; U21 Asia Pacific Runner Up 2024, WSF U18 Worlds Last 16 2024, WSF U18 Worlds Last 16 and U18 World Blackball Doubles Silver Medalist 2022.
Jayden’s national titles include; U21 Australian Snooker Champion 2025, U21 Australian Billiards Champion 2024 & 2025, U23 Australian Blackball Runner Up 2023,
U18 Australian Snooker Champion 2023, U18 Australian Billiards Champion 2023, U15 Australian 8 Ball Champion 2020 and U12 Australian Snooker Champion 2014 (9 years old), 2016, 2017).
In 2017, Jayden, appeared on Little Big Shots Australia on Channel 7 and then flew to Ho Chi Minh City, to be on Little Big Shots Vietnam.
Jayden has performed trick shots live on air several times over his career.
ALEX DUNCALFE, 17
Alex has already made a significant mark in both baseball and softball, showcasing his extraordinary talent and dedication.
In January 2024, Alex flew to Melbourne for the Australian U16 Softball Nationals where his team won the tournament and he swept three of the four individual awards.
Immediately after, Alex drove to Sydney to compete in the U16 Baseball Australian Youth Championship (AYCs), where he secured the silver medal and a spot on the Australian U16 Baseball squad.
Alex travelled to Atlanta in August of 2024 with the U16 Australian baseball team to compete against top-tier American teams.
His return to Australia was marked by further success, including a gold medal at the U18 Queensland Softball State Titles.
The 17-year-old plays locally in Wynnum Softball for his beloved Te Arohanui (TAN) softball club.
In May, Alex will travel to Sydney for the Schoolboys Softball National.
As a grade 12 student at Wellington Point State High School, this will be the last time Alex plays in this competition, after being selected in the Australian School Sport Merit Team on the last three occasions.
ROSE HARBORNE, 15
In 2024, Rose came across an organization known as Share the Dignity which helps women across Australia who are experiencing period poverty and domestic violence.
Rose was so inspired by this and wanted to make a difference, so as VIBE approached (a carnival/fete event held at Wellington Point SHS) she worked closely with a teacher to create a stall.
Rose advertised for weeks and received many donations which will be able to help so many women and girls!
With her granny, she also created a bag which included period products, hair toiletries, body wash and more and donated it to Share the Dignity.
Share the Dignity gave it to a woman in a domestic violence shelter at Christmas time to help her when she was struggling.
In 2025 she is hoping to make it bigger and better raise more awareness about period poverty, which affects one in five girls in Australia.
>>> SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO VOTE IN THE POLL >>>
THEO HORVATIC, 9
At just nine years old, Theo Horvatic has been named the Redlands Coast Young Citizen of the Year 2025 at the Australia Day Awards, recognised for his extraordinary commitment to supporting vulnerable children and foster families.
Theo has raised over $2,600 for Anglicare Southern Queensland over the past two years.
Theo’s dedication has seen him overcome personal challenges, including grief and a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
His initiatives include partnering with local businesses to raise funds, creating and distributing campaign posters, baking and gifting over 100 cookies as tokens of appreciation, and inspiring friends, family, and neighbours to contribute.
His efforts have earned praise from local leaders and community organisations, and he continues to lead by example, proving that even the youngest voices can drive meaningful change.
GENE KEREMETE, 23
Gene has been an amateur boxer for four years and amassed a 36-12 record with Neon Boxing Academy.
At the the World Championship Selection Qualifiers in May, Gene went undefeated and earned his place on the Australian Team for the 2025 World Boxing Championships.
He won the Queensland State Titles last year, affording Gene the opportunity to represent the state the Nationals in 2024.
Gene fights in the light welterweight division.
The 23-year-old came away with a silver medal and went on to represent Australia in Germany.
Gene has again made the Queensland team this year.
Gene studies Nutrition and Dietetics at QUT with the goal of becoming a sports dietitian for the next generations of athletes.
The 23-year-old also dabbles as a personal trainer and coach.
KIPA KEREMETE, 24
A light middleweight member of Neon Boxing Academy, Kipa started boxing at 16 and has since won multiple National Golden Gloves tournaments, QLD Titles, and silver and gold medals at Nationals.
The 24-year-old made it to the semi-finals World Championship Selection Qualifiers in May.
Kipa’s goal in 2025 is to become the number one amateur boxer in the world at the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, England this September.
Outside of boxing, Kipa works as a personal trainer and studies Sports and Exercise Science full time at QUT.
TOBIAS KENNETT, 23
Tobias is the youngest member on the board of Scouts Queensland, and has been part of the upper leadership team for numerous state and national events since he was 16.
Tobias also volunteers with the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament.(QYP)
Several of QYP proposals have influenced real policy reform in Queensland.
As a favour to his best friend, who uses an electric wheelchair, Tobias is also the Treasurer of a charity that runs electric wheelchair soccer programs.
In recognition of his efforts, Tobias was named the Queensland Youth Volunteer of the Year in 2024.
Tobias gradated last year with a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours).
He hopes to be admitted to the legal profession in July, and is currently the Associate to a Judge of the District Court.
>>> SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO VOTE IN THE POLL >>>
MITCHELL LOUIE, 17
Wynnum State High School’s Mitchell Louie impressed in the velodrome at the 2025 Queensland State Track Championships.
Mitchell claimed gold in the Sprint and silver in the Time Trial, along with a Keirin victory that crowned him JM19 State Champion.
His success continued at the 2025 Oceania Track Championships, where he became the JM19 Oceania Keirin Champion and donned the prestigious Oceania jersey. Representing Australia A, Mitchell also secured silver in the Team Sprint and reached the finals in both the Sprint (4th) and Time Trial (6th).
In March, Mitchell competed at the 2025 AusCycling Track National Championships in Brisbane, becoming a three-time national champion in the JM19 category by winning gold in the Sprint, Keirin, and Team Sprint.
He also achieved 5th place in the Time Trial final.
Most recently, Mitchell was selected to represent Australia at the 2025 UCI Junior Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, this August.
MEGAN LOUW, 14
Megan tries the best at what she does, and it gets her places – such as a position in the Ministerial Student Advisory Council.
Megan was invited to join a meeting at education house and states that “it was a true honour to represent my school and contribute to strategies of discouraging bullying in our schools and workplaces.
Megan is the head of year in student council at Wellington Point State High School.
The 14-year-old also contributes to her school community by; speaking on year assemblies, participating in chess competitions, performing in the school musical, entering writing competitions, working with Japanese exchange students nd attending the 2025 Anzac Commemoration School Service.
Megan represented her school at QUT, which was a day spent brainstorming the root causes of bullying and implementing plans to tackle them.
NOAH MARGETTS, 18
Noah is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Political Science and International Relations at Griffith University, with a focus on social justice and public policy.
The 18-year-old works as a part-time Electorate Officer in the office of a Federal Member of Parliament and at Coles.
In 2025, Noah was elected as the Youth Member for Oodgeroo and appointed the Youth Minister for Justice, Police and Corrective Services, Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence (Sponsoring) in the Queensland Youth Parliament.
In this role, he collaborates with fellow Members of Parliament, and key stakeholders to draft youth-focused legislation—most recently centred on child protection—and to advocate for a safer, fairer Queensland.
He is a current volunteer with the Vanuatu Library Project, an initiative that builds libraries in schools lacking access to essential educational resources.
In 2024, he travelled to Efate, Vanuatu, where he helped construct a school library from the ground up.
A talented musician, Noah has participated in the State Honours Ensemble Program, performing with distinction alongside members of the Australian Army Band.
>>> SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO VOTE IN THE POLL >>>
LUKE MORRISON, 21
Luke is a middleweight fighter at the Neon Boxing Academy who has been competing as an amateur boxer for the last five years, with a 43-11 record.
He is the current Queensland Champion and made it to the semi-finals of the World Championship Selection Qualifiers in May.
The 21-year-old has previously represented Australia when selected to compete internationally in Germany last year.
Luke says being part of the Neon team has taught him discipline and how to push his limits in a supporting environment.
Outside of the ring, Luke is doing a carpentry apprenticeship.
MARGARET OBOLENSKI, 18
Margaret is a second-year Law/Commerce student at the University of Queensland, majoring in Finance.
She represented Capalaba as part of the Redlands area in the 29th Queensland Youth Parliament, serving as the Manager of Opposition Business and sitting on the Justice, Police, Community Safety and Corrective Services Committee.
She helped draft and successfully pass a Youth Bill restricting the use of deepfakes in sexual misconduct and electoral settings, following extensive consultation with MPs, the Electoral Commission Queensland, and community stakeholders.
She has now returned as an Executive Member for the 30th QYP, as an Operations Support Officer, assisting with the logistics and admin of the program.
Outside of QYP, she works at Women’s Legal Service, assisting women and families affected by domestic violence in a trauma-informed environment.
LACHLAN STEAINS, 23
Lachlan graduated from QUT in 2024 with a double degree in a Bachelor of Property Economics and a Bachelor of Business
During his studies, Lachlan undertook a valuable internship in 2022 with PRD Realty, where he gained hands-on experience in data analytics—an opportunity that helped solidify his passion for the property industry.
In 2024, Lachlan officially began his professional career in real estate with RE/MAX Bayside.
Starting in a field support role within the property management department, he is eager to learn and grow across all aspects of the real estate industry.
Lachlan’s commitment to learning, combined with his strong academic foundation and practical experience, sets him up for a bright future in real estate.
>>> SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO VOTE IN THE POLL >>>
ALLY TURNER, 22
Ally was a former student of Y Queensland and now works there as a youth worker.
Ally studied for a Certificate IV in Youth Work through a two-year traineeship funded by the Y Schools.
She gained excellent knowledge in trauma-informed practice and the power of connection before correction.
Ally began her professional journey supporting students in Years 10-12, but in a powerful show of courage and self-leadership, she chose to move to the Junior campus to work with Years 7-9.
In 2019, she was awarded The Power of Inspired Young People Award, followed by the Body, Mind and Spirit Award in 2020 – both acknowledgments of her resilience, leadership and passion for making a difference.
With aspirations to become a Senior Youth Worker, Ally embraces every opportunity for growth, learning, and leadership.
LIAM WALDOCK, 21
Redlands-based vocalist Liam Waldock is carving out a name for himself in the world of music, particularly jazz.
Liam is currently studying Classical Voice at the prestigious Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Liam is also mentored by Redlands Citizen of the Year, soprano Mirusia, refining his craft under her expert guidance.
Since graduating from Cleveland District State High School in 2021, Liam has been a familiar face at Redlands community events, performing at local markets, council awards and celebrations across Brisbane, including Halloween Festivals and Christmas events.
Although only 21, Liam’s operatic achievements include roles in three productions with the Conservatorium: House of Peers in Iolanthe (2022), Pluto in Orpheus in the Underworld (2023) and Monostatos in The Magic Flute (2024).
LARA WALKER, 21
Lara has been a member of the Redland Bay Tennis Club for over 16 years.
A true standout, Lara has won multiple national titles, represented Australia in international team competitions, and reached the pinnacle of junior competition, when she contested the 2019 Australian Open Girls’ Singles draw at just 15.
Her journey also saw her achieve a career-high WTA singles ranking of 1065.
Lara brings a wealth of high-performance experience and insight to her coaching role at Bayside Tennis Coached lead up by Head Coach, Tim Low.
She leads the No Limits Girls Squad and has recently taken on coaching responsibilities in the new Ready2Rally program—an initiative aimed at keeping teenage girls engaged in sport through fun, social, and inclusive tennis sessions.
Lara volunteers her time as the leader of the club’s Junior Committee, where she works closely with young members to promote values like respect, sportsmanship, and leadership.
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