Bundaberg’s 30 Under 30 go-getters: People’s choice named

After a mammoth two weeks of polling, the top 10 most impressive dynamos under 30 in the Bundaberg region as voted by our readers can be revealed. See who made the cut.

It’s no secret Bundaberg is home to dozens of high-achieving, outstanding young go getters from business to sport and all places in between, making a name for themselves in the region and beyond.

The NewsMail compiled a list of the 30 most impressive rising stars under 30 years of age in our region.

Those 30 names were then compiled into a poll to find out who the top 10 most impressive young professionals were as voted by our readers.

Now that list has been shortened again, after our readers voted to nominate their most influential 30 Under 30 star, and the top 10 have been declared in our People’s Choice list.

Topping the polls with an astounding 26 per cent of votes was Kyle Schneider and his famous alter-ego Karda-Nay, Bundaberg’s premier drag queen.

1. Kyle Schneider

Karda-Nay the drag queen persona of Kyle Schneider was the most popular as voted in our People Choice poll of our 30 Under 30 impressive young residents.

Kyle Schneider said he was totally surprised to be named as Bundaberg’s most influential go-getter.

“There’s so many influential people in the region doing some amazing things, and I just have to say we are so lucky as a region to have such amazing people who want to get out there and do something,” he said.

Mr Schneider said he has been blown away by the positive response from people across the region, and he has felt very welcomed as Karda-Nay.

“I’m so proud to be from Bundaberg and am having an absolute ball and hope to see more people coming to the drag events and supporting local artists,” he said.

A a lifelong performer, Mr Schneider said it was his love for the art of drag and the mystery that comes with it that brought Karda-nay into the light, and now he is selling out events as a bright, funny and bold personality.

“It’s not always about the numbers and sold-out shows,” he said.

“It’s about knowing people are having the best time with you, it’s about how they feel.”

2. Ky Woods

Ky Woods wants to continue with his Surf Life Saving career.

Young Ky Woods came in a very close second after taking home 22 per cent of the votes in the poll.

As a three time Australian Surf Life Saving Champion Lifesaver he has been patrolling the regions beaches for several years.

Mr Woods is also a patrol captain where he leads lifeguards on patrol and is often the first port of call in an emergency.

3. Lily Thatcher

Lily Thatcher will play in England in 2023.

Lily Thatcher has already made a name for herself in representative soccer with a history of playing for Bundaberg and the Wide Bay at a state level.

Now she is preparing for her first international soccer experience after being selected to play in England as part of the West Ham Academy Tour next year.

4. Maddison Devine

Maddison Devine owner of Jelly Bean Jane and Co.

As the owner of thriving jewellery business Jelly Bean Jane and Co, Maddison Devine is a recognisable face to many.

The business offers monthly launches which keep Miss Devine busy, as well as seasonal pieces and the start of a new business Clay and Play parties for children and adult functions and workshops.

5. Chern’ee Sutton

Chern'ee Sutton has designed jerseys for the AFL and NRL.

Arguably one of the regions biggest names in the artistic world, Chern’ee Sutton is a contemporary Aboriginal artist and proud Kalkadoon woman.

Her works have been featured across the globe on football jerseys, Commonwealth Games promotional material and in Parliament House.

6. Coco Suosaari

Coco Suosaari is a talented Bundaberg dancer.

Coco Suosaari began dancing at just two years of age and has already gone on to win national and international dancing championships.

Her success has given her the opportunity to travel to New Zealand and take part in the Kairos Dance Convention with some of the best choreographers in the industry.

7. Lani Plath

Lani Plath is one of Bundabergs best dancers.

Lani Plath is the second dancer to crack the top ten and with her impressive dance career it is no mystery why.

She has danced Brisbane City Youth Ballet, RB Corp Instructions production of The Hive and has been awarded Most Promising Classical Dancer at the Bundaberg Festival of Dance Eisteddfod in 2021.

8. Angeline Lowther

Angeline Lowther is committed to investigative journalism.

After joining the NewsMail team in November of last year she has been channelling her passion into telling the stories that matter and exposing the issues that affect the region.

She has recently taken a new position to move across as the sole Bundaberg-based radio journalist for Southern Cross Austereo and will cover much of the state with her quality journalism.

9. Ariah Goodluck

Ariah Goodluck knows education equals safety.

As one of Ergon Energy fault response crew electricians Ariah Goodluck is also keeping her workplace safe through her tireless work with her union.

She has won multiple awards through her work with the Electrical Trades Union including National Electrical Apprentice of the year and the Anna Stewart Memorial Award.

10. Chloe Johnson

Chloe Johnson owner of Willow and Hide

Chloe Johnson keeps herself busy as the woman behind Childers business Willow and Hide, president of the Isis Show Society and facilitator for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program.

Her handmade clutch business takes her across the country as she offers workshops for rural women and gives them the opportunity to make their own clutches.

Originally published as Bundaberg’s 30 Under 30 go-getters: People’s choice named