Southern Courier’s top 20 influential: Numbers 10 to 6
FROM Clovelly to La Perouse and taking in Randwick, Mascot and Botany, the Southern Courier presents its power list of the area’s 20 most influential people in 2018. From fallen sports stars, to billionaires to TV royalty we assign them their number of influence. Here is number 10 to 6.
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- Influential people Southeast Sydney Part II: Numbers 15 to 11
- Influential people Southeast Sydney Part I: Numbers 20 to 16
WELCOME to day three of the Southern Courier’s list of our area’s 20 most influential people in 2018.
Our region is full of Sydney’s movers and shakers: from business leaders and influential sports stars and actors to politicians and pioneering academics.
Throughout this week we have been counting down the top 20.
On Tuesday we brought you numbers 20 to 16. Yesterday we revealed numbers 15 to 11 and today we bring you numbers 10 to 6.
Don’t forget to check in tomorrow to see our top 5.
We have also been running special video reports on our website each day.
Don’t forget to let us know what you think of our choices. Email editor@southerncourier.com.au
10 Lindsay Shurey, Randwick Mayor
She’s the Greens mayor of one of Sydney’s most powerful councils and has just presided over one of the most controversial budgets in years.
Whatever your political standpoint she is certainly a force to be reckoned with.
She is only the second female mayor in Randwick Council’s 159-year history and she’s not shy in putting forward her agenda.
In recent months she has spoken passionately about sustainability, equality and the environment.
Not every mayor would be able to get a budget through which hits ratepayers with an above inflation rise over three years.
But she has projects she wants to deliver. And it appears she will get her way.
9. Geoff Culbert, Sydney Airport CEO
He’s only just got his feet under the desk (he took over as CEO in January) but Mr Culbert makes No. 9 on our list. Why? Well, the airport employs more than 30,000 people, many of them local.
Last year more than 43 million travelled through the airport and Mr Culbert decides on flight times, flight paths and much more. When talking about his vision for the future he spoke of boosting NSW tourism and placing Sydney — and Australia — firmly on the world stage.
It’s not going to be easy, particularly with the opening of Sydney’s new airport out west.
We perhaps all take for granted just how much the success of the southeast and Sydney as a whole is entwined with the continued success of the airport.
Culbert certainly has the pedigree. Let’s hope he can get the job done.
8. Leanne Zalapa, POW Hospital Foundation CEO
Affectionately known to her friends as Lulu, Leanne Zalapa’s tireless work as the founder and chief executive of the Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation has not gone unnoticed.
The associate professor was named Coogee’s Woman of the Year in 2017.
Since its formation in 2004, the hospital foundation has raised more than $30 million for research, education and health promotion in conjunction with Prince of Wales Hospital.
Lulu started her career as a cardiac nurse, before becoming bed manager at the hospital. She also contributed to diplomatic relations, aiding her late husband’s work as senior trade commissioner to Spain.
Her lifetime of work in community healthcare and nursing was honoured with her appointment as associate professor at UTS.
Never forgetting her roots, Lulu’s motto is “a nurse can do anything”.
7. Professor Michelle Simmons
She may be a Pom but don’t hold that against her. Because Michelle Simmons is somebody we can all be proud of.
The UNSW professor and current Australian of the Year is at the forefront of scientific discovery in this country, notably quantum physics.
Her pioneering team is on the brink of creating a quantum supercomputer which will change the way we live forever. Put simply, the computer she is creating will be able to solve problems we can’t even comprehend at the present.
She is a perfect role model, particularly for young girls thinking about a career in sciences where there is a huge gender divide.
Watch this space because people like Michelle will change the world.
Hand’s off Britain, she’s our now.
6. Marika Calfas, NSW Ports CEO
Marika Calfas is at the helm of one of the key economic drivers not only of Sydney, but Australia. It employs 21,000 people, many of whom are locals, and it will continue to be an economic powerhouse under her steady leadership.
But it isn’t going to be easy. Trade tariffs, environmental concerns and the loss of industrial land around the port will all be keeping her awake at night — not to mention plans for a new cruise terminal in Botany Bay.
Plane sailing it isn’t but with her calm and professional persona she can help lead the port into a bright and sustainable future.
See the rest of our list:
Influential people southeast Sydney Part I: Numbers 20 to 16
Influential people southeast Sydney Part II: Numbers 15 to 11