Revealed: The 20 most powerful people in southeast Sydney
From sportspeople to politicians and models: Sydney’s southeast is packed with influential people. Here’s our top 20 most powerful for 2021.
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These are the movers and shakers, the players and powerbrokers who are shaping southeast Sydney from La Perouse to Coogee and from Eastgardens to Mascot.
Our panel has gone through the leaders and the influences of southeast Sydney to bring you the list of the top 20 most powerful.
HUGH BOWMAN
Hugh Bowman is a name synonymous with horse racing in Australia.
The Coogee local was the jockey for legendary mare Winx from 2014 through to her retirement in 2019 – during which time the champion horse won 33 consecutive races including 25 Group 1 races.
Many of their titles were won at Royal Randwick Racecourse.
Bowman is a king within the sport and undoubtedly one of the most powerful people in southeast Sydney.
GUY SEBASTIAN
The Maroubra resident has enjoyed a successful career since winning the first Australian Idol series in 2003, with a string of hits and awards to his name during the past two decades.
He has also become a well-known television personality and is currently a fan favourite on television show The Voice largely due to his warm personality as a judge.
PROF MICHELLE SIMMONS
Named the Australian of the Year in 2018, Simmons is at the forefront of scientific discovery through her research in quantum physics.
She is a professor at UNSW and a role model for many young scientists and researchers.
MARIKA CALFAS
Calfas is the chief executive of NSW Ports, which oversees the bustling Port Botany.
Port Botany is a huge employer in southeast Sydney and is the biggest container port in NSW.
Calfas has over 18 years of experience in the port sector and also sits on a number of national councils.
JUSTIN HEMMES
He’s the head of a bustling pub empire across Sydney which includes the iconic and hugely popular Coogee Pavilion – which has become the place to be seen in the eastern suburbs.
His company Merivale, founded by his parents, now boasts over 70 brands and venues which also includes the Tennyson Hotel in Mascot.
HARMONY BUTCHER
Harmony Butcher (nee A’Bell), from Maroubra, is making waves as a model and has impressed in campaigns with huge swimwear brand Seafolly.
She boasts 40,000 followers on her Instagram page and recently married Sydney Roosters player Nat Butcher.
ANDREW HOLLAND
Botany Bay and Redfern police were merged in 2019 to form South Sydney Police Area Command.
Superintendent Andrew Holland has been in charge of the new command since, with a larger team at his disposal.
He oversees the fight against crime in suburbs such as Eastlakes, Botany, Mascot and Pagewood.
DR KARL KRUSZELNICKI
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki is one of Australia’s best known scientists and perhaps the most loved.
For decades the Maroubra resident has featured on television and radio stations explaining the complexities of science topics to the average Joe. He has also written a long list of books and remains highly influential.
JOHN SUTTON
John Sutton captained the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs to their first NRL title in over 40 years in 2014, and has enjoyed something of a legendary status since.
He is also the most capped player to play for the Rabbitohs.
He is often spotted around Maroubra and continues to be heavily involved with Souths.
MICHAEL DALEY MP
After serving as a councillor for Randwick Council, Michael Daley was elected as the state MP for Maroubra in 2005.
The Labor politician has represented the electorate since and briefly became the leader of the NSW Labor Party in the lead-up to the 2019 election, an election eventually won by Gladys Berejiklian and the NSW Liberal Party.
Daley, from Chifley, is a strong voice for the community in Maroubra and surrounding suburbs, and is passionate about fighting overdevelopment in the area.
WAYNE BENNETT
One of the best coaches rugby league has ever produced, Wayne Bennett carries around an experience and respect seldom seen in the NRL.
He is entering his third season in charge of the Rabbitohs as head coach and has the hopes of fans on his shoulders in 2021.
HARRY TRIGUBOFF
The billionaire owner of development company Meriton has undoubtedly left his mark on southeast Sydney.
Meriton apartments are commonplace in Mascot and the company’s biggest ever project, Pagewood Green, is currently being erected next to Westfield Eastgardens, which will feature thousands of apartments when complete.
Triguboff also has controversial plans to build high-rise apartment buildings in the relatively undeveloped suburb of Little Bay.
AMANDA KELLER
Keller is a longstanding resident of Coogee and a much-loved radio presenter, known for her morning show with Brendan Jones on WSFM.
She also features on numerous television shows including Dancing With The Stars, The Living Room and Have You Been Paying Attention?
DAVID WARNER
The master blaster, who owns a home in Maroubra, has experienced his fair share of highs and lows after a decade playing cricket for Australia.
He is born and raised in the area and went Randwick Boys High before becoming a professional cricketer.
He has become a household name across any country which follows the sport and the World Cup winner continues to warrant selection at the top of the batting order for Australia, in both test and limited-over cricket.
GEOFF CULBERT
Culbert is in charge of the country’s busiest airport as chief executive of Sydney Airport.
He’s has been leading the airport through a challenging past 12 months, which has seen the travel sector rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Culbert has his hands full again this year as the Mascot-based airport looks to recover as best it can.
ALAN JOYCE
Joyce is the chief executive of Qantas, the largest airline in Australia and a huge employer in southeast Sydney.
He has led the company – which has its headquarters in Mascot – during the COVID-19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc on the travel industry.
Joyce remains highly influential in the region and is tasked with guiding the iconic company through the pandemic.
RON HOENIG MP
After serving as mayor for a record 31 years at the now defunct City of Botany Bay Council, Hoenig was elected as the state MP for the Heffron electorate in 2012.
The Labor politician and former lawyer has represented the electorate since. He continues to advocate for residents in the former City of Botany Bay area.
RICHIE VACULIK
A former world-renowned big wave surfer and UFC fighter, Vaculik is a well-known member of the southeast Sydney community.
He is involved in local community groups, such as the Protect Our 1 organisation which goes from beach to beach cleaning up rubbish, and is connected with surf gang the Bra Boys.
MATT THISTLETHWAITE
Thistlethwaite has served as the federal member for the Kingsford Smith electorate since 2013.
The Labor politician is an advocate for southeast Sydney and often spotted getting involved in community events as an approachable MP. He is a keen beach goer, family man and continues to fight hard against overdevelopment.
ROHAN CRAMSIE
Law enforcer Superintendent Rohan Cramsie is in charge of the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command which includes prominent suburbs such as Coogee, Maroubra, and Randwick.
He has adapted well to the challenges brought about with COVID, including enforcing safety restrictions at popular beaches while juggling the day-to-day demands of keeping the community safe.
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