A matter of influence
Iused to love watching Countdown when I was growing up. It was essential viewing for just about any age group if you wanted to be hip and know what was happening in the music industry. Molly Meldrum was the bomb and had all the best acts on the show and it was fun to count down the best hits. I remember a pimply faced Michael Hutchence and INXS perform live for the first time. To a whippersnapper it looked to me like he wanted to eat his microphone but for others I guess it was sensual. Then there was a young American dancer trying to make it as a singer. Madonna’s first performance on Australian soil was so hip at the time. There she was with hair teased to within an inch of her life, sloppy tank top with bra and belly button peeking out and bangles jangling to the beat of her soon-to-be-a-hit Holiday. If you look at the foot- age now, it looks pretty tame but back then? She was mega cool and world’s apart from the likes of Sherbet.
The Cairns Post has been conducting its own countdowns this week.
How did you go? Did you guess the top 10s in our Most Influential and Queensland sports stars 100 lists?
Our sports department is a proud lot and came up with its own top 10 Far North sports stars with no surprises on who was No.1. Yep, Prince Billy Slater. Today we produce the entire 50 in the Most Influential list in our annual special edition of the Cairnseye.
This year the Cairns Regional Council’s CEO John Andrejic holds the mantle.
He pips former No.1s, Mayor Bob Manning and Syrian billionaire Ghassan Aboud, whose first hotel development in Cairns opened in early November.
Mr Andrejic’s influence does not come through election, obscene wealth or selfpromoting networking.
Instead his elevated influence in the past year has been thrust upon him via circumstance – a new set of Queenslandwide local government laws. Since their introduction 22 decisions have been deferred to him because of councillors’ conflicts of interest. These decisions influence the ordinary but precious daily lives of Cairns ratepayers.
I doubt this influence is something Mr Andrejic ever wanted but through lawful process he has it in spades.
No.3 on our list is murder victim Toyah Cordingley. Her death has affected the community in a deep and personal way. People have been outraged, heartbroken and defiant all at once.
Her young, vibrant soul reached out to the community to act. People who didn’t even know her have scoured beaches, assisted police and plastered Toyah stickers everywhere. Her death has made many thousands of minds pause to wonder why can’t a woman walk her dog safely on a beautiful beach?
Why not indeed Toyah.
MR ANDREJIC’S INFLUENCE DOES NOT COME THROUGH ELECTION, OBSCENE WEALTH OR SELF-PROMOTING NETWORKING. INSTEAD HIS ELEVATED INFLUENCE IN THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN THRUST UPON HIM VIA CIRCUMSTANCE.