The most powerful people on Sydney’s north shore
From high-profile politicians and business leaders to sports stars and top chefs, these are 2021’s most powerful people on Sydney’s North Shore. SEE THE FULL LIST HERE:
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They are experts in their fields ranging from sport to entertainment, to politics and law.
The north shore continues to be home to some of Sydney’s most powerful and influential people whose influences extend across a variety of industries.
We take a look at some of the biggest movers and shakers who call the north shore home.
GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian ranks at the top of our list as the leader of Australia’s biggest state economy. Since winning the state Willoughby electorate 15 years ago, Ms Berejiklian has worked her way up the ranks, rising to the key portfolios of industrial relations, transport and treasury before ascending to the top job following Mike Baird’s resignation in 2017. The Northbridge resident has been widely praised for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic through measures that have minimised the harm to the community while also still allowing the state’s residents to largely carry on with their lives. She calls the north shore a “wonderful place” to live and work and previously told the North Shore Times that: “community spirit can make such a positive difference to the quality of life for locals.”
PAUL FLETCHER
There’s something in the water when it comes to the north shore and successful politicians and Paul Fletcher is certainly not immune. Frequently making headlines, Mr Fletcher is the Federal Minister for communications, cybersecurity and the arts and has played a key role in the government’s tough stance on social media giants including Facebook. Over the last 12 months he has also championed new cyber security laws including a “trolling take-down scheme” requiring social media platforms to remove harmful online content. When he’s not in Canberra, you can find Fletcher with his family in his home suburb of Roseville.
NICOLE KIDMAN
The born and bred north shore resident has continued to hold her status as one of the world’s leading film and TV stars. Kidman, who grew up in Longueville and has a home in Milsons Point, has been working in the industry since the 1980s and has an Oscar, a BAFTA and four Golden Globe awards up her sleeve. Kidman has recently been a pioneer of bringing Hollywood productions down under including Nine Perfect Strangers, which filmed in Byron Bay last year. Along with jetting across the world to shoot and promote films, she also finds time to serve as the vice president of the Australian Academy of Cinema Television Arts.
THE HARRIS FAMILY
A; coal success story in Australia’s highly competitive food and grocery sector, Harris Farm Markets has held its own against the behemoths of Coles, Woolworths and Aldi. Founded by north shore resident David Harris in 1971, the family-run company is now under the leadership of family members Catherine Harris as chair and co-chief executives Angus Harris – who lives in Mosman – Luke Harris and Tristan Harris – who lives in Castle Cove. The family considers the north shore to be the “heartland” of the business which now has five fresh food markets in the region and a further 22 across Australia.
CATHERINE FOLEY
Catherine Foley has been a leading figure in Australia’s science and research sector for more than three decades. The St Ives resident was last month appointed to the top position of Chief Scientist of Australia where she will encourage the growth and productivity of Australia’s globally competitive industries. Ms Foley has also served as the chief scientist at CSIRO since 2018 where she led programs such as the development of a Quantum Technology Roadmap for Australia.
ELLYSE PERRY
The north shore’s very own Ellyse Perry is a dual cricket and football star who has become a role model for up-and-comers in the sporting world. The former Pymble Ladies’ College student who continues to live in the region is widely considered to be one of Australia’s greatest female players and holds a string of cricket records including the first player to amass a combined 1000 runs and 100 wickets in T20Is. Perry, who also holds the record for the highest score by an Australian woman in test matches, continues to be a leading advocate for encouraging more female presence in Australian sport.
KARL STEFANOVIC
Love him or loathe him, there’s no denying the influence of one of the best-known faces on Australian television. As the co-host of Channel 9’s Today Show, Karl Stefanovic has access to a wide range of influencers, from prime ministers to movie stars. The born and bred Queenslander Stefanovic is now one of the many media personalities living in Mosman.
GAI WATERHOUSE
Known as the first lady of Australian racing, Gai Waterhouse has decades of experience as a trainer and has earned countless accolades along the way including becoming the first female trainer to win the Melbourne Cup. The Mosman resident and role model for young women in the industry also owns the Tulloch Lodge Headquarters at Sydney’s Randwick racetrack.
THE MAYORS
The five mayors of the north shore have considerable clout as the elected heads of councils serving the region’s 330,000-plus residents. The mayors – Jennifer Anderson (Ku-ring-gai), Gail Giles-Gidney (Willoughby), Jilly Gibson (North Sydney), Pam Palmer (Lane Cove) and Carolyn Corrigan (Mosman) – each have busy schedules including meeting with residents on key local issues and keeping monthly council meetings in check. They also played a key role in successfully challenging the State Government against the forced amalgamations of councils in 2017.
PATRICIA FORSYTHE
A political and business heavyweight, Patricia Forsythe has been in the public eye for more than four decades. The St Ives resident most notably served as the executive director of the Sydney Business Chamber in a role that saw her represent Sydney’s largest corporations from 2006 to 2019. Ms Forsythe, who began her career as a teacher and has also served as a member of the NSW Legislative Council, is now the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand.
WENDY WHITELEY
The former wife of the late, great Australian artist Brett Whiteley has achieved fame and affection in her own right for her long battle to transform a state-owned railway dumping ground into a popular green space known simply as “Wendy’s Secret Garden”. Wendy Whiteley work at the Lavender Bay garden has seen it grow into one of Sydney’s most popular tourist attractions, and also guaranteed perpetuity of the site via a 30-year government lease in 2015. Ms Whiteley is also heavily involved in protecting and maintaining Brett Whiteley’s legacy.
JULIA LONERGAN
Julia Lonergan has presided over some of the state’s legal cases as a sitting judge on the NSW Supreme Court. Ms Lonergan, who lives in Gordon and attended Loreto Kirribilli school, has an extensive legal career and has won praise for her “significant role” as a senior counsel assisting the Special Commission of Inquiry into the police investigation of child sexual abuse allegations in the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. Ms Lonergan has served as a NW Supreme Court judge since 2017.
NEIL BALNAVES
A mover and shaker in the media industry for more than 45 years, Neil Balnaves was the founder and executive chairman of the Southern Star Group where he was responsible for local TV hits including as Water Rats and Big Brother and chaired Ardent Leisure Group – one of Australia’s most successful leisure and entertainment companies. The Mosman resident continues to make his mark on the industry through his work at his charity – the Balnaves Foundation – which has given more than $20 million to organisations including Kirribilli’s Ensemble Theatre and the Mosman Art Gallery.
WENDY CARVER
St Ives resident Wendy Carver has been at the forefront of community mental health for more than 30 years through her work at Lifeline. Joining the charity in 1988 as a volunteer telephone crisis supporter, Ms Carver is now the chief executive of Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury – one of the largest Lifeline centres in the national network. In her tenure, she has overseen the organisation’s growth in providing more tailored services with the aim of helping to save more lives.
JOHN HOWARD
He may no longer be in high office, but former Prime Minister John Howard is still considered by many as the Liberal Party’s most substantial and influential figures. In the 14 years since his election loss to Kevin Rudd, Mr Howard has kept busy as a respected figure on an international talk circuit populated by some of the world’s leading ex-politicians and has written books including an autobiography and The Menzies Era. He is also a familiar sight for locals on the north shore during his daily morning walks from his Wollstonecraft home.
ADAM LIAW
After rising to prominence as the winner of the second series of MasterChef Australia, Adam Liaw has become a familiar face on TV screens sharing his repertoire of Asian recipes. The Chatswood chef is the host of SBS series Destination Flavour and is also a national ambassador for nutrition. He also finds time to support the north shore’s food scene by serving as the Chatswood culinary ambassador for events including Luna New Year celebrations and Vivid Chatswood.
DEBORAH WILCOX
Overseeing a health district that takes in some of the state’s largest hospitals, Deborah Willcox plays a key role in the delivery of healthcare across the north shore. Over the last 12 months, Ms Willcox – who is the chief executive of the Northern Sydney Local Health District – played a vital role in the north shore’s response to COVID-19 including establishing dedicated COVID-19 treatment wards at Royal North Shore Hospital. Before taking the reins at the health district, Ms Willcox served as the director of operations of the Sydney Local Health District, and as the general manager of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
CLYDE CAMPBELL
Clyde Campbell is a leading figure in supporting funding for Parkinson’s disease research and cures in Australia. The Mosman resident is the founder of the Shake It Up Australia Foundation – a non-profit which partnered with the Michael J. Fox Foundation to raise vital funds and public awareness into research. Over the last two decades, Mr Campbell has grown the charity into the largest non-government financial supporter of Parkinson’s disease research in Australia.
LIBBY CHRISTIE
Cremorne residents Libby Christie play a lead role in advocating for ballet in Australia. Ms Christie has served as the executive director of The Australia Ballet since 2013 - the largest classical ballet company in the country. Ms Christie has also helped the keep the organisation afloat during a rough 2020 and recently announced the a return to performances with the organisation’s 2021 program.
LUKE SIMMONS
Luke Simmons is at the helm of one of the largest collections of RSL clubs in Sydney. As the chief executive of Norths Collective, Mr Simmons has played a key role in ensuring the organisation stayed afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic that brought with it temporary closures and restrictions on venues. Clubs within the Norths Collective include Norths Cammeray, The Greens North Sydney, The Alcott Lane Cove and Seagulls Tweed Heads.
KIM MCKAY
As director and chief executive of the Australian Museum, Kim McKay plays a key role in the strategic planning and management of the tourist drawcard that boasts a collection of more than 21.9 million natural science and cultural items. The Mosman resident was the first woman to be appointed the role of chief executive in 2014 and has gone on to oversee a major transformation of the museum including the launch of Project Discover in 2020. She has also established the Australian Museum Centre for Citizen science and enshrined free general admission for children.
MICHELLE KEY
Michelle Key is a leading figure in providing charity and support for residents in need of a helping hand on the north shore. Ms Key is the founder of NorthShoreMums Smiles2U which offers care bags, activity packs, cancer car packs and toiletry packs to the parents of children in local hospitals. Over the last 12 months, Ms Key has also played a key role in Wheels For Ryan which managed to raise more than $75,000 to help a local family purchase a vehicle suitable for their disabled child. Ms Key has also found time to coordinate community responses for Share the Dignity bags for homeless women in the region and toiletry packs for female RFS volunteers during the 2019/20 summer bushfires.
CHRISTINE MORGAN
Christine Morgan plays a nation-leading role in provoding suicide prevention services for across Australia. The Lane Cove is the chief executive of the National Mental Health Commission and was last year appointed as Australia’s National Suicide Prevention Advisor. Ms Morgan has also led an advocacy strategy to raise awarness of eating disorders as which resulted in the Federal Government pledging $110 million in policy reforms.
TRENT ZIMMERMAN
Another north shore political heavyweight, Trent Zimmerman has represented the Federal electorate of North Sydney since 2015. During his time in Canberra, Mr Zimmerman has served in portfolios including environment and heritage. He is also one of eight openly LGBTI current members of the parliament of Australia and was a key supporter of the Yes campaign during the gay marriage plebiscite.
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