From tech to creative arts: Meet the next generation of Far North leaders
From film makers and photographers to cybersecurity experts and aero engineers, meet some of the inspiring young talent taking the Far North into the future. Read their inspiring stories here.
From the stage to the skies, young people across the Far North are making names for themselves across various industries, from the arts to cybersecurity, technology and engineering.
We sat down with some innovative, creative young leaders taking the Far North by storm.
If you or someone you know is a young entrepreneur, industry pioneer or leader, nominate them for a chance to make our 35 Under 35 list, email catherine.duffy@news.com.au.
DAVID MASHENGO, 19 – FOUNDER OF DIRECTOR DAVID STUDIOS
From filming videos on his mothers phone to starting his own film and photography business, Cairns teenager David Meshengo is reaching for the stars.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the 19-year-old founder of Director David Studios found refuge in Malawi, before arriving in Australia in 2019.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to do what I love back home, so I asked myself when I came to Australia, what can I do to make my dream come true?” Mr Mashengo said.
After connecting with the African community in Cairns, Mr Mashengo saw an opportunity to get involved in events by providing photography and film services.
“I was into video production from a young age, using my mothers phone to capture stuff,” he said.
“Then we came to Australia (Cairns) I saw the African community doing parties and events, I asked myself, what if I could become a videographer so whenever these events come up I can capture the moment?”
Now, Mr Mashengo offers services for weddings, community events and music videos.
“My brother is a musician and I was like, what about if he wants to do a music video? I don’t want him going to pay other people when I know I have the skills to do the video production,” he said.
“So I did my best to invest in a camera and start shooting his music videos, trying to improve my skills.”
When asked where he wants to be in five years, Mr Mashengo said he wanted to open his own studio space.
“Maybe in a few years I will have my own studios in Cairns, so whenever someone needs (film) production, they’ll go check out this company,” he said.
ALICE BOUSANQUET, 23 - ASSOCIATE LAWYER
After an avoidance for disssection turned her away from a career in medicine, Cairns lawyer Alice Bousanquet set her sights on a career in law, achieving an advanced career milestone at just 23.
Ms Bousanquet said she initially wanted a career in quantam science, but after a conversation with her brother, decided to pursue law.
“My brother said, Alice, do you see any ads for quantum mechanics in the paper? I said, no, and he said, that’s right, everyone needs a doctor or a lawyer. Pick one,” Ms Bousanquet said.
“I initially chose doctor, and had my first dissection in Grade 12 where I was faced with the brutal reality that I have an aversion for raw meat, blood and flesh, and I thought, okay, well, the other option is a lawyer.”
Originally from Innisfail, Ms Bousanquet studied law at James Cook University in Townsville before moving to Cairns for work.
“For the first year and a half, I was in Townsville when I started my legal career as an office junior, then I decided that a move to Cairns would be a good idea because I have family up here... and I haven’t looked back since,” she said.
Ms Bousanquet, who was recently promoted to law associate at Devenish Law, said she hoped to continue her career in Far North Queensland and realise her dream of becoming a barrister.
“The goal in the next five to 10 years, I do see myself continuing in the ranks of this particular law firm, moving up the ranks... going on to become a barrister is a dream of mine, with the ultimate view of becoming a magistrate or a judge in due course,” she said.
“I have probably another decade or two of experience before I get there, but I’m willing to put in the hard yards.”
Ms Bousanquet is estimated to be the youngest law associate in Cairns, and one of the youngest lawyers in the region.
SHONTELLE SKINNER, 31 – CONTENT CREATOR
From watching food vlogs on YouTube to working at some of Australia’s high ranking restaurants, content creator and food critic Shontelle Skinner has set her sights on making Far North Queensland a foodie hot spot.
Ms Skinner, who runs the series Everything I Eat, Cairns on Instagram, said content creation was only the start of her dream to highlight the region’s hospitality sector.
“My vision is to bring (television) producers to Cairns and highlight on a national stage like the culinary delights of Far North Queensland and really get our beautiful chef brains out there,” Ms Skinner said.
“We are blessed geographically, we have some gastronomical masterminds emerging, and we’re in the forefront of beautiful, impeccable produce.”
The part time model, and business owner, said she had grown up in the hospitality industry, and later worked at restaurants in Melbourne.
“I was living in Melbourne for five years … working at the renowned Florentino on Bourke Street, that closed (due to Covid) and then I moved back up to Cairns,” she said.
“I grew up in hospitality, dining at restaurants, managing restaurants, my mother owned a restaurant as well, and she’s a chef so I feel like I have first-hand knowledge of what Cairns has to offer.”
In addition to content creation, Ms Skinner and her family also run accommodation for remote Indigenous patients receiving ongoing medical treatment in the city.
“So, myself and my two sisters own and operate the El Dorado (hotel) which facilitates accommodation in Cairns that’s contracted to Queensland Health, and we have patients and families who travel from remote Indigenous communities for ongoing medical care at Cairns Hospital,” she said.
“That was built brick by brick by our Nonna and father Maria and John, they’ve passed away so my sisters and I have now taken over and we feel really fortunate to be able to be in the process of housing who we feel is our most vulnerable demographic, First Nations.
“We take a lot of pride in our work and we love what we do.”
JAYDEN PUE, 27, KAI PUE, 26 – CO-FOUNDERS OF BLVE FITNESS
For Cairns brothers Kai and Jayden Pue, a passion for fitness and helping their community runs in their blood.
The pair launched BLVE Fitness from their family home in 2019, after working in fitness for a number of years.
“We all started at F45, Jayden worked on the Gold Coast in the CrossFit area and I was a cleaner and creche carer at World Gym, so from all these parts of learning and growing, we developed the skills and the knowledge to run (the gym) ourselves,” Kai said.
“Every day we just had a goal that this was what we wanted to do … it was fun and games at first, but we always kept in mind that this was the level we wanted to be at someday.”
He said the Bungalow-based gym had grown from rusty dumbbells and $5 personal training sessions, to a fully-equipped warehouse now boasting 260 members.
However the most important thing for the brothers was being able to give back to the community, including through charity events such as the Cardiac Challenge and Movember 24-hour run.
“I had my heart surgery when I was 17, so that was a bit of a bit of a turning point for me, but I’m very blessed to have a good family that pushed me towards the better way of going down life … so my passion really comes from (health) safety and looking after people,” Kai said.
Meanwhile Jayden, whose rugby league career ended at 16 due to a leg injury, said his journey into CrossFit inspired his fitness career.
“I broke my leg and I needed something else, so I kind of quit rugby league and I got into CrossFit at one of the local gyms and got into running,” Jayden said.
“And I guess Movember came to me because that was kind of what I dealt with when I was younger, and this is my chance to help people in this way, and find a charity that we can get involved in.”
Despite brotherly clashes every now and then, the brothers said there was nobody else they would rather go into business with.
“I actually couldn’t think of doing this with anyone else,” Jayden said.
AMBER GROSSMANN, 23 – PLAYWRIGHT
Whether it’s writing and directing stage plays or mentoring the next generation, 24-year-old Amber Grossmann has always been passionate about regional theatre.
From humble beginnings writing a high school play, to making her theatre directorial debut with O, Ophelia earlier this year, the young playwright set out to make a name for herself.
“As a high school student, you kind of hear this rhetoric that there’s nothing in Cairns, particularly for the art space, so I wanted to challenge that notion as a young person in the industry,” Ms Grossmann said.
“You often hear like, ‘oh you’re going to knock on so many doors and you’re going to be knocked back’ … but I decided I didn’t really want to knock on doors, I wanted to make my own door … and that was quite pertinent to the realm of theatre I’m interested in.”
Ms Grossmann, who works in admin at JUTE Theatre Company said she was also able to exercise her creative skills teaching young artists.
“For me, education has always been such an important part of creativity – young people are inherently creative and inherently intelligent, and they hold a perspective and a knowledge of the world that sometimes can be pushed down,” she said.
“So (it’s great) to be able to empower young people to choose creativity, to choose not only their passion, but to equip them with the skills to make whatever it is they want to do, because it’s not enough to say follow your heart … you do need to have certain skill sets.”
Ms Grossmann said she hoped to be able to empower the region’s young creatives the way her mentors helped her.
“I was very lucky that I had a lot of incredible mentors from across the regions from across Australia who did believe in me.”
KRYSTAL MANISH, 13 – FOUNDER OF TURTLE LOOMS
After watching YouTube tutorials on how to make a scrunchie Cairns teenager Krystal Manish has turned her hobby into a successful online business.
The high-school student said the venture started when she was gifted a small sewing machine for her 11th birthday.
“My mum got me a sewing machine from Kmart, one of the small kids ones, and I started sewing with it by watching YouTube tutorials, I was trying to learn something simple so I just learnt a scrunchie,” Krystal said.
“Then at my school we were selling things for Daffodil Day and I made 50 yellow scrunchies to sell to students, so they could wear yellow, then the money went to Camp Quality – an organisation that helps kids with cancer.”
From there, she continued learning to create more items to expand the business.
“We’re selling scrunchies, bags, pencil cases, glasses cases right now. I want to do bucket hats eventually,” she said.
Krystal said she hoped to continue with the business, even after finishing high school in a few years.
“I’ll probably end up making more products throughout my years,” she said.
She has also made gift packs and themed merchandise for Mother’s Day, Christmas and NAIDOC Week, with orders available year-round through the Turtle Looms Facebook and Instagram pages.
CYRUS JENTZEN, 30 – FOUNDER OF LANTERN CONSULTING
From hacking into gaming websites in primary school to keeping Australian’s safe online, Lantern Consulting cybersecurity founder Cyrus Jentzen has always wanted to help people.
The hacker, who chose to use his skills for good, not evil, said he discovered an affinity for computer hacking from an early age.
“When I was growing up in high school, I did hacking, just jailbreaking the school computers to play games, even in primary school, I would work the computer to get access to different games,” Mr Jentzen said.
At 15, Mr Jentzen dropped out of Year 10 and was living homeless in Melbourne.
During the day, he would learn about computer programming at the city library.
“I would just get on a laptop on the computer, go on YouTube, and learn programming, so I was learning Python, React, Linux, how to operate the computer, creating different scripts on how to break websites, how to protect websites,” he said.
“I built my portfolio and got my first job at a company called Open SIM, that enabled me to get out of homelessness and move on to working with (a bank) … and over time, I was freelancing in cyber security because my skills increased.”
Mr Jentzen said he had never considered using his hacking skills for nefarious purposes, instead choosing to help people keep their information safe.
“I’ve never had a thought in my mind that says go and steal from someone,” he said.
“I’ve never had money, but the thought never came to my mind – it’s more so, how can I make something good of myself to get myself out of these circumstances,” he said.
Now, the father-of-one wants to train others, particularly Indigenous youth, in the art of cyber safety.
“As the company is growing, we’re going to be looking for employees, so we’re currently creating a program that educates youth, from Indigenous backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait, and PNG,” he said.
“We want to train them in cyber security, train them in AI, how to build websites, how to protect in technology and employ them, and if we don’t have space to employ them, we want them to be employable somewhere else, that’s the drive behind Lantern.”
ANGEL SERAPHINO, 28 – CO-FOUNDER OF IGNITE PURPOSE SERVICES
From helping young people make good choices to giving families a space to relax, Igniting Purpose Services Co-Founder Angel Serafino and the IPS team are passionate about serving our community.
Originally from New Zealand, Mrs Serafino moved to Cairns as a teenager before starting a career in youth and disability work.
“I grew up in a home where we were always helping and serving others whether it was at church, home or school,” Mrs Serafino said.
“I did FIFO for the last 12 months doing youth work, and I did youth work here in Cairns as well as disability work, and I love seeing our people happy, which makes it such a rewarding space.”
Her passion to help others led her to connect with IPS’ four other co-founders and created Igniting Purpose Services, engaging with young people to develop healthy social habits.
“We come from a preventive and holistic approach, so we understand that life does happen but our question is – how do we help you navigate through this to have a different outcome?” she said.
“We all have a shared vision, specialising in different areas like child and youth services, disability and transition to adulthood – so we wanted to create a space where everyone would come together.”
She said the organisation, which launched in January, aimed to provide a range of youth services while building relationships with various cultural and community organisations, to help our community collaboratively.
“I grew up in a place where … (young people) didn’t really have a voice … so it’s my personal mission to make sure every person we come into contact with gets to be heard and seen.”
AKON ALI, 19 – CO-FOUNDER OF BLUEBUCK AI, PHALANX FITNESS
At just 19-years-old Babinda based entrepreneur Akon Ali launched two businesses within one year of each other.
Mr Ali, who opened new gym Phalanx Fitness in Babinda earlier this year, also launched artificial intelligence consulting service, Bluebuck AI, for small and medium businesses.
“I’m creative and always have ideas that I want to try, ventures that I want to take,” Mr Ali said.
At the heart of both businesses, Mr Ali said he wanted to focus on how he could help better the community.
“The gym is going smoothly thanks to the great trainers and also the community who show great support to get out there and have a crack,” he said.
“But Bluebuck AI is the first AI automation agency start up agency here in North Queensland, where we help businesses automate business processes using AI tech.”
Mr Ali, who first began learning AI technology in 2023 said he saw a gap in the market between corporations using AI compared to “mum and pop shops.”
“I came to find there is an enormous gap between small to medium businesses that desperately need AI to stay competitive and their ability to implement it, so I took the time to sit down and build the skills and the team to become an automated agency,” he said.
With a rapidly evolving tech landscape, Mr Ali said it was important to stay on top of AI advancements.
“Because AI is so new and full of so many creatives piecing together different products, it’s a really exciting industry and I’m really committing to truly finding capabilities of what it can bring.”
ALEX WILSON, 22 – AVIATION MAINTENANCE ENGINEER
Following in his father’s footsteps, 22-year-old Alex Wilson has not only received his pilot’s license, he has also achieved an aircraft engineering apprenticeship.
“My dad started flying and that’s pretty much where it all started,” Mr Wilson said.
“I got my recreational pilot’s license, and then I did the course at Aviation Australia.”
Mr Wilson, who finished a two-year apprenticeship with the company and is working to become a licensed aircraft engineer said he enjoyed working with his hands, and learning new skills daily.
“There’s a lot of learning … it’s a constant thing, but it’s good,” he said.
While Mr Wilson said it was hard to think past one day at a time, he hoped to create a lasting career in the aviation industry.
“It’s all early days, so it’s hard to think as far as tomorrow, rather than what you’ll do 10 years from now,” he said.
However, he said Cairns was a good starting point, with lots of opportunities to work on all kinds of aircraft.
“Cairns is quite a large port for how far north we are, and it’s good because you’ve got a lot of overseas airlines coming in,” he said.
HARRY STACEY, 24 – AVIATION MAINTENANCE ENGINEER
Also working to become an aircraft engineer is 24-year-old Harry Stacey, who switched trades around two years ago.
“For me it was the mechanical side of things, I wanted to do something with my hands – I was doing something different and wasn’t really enjoying it, so I switched to (aviation),” Mr Stacey said.
“It’s quite high level but still working with your hands … and it’s doing something that’s a bit more technical without going to uni, so it’s pretty appealing.”
Mr Stacey said one thing he liked about working in aviation, was the opportunity to work anywhere in the world.
“I think once you’re licensed and more experienced you can kind of go anywhere, because it’s a well sought after trade,” he said.
“There’s a big shortage of licensed engineers, so it’s a good time to get into it.”
Mr Stacey said Jet Aviation provided a great training ground for Far North locals looking to get into the trades.
“I think it’s good for young people here, you shouldn’t have less opportunities because you don’t live in a major city,” he said.
“It’s good that people who have grown up here have similar opportunities, and then that can take you all over the country.
“You shouldn’t be excluded just because you’re regional, and it keeps us connected to the rest of the country.”
ELENIGEENA ADAMS, 20 – DIRECTOR/MUSICIAN
From directing and starring in indie-films to producing her own music video 20-year-old Elenigeena Adams has her sights set on the stars.
The indie-film director crowd funded her latest project, a self-written and produced music video shot at Elixir Music Bar in Cairns.
“Music has always been the basis of everything creative that I do, even the films that I do, the way I visualise is through music,” Ms Adams said.
“I make the film based on the story I tell through music, so it was a matter of time before writing something myself.”
Ms Adams, who wrote and directed short film Love Waves on a $6 budget in 2024, released her debut single, Tell Me, earlier this year.
“I was writing this little song in my bedroom at 11pm and was like, I really like this – I know exactly what I want for the music video, so I got a little crew together of amazing filmmakers that I always collaborate with,” she said.
In addition to songwriting and directing, Ms Adams also dipped her toes into acting, securing the lead role in Far North Queensland’s first original fantasy film, Quest: A Hero’s Journey, in 2024.
“The opportunity (to act) came up and I just sort of took it, but I’ve always loved directing,” she said.
“I’ve always created stories in my head (while listening to music), it’s something I’ve always done … so music is always going to be my base, but I love being able to direct my creative process.”
When asked where she saw herself in five years, Ms Adams said she hoped to continue performing and creating.
“I want to be performing … I want to be making my own music, producing my own songs and have that hands on approach,” she said.
“I feel like doing something creative, and having the space to do that and incorporate other creatives, and maybe down the track have my own clothes line or something – that’s the dream.”
LUVY FA’AOFO, 19, OWNER NF FRAMES MEDIA
After discovering a passion for media in high school, 18-year-old Luvy Fa'aofo decided to turn her hobby into a full-time career.
The high school graduate launched her business during the final months of Year 12 and decided to take a gap year to pursue her dream.
“I do short film content for a lot of like different businesses, mostly community based … it’s really fun because I get to capture their moments of just helping the community and coming together,” Ms Fa’aofo said.
“I started mainly as a hobby, – I used to film stuff for my family all the time, like my aunty and uncles gender reveal, and they kept telling me I should look into (content creating), but I wasn’t into it at the time.”
After some nudging by friends and fellow business owners, Ms Fa’aofo decided to take the leap and launch a content creation business.
“I’m mostly about storytelling, but … I’ve been trying to step into the promotion side of content making, which has been a bit of a challenge, but really good,” she said.
While Ms Fa’aofo said she enjoyed creating content, she said her ultimate dream would be to use her skills for storytelling.
“I think filming is a way for me to express my story and also help other people express their story, so it’s a reward being able to communicate other people’s stories and connecting everyone through emotion, meaning or anything else like that,” she said.
If you or someone you know is a young entrepreneur, industry pioneer or leader, nominate them for a chance to make our 35 Under 35 list, email catherine.duffy@news.com.au.
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Originally published as From tech to creative arts: Meet the next generation of Far North leaders
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