Tasmania’s most powerful people: 70-61

TODAY the Mercury begins a countdown of Tasmania’s most powerful people.

The countdown of the 70 most powerful movers and shakers in the state begins. Today we feature numbers 70 to 61.

TODAY the Mercury begins a countdown of Tasmania’s most powerful people. This a list compiled by Mercury staff on the movers and shakers in the state across sectors including politics, business, the union movement, charity organisations, emergency services, sport, the arts, science and tourism.

Ruth Forrest .

Meg Webb.

70)Ruth Forrest: The Member of the Legislative Council for Murchison made headlines this year after accusing Police Minister Rene Hidding of bullying but is also well-regarded for her work in the Upper House where she is never under-prepared regardless of the legislation in front of her.

69) Meg Webb: As spokeswoman for Community Voice on Pokies Reform, she is representing an alliance of 42 not-for-profit organisations, peak bodies and local councils raising concerns of the Tasmanian community about poker machines.

Jane Hutchinson.

Tony Collidge.

68)Jane Hutchinson: The conservationist, and 2015 Tasmanian of the Year, was one of a handful of volunteers who grew the Tasmanian Land Conservancy in 2001 from a $50 bank account to a $30 million organisation which protects more than 2 per cent of Tasmania’s private land.

67)Tony Collidge: The President of theReal Estate Institute of Tasmania is acutely aware of the trends and forecasts of an industry that is responsible for the most important assets most Tasmanians own.

Susan Fahey.

David Bartlett.

66) Susan Fahey: The former barrister and solicitor in 1999, has made an enormous impact since being named CEO of the Women’s Legal Service Tasmania, improving services and support for Tasmanian women and their families and winning national recognition in the process.

65)David Bartlett: The former premier has kept himself busy in retirement from political life as a keynote speaker, chairman and director of growing IT companies, director of the Brave Foundation and president of the Hobart Chargers basketball side.

Nick Gales.

Bob Brown.

64) Nick Gales: The well-respected director of the Australian Antarctic Division is the man leading the strategy to develop our links with and presence in the region, something seen as crucial to the development of the state’s brand, not to mention the economic and research potential.

63) Bob Brown: The former Greens leader is still, to many, the spiritual leader of the party and remains an influential, important and significant voice for the state’s environment movement.

Bernadette Black.

George Bailey.

62)Bernadette Black: The former teenage mother became the CEO and founder of Brave Foundation to reduce stigma and provide support for anyone facing teen pregnancy and parenthood. Her work has led to her being named the 2016 Telstra Tasmanian Business Woman of the Year Award.

61) George Bailey: The Tigers captain is not only an outstanding one-day international and first class cricketer, but a respected authority on and figurehead for the game in Tasmania.

Tomorrow the countdown continues: 60-51

Originally published as Tasmania’s most powerful people: 70-61