These are well known locals you may be familiar with who have been either born & bred in Nambour or have close ties with Nambour. They include: sporting identities, theatre, TV & film actors, band members, a new country/pop sensation…oh, & of course not forgetting Nambour’s most famous sons – Australia’s Prime Minister & Federal Treasurer!

There’s so many more incredible local identities we are endeavouring to add to this list who are proud to call Nambour home & have not only achieved amazing personal goals in a wide range of careers but are still doing great things for this town. This says a lot for the community spirit & commitment to excel that comes from the great education, arts, theatre & sporting opportunities available in Nambour.

Sport | Politics | Performing Arts | Music

SPORT
In the sporting list are Cricketer, Ashley Noffke born in Nambour in 1977, a fast to medium bowler & also a good hand with the bat. Notching up an enviable score of 114 not out in first class cricket. Ashley has been included in the Ashes Tours.

Angela Kennedy, also born in Nambour was well known as an award winning butterfly swimmer in the 1990’s, winning a silver medal for Australia in the 4 x 100m medley relay at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia USA. Angela is now a policewoman.

Other sporting names of note include Ian Nankervis, an AFL footballer who later made his home in Nambour. During his long career with the Geelong Football Club in Victoria, making his debut in 1967 & playing a total of 17 seasons, he boldly made his mark on the game. As of 2005, Ian Nankervis still held the Geelong Football Club record of the most senior level games, a total of 325 played for the VFL. He also represented Victoria at state level on 11 occasions.

Billy Slater, a well known Rugby League player for Melbourne Storm joining the team in 2003, was also born in Nambour in 1983. He later rode as a trackwork jockey for Gai Waterhouse for a short time. Known as a consistent performer for his club, Billy Slater prefers to play in the fullback position also being very capable on the wings or centre. He even has his own fan club! Notable for his speed on the field, & his instinctive style of play at key moments, Billy manages to be in the right place at the right time. In his career, he equalled Matt Geyer’s 1999 season try-scoring record of 20, he also played in 5 State of Origin Games for Queensland.

POLITICS
Kevin Rudd, born in 1957, is a well-known Labor Party identity who was elected as the new Leader of The Opposition on December 4, 2006, replacing the former leader Kim Beazley. Mr Rudd spent some of his formative years in the area & was once Dux of Nambour State High School. After finishing at Nambour High, he continued his educational studies at the Australian National University, graduating with first class honours in Chinese Language & History. Mr Rudd joined the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade in 1981 working in the Australian Embassies in both Stockholm & Beijing. Mr Rudd’s many responsibilities included domestic political & economic analysis. On his return to Australia, he worked for the department in a number of positions including the Policy Planning Bureau & was promoted to Assistant Secretary.

In 1988, Mr Rudd took leave to assist the then Queensland State Opposition Leader Wayne Goss, & in 1992 was appointed Director-General of the Cabinet Office remaining with the Queensland State Government until 1995.

After a period working as a China Consultant with KPMG, Kevin was elected to Parliament as the Member for Griffith on Brisbane’s Southside in the House of Representatives in 1998. A  popular politician, he was re-elected in 2001 & 2004 with an increased vote at both elections. In 2001 after the Federal Election, he was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs. After a reshuffle of the Shadow Cabinet in 2004, Mr Rudd was given responsibility for International Security retaining these portfolios after the 2004 Election.

In the next Federal Election in late 2007, Mr Rudd, along with his Deputy Julia Gilliard will lead the Australian Labor Party to contest the ballot for a change of Federal Government by  presenting an alternative choice to the  Australian people. At his maiden speech as new leader, Mr Rudd offered to the electorate an energised & cohesive party with a fresh new outlook for the future for all Australians. Who knows? In 2007 we may have an Australian Prime Minister with links to Nambour! (written April 2007)
UPDATE: Sat 24 Nov 2007:
Kevin Rudd defeats John Howard & is elected to be Australia’s Prime Minister. Now Nambour’s most famous export!

Wayne Swan, Australian Labor Party representative for the seat of Lilley in Queensland was born in Nambour in 1954 & was a lecturer at the Queensland Institute of Technology before entering politics. After the election loss of 2004, Wayne Swan was appointed  to the position of Shadow Treasurer. In his earlier career in politics, Mr Swan was an advisor to Bill Hayden, Leader of the Opposition in 1978—1980, also  advisor to Ministers’ Mick Young & Kim Beazley, & was State Secretary of the Queensland branch of the Australian Labor Party during the period of 1991—1993. (written April 2007)
UPDATE: Sat 24 Nov 2007:
Wayne Swan becomes Australia’s Treasurer. Now Nambour’s second most famous export!

PERFORMING ARTS
In the field of the Performing Arts & Music, the names of Sam Atwell, Duncan Phillips & the late Trevor Kent all have local links.

Trevor Kent, born in Nambour in 1940, passed away in 1989 in Melbourne. In his earlier career, he taught primary school both in Nambour & Buderim for three years while acting in amateur theatre groups. In the early 1960’s he moved to Sydney to train with the Independent Drama School, supporting himself during this period with teaching. He spent 10 years in the United Kingdom. During this time, he worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company. A man of many different talents, Trevor Kent, after returning to Sydney in 1974, played Doctor Frank N Furter in a stage production of the Rocky Horror Show. In the mid 80’s with his health failing, he continued working, directing two theatre productions for Out Theatre Productions until his death in 1989.
Some other highlights of Trevor’s acting career were Australian television appearances, having roles in well known shows such as Rush, The Sullivans, Cop Shop & Carson’s Law. In the long running favourite TV Show, Prisoner, he played the part of the villain Frank Burke for several months. His final acting appearance was with Meryl Streep in the film A Cry in the Dark in 1988.

Samuel Atwell, also known as Sam Atwell the actor, was  born in Nambour in 1979. His most notable role was playing Kane Phillips in the long running television production of Home & Away. From early in his school years, Sam had a talent for acting, being involved in many plays, also completing a short film made for television. In Grade 11,with the assistance of teachers & other students, he formed a school sponsored theatre company which produced plays such as Property of the Clan, All Stops Out & Dags. Some of his other TV credits include roles in All Saints.

MUSIC
Duncan Phillips is currently an important & very popular member of the American based band “The Newsboys.” Born in 1964 in Nambour, he has been living in America for the past 15 years. With his wife & two young daughters they now reside in Franklin, Tennessee. Duncan played at ‘Rockfest’ with REO Speedwagon & Judas Priest & is presently booked all over the USA on the “Go Tour’ with The Newsboys well into 2007. Recently, the band were invited to participate in The Friendship Festival  by the King of Morocco to promote more understanding through music between Moroccan people & the West. Playing to more than 15,000 Muslim festival-goers, The Newsboys enjoyed an enthusiastic response from the audience. Duncan was originally with the band as keyboarder in 1993, as the percussionist in 1994 & then switched to drums in 1997.

Shea Fisher
Although not born in Nambour, this area is her home. Shea has had a very interesting upbringing & was on the move with her parents in the rodeo scene from an early age, but in 2000 the family settled on the Sunshine Coast & Shea attended school in Nambour where she found her voice. Now with a US record deal & 2 albums, Shea is tipped to be Australia’s next ‘big thing’ on the Australian & International music scene, with her unique style fusing country music with pop. Shea has many musical influences & people who have inspired her on her journey so far it’s hard to just name one. The first album Shea ever bought was Shania Twain when she was ten years old. Shea believes Shania is such an incredible artist & she wanted to be just like Shania. Shea was her biggest fan.

You may catch Shea in stores across Australia in the coming weeks in conjunction with her new album “”Shea being released on the 20th March 2009

Twenty year old Shea Fisher was born in Portland Victoria in April 1988.
Shea has an amazing story. As well as being a recording artist, both in Australian and now in the US as well, Shea is a champion rodeo rider.
In 2008 she recorded her second album with award winning US producer Richard Landis, with the assistance of Steve Forde after being invited by Commercial Radio Australia to perform at the CMA Music Festival's Global Artist Party.
Following the recording of the album, Shea was signed to new US Label Stroudavarious, which is headed by hit making US producer James Stroud. Shea is the first female signed to Stroudavarious and she'll head to the US in mid 2009 to begin her US assault after the initial Australian release of the album.
Shea Fisher's new album, titled Shea features a mix of pop and mainstream pop/country tracks – it's not a common mix and the album is quite unique. The common denominator throughout the album are the themes and overall vibe which consistently touch on relationships, break ups, summer holidays and everything else that young girls experience and deal with. The album will be released in Australia on March 20, 2009.
"From a young age, I've just naturally worn a lot of different 'hats'. There's the singer, songwriter and performer, the rodeo chick, the beach girl and then the normal teenager who just wants to have a good time with my mates", says Shea. "It has been such an incredible journey so far, and I know this is only the beginning".
The message of self belief is another key element of the new album.
“I believe that anything is possible no matter how big or how small your dream is. No matter what anyone says, don't let anyone tell you, you can't live out your dreams. Stick at it and you can make it. If you fall, get back up again and keep going. Whatever you want to do is possible if you want to make it happen,” says Shea.
Shea flew to Los Angeles in December 2008 to film the music video for the new album's first single ‘Don't Chase Me'. The clip was produced by acclaimed US producer Trey Fanjoy, who has also recently produced clips for the likes of Keith Urban, Taylor Swift and The Wreckers in the US.

Have a listen to Shea, watch music videos & keep up with her busy schedule here >>
www.myspace.com/sheafishermusic

Catch Shea on Mon 23 Mar 2009, 9am - Performance of ’Don’t Chase Me’ on Mornings With Kerri-Anne. , Channel 9 & WIN TV

Visit Shea’s website: www.sheafisher.com

WHO IS SHEA FISHER? FROM RODEO STAR TO ROCK STAR: HER STORY SO FAR…
Shea Fisher was born in Portland Victoria in April 1988. She’s the daughter of Australian bull riding & bareback riding champion Eddie Fisher & barrel racing champion Joanne Fisher. Shea started to ride & compete in rodeos at the age of 3 when she entered her first barrel race and for the next few years the Fisher family travelled Australia competing in rodeo competitions.
At the age of seven Shea won her first junior barrel race against 18 year olds & in 1997 she won her first National Rodeo Association Junior Barrel Racing title.
In March 1998, Shea & her family moved over to the United States of America where her father Eddie Fisher was competing in the Bud Light Cup tour and the PBR bull rides. He was ranked in the top 45 bull riders in the world. When they first moved over to the US they lived in New Mexico on a ranch not far from Roswell. Living on the ranch in New Mexico was a fantastic experience for Shea. Learning to drive a truck at the age of 9, mustering & branding cattle every week, and attending a small country school in Elida for half the year was just a small part of the experience. Shea lived the true cowgirl life.
The family then moved to Bellville, Texas & Shea began to compete in Texas Youth Rodeo Association events. She won the Junior Barrel Racing Championship, Goat Tying Championship, All Round Championship & was runner up in the Pole Bending & Breakaway Roping Championships.
Shea first became interested in country music whilst living in America. She always loved to sing but it wasn’t until then that she decided that country was truly her style of music.
In 1999 Eddie Fisher was working his way up the world standings, collecting big prize winning cheques each weekend until he badly broke his arm during a routine rodeo bull ride. After Eddie’s misfortune, the Fisher family decided to return back home to Australia.



In 2000 Shea was back at school on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland & began competing again on the Australian rodeo circuits, making it to the National Finals Rodeo in 2001 for Junior Barrel Racing & Junior Breakaway Roping. Shea first began to start getting into singing and performing in 2001 & began singing the National Anthem at professional rodeos including the National Finals Rodeo in addition to competing in the events.
Shea won her first major talent quest at the 2003 Mud Bulls & Music Festival. In 2004 she was accepted into Camerata, the country music college in Tamworth where she learnt a lot about the art of performing & then went on to be a Grand Finalist in the Gympie Muster Talent Search later that year.
Shea continued to compete at rodeos but also began performing shows afterwards at major rodeo events at Longreach & Mt. Isa. In 2004 she also made it to the APRA national finals rodeo in the Junior Breakaway and Barrel Race, and was the first girl ever in history to make it to the APRA National Finals in the Steer Ride. Throughout 2004, Shea was the only girl competing in the steer ride all year but was as tough as any boy. Luckily she had the expert help of her Australian champion father Eddie.
Shea would practice on a bucking machine during the week then on the weekend ride to win! She continued to balance Year 12 & her rodeo success into 2005 where she became the Australian Professional Rodeo Association Junior Barrel Racing Champion on her horse Jet, All Round Junior Champion & a national finalist in the Ladies Open Breakaway at only the age of 17.
At the 2006 Tamworth Festival, Shea performed several shows with her band, this included a couple of shows at the Australian Bushman’s Campdraft & Rodeo Association (ABCRA) National Finals Rodeo.
Shea supported Steve Forde & The Flange on the National 2006 Rowdy & Loud Tour while managing to fly to America to record her debut album in Nashville Tennessee. She also performed for the first time at the Deni Ute Muster before returning to the ABCRA National Finals Rodeo stage in Tamworth in early 2007.
In April 2007 and at the age of just 19, Shea signed a record deal with ABC Music & will release her debut album, titled “Everyday Girl” on July 14, 2007. At the announcement, Tim Holland (Manager, Country Music Label – ABC Music) said, “Shea is most definitely a star in the making. She brings a really fresh & exciting approach to country music. She’s a country girl at heart with a great story but like other young woman from the country these days, she’s very aware of what’s going on around the world & you can see this in the way she conducts herself. She’ll be a great role model for her young fans and she’s a dynamic performer who just keeps getting better & better.”

Shea is a dynamic performer with a great voice, Shea's gorgeous, gutsy & has a unique story. Her debut album, Everyday Girl, showcases her fresh approach to country music.
The eleven track album features Shea's debut single, Just The Excuse - a youthful upbeat country-pop track with a positive message for all ages. The other tracks, co-written with Steve Forde, include a mix of catchy country-pop & ballads which reflect Shea's diverse & vivacious approach to life.
Shea’s favourite place in Australia is Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast…her home town. Shea says there is nothing like home. When you are out on the road so much it is nice to come home for a weekend. Shea love the Sunshine Coast where she lives on the   land with her animals but she is still only 10 minutes from the main beaches at Maroochydore & Mooloolaba

"From a young age, I've just naturally worn a lot of different 'hats'; there's the songwriter & performer, the rodeo chick, & beach girl and then I'm also a normal teenager who just wants to have a good time with my mates", says Shea. "It has been such an incredible journey so far, and I know this is only the beginning".
Shea Fisher’s debut album “Everyday Girl” was released on July 7, 2007 through ABC Music/Warner Music Australia. Her 2nd album ‘Shea’ was released on 20th March 2009.