Top 10 powerful people
WARWICK is a town full of movers and shakers, and to celebrate just a few of our best and brightest, the Daily News has been counting down the Rose City’s 50 most influential figures.
Here are the top 10 most powerful people in Warwick for 2021:
10. JOY CRAIG
Heading up the town’s biggest high school through a pandemic is by no means an easy feat, but it’s a challenge Warwick High principal Joy Craig has tackled head-on.
She has proven a steadfast leader through the tumultuous Covid-19 period, handling both homeschooling and on-campus requirements to ensure students’ learning remained as seamless as possible.
9. LEWIS VON STIEGLITZ
Whether it’s through his impressive business acumen or dedicated volunteer work, Lewis von Stieglitz is one of the key voices guiding Warwick into the future.
In his decade-long tenure as Warwick Credit Union CEO, Mr von Stieglitz has used his nearly 30 years of finance experience to not only safeguard individual residents’ funds but continue reinvesting in the town.
8. WICKHAM GROUP
Graham and Donna Keogh, Darren and Lynelle Eather, and Hadyn and Kerri Lamb head up one of the region’s biggest local employers in the Wickham Group.
Through a series of challenges from drought to fires and a global pandemic, the multidimensional business has kept both its farming and transport divisions trucking along.
7. GRAEME COLLINS
The man behind Warwick’s flourishing Parmalat precinct, Graeme Collins has long been one of the town’s most well-regarded business identities.
Since acquiring the historic former butter factory in 2018, Mr Collins has transformed the beautiful old building into a thriving business precinct.
6. JOHN DEE TEAM
From humble beginnings of just 10 employees, John Dee has grown to a staff of more than 500 and earned its place as one of the nation’s most prominent meat processing facilities.
Bob Hart spent decades building the business into what is now Australia’s oldest single-family owned meat processor.
5. JAMES LISTER
Since his election as Member for the Southern Downs in 2016, James Lister has tirelessly campaigned for his regional and rural constituents.
He moved into politics after 17 years in the Royal Australian Air Force. Mr Lister advocates for the ex-service community and better mental health support networks.
He has also fought strongly to put the Southern Downs on the map through tourism, industry, and agriculture, and has been a fierce voice in parliament for his community.
4. VIC PENNISI
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi won the support of the region in the 2020 election, scoring the top job after 16 years as a councillor.
Campaigning on a platform of trust and transparency, Mr Pennisi has remained focused on making council decisions and processes open to the community and building a relationship with constituents.
3. DAVID LITTLEPROUD
Federal Maranoa MP David Littleproud has given Warwick a direct line into Australian politics as he calls the Rose City home and has an office on Palmerin St.
The Maranoa MP’s role as the Agriculture Minister makes him a fierce advocate for Warwick’s thriving agricultural industry.
2. FRASER FAMILY
From spearheading an industryleading business to a range of community initiatives, the Frasers are among Warwick’s biggest heavyweights.
Leading one of Warwick’s biggest businesses in Frasers Livestock Transport to national success, the family put its beloved community on the map and continues to support the region’s agricultural sector.
1. DR LYNTON HUDSON
Being one of the region’s most prominent and trusted medical professionals is a tough gig at the best of times, much less while facing a global pandemic, but it’s one Dr Lynton Hudson has made look easy.
The Condamine Medical Centre co-owner is one of Warwick’s longest-serving doctors and has additional qualifications in paediatrics, obstetrics, anaesthetics, and acupuncture.
He and the CMC team also spearheaded the respiratory and Covid-19 testing clinics in Warwick, along with the town’s Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccine rollout.
His steadfast leadership under extreme pressure, and commitment to his patients and the community have earned Dr Hudson the title of Warwick’s most powerful figure for 2021.
CHECK OUT THE COMPLETE TOP 50 MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE FOR 2021 ONLINE AT WARWICKDAILYNEWS.COM.AU