FEW who know Poppy-Jane Todd would be surprised if she one day became our next premier or prime minister.
At just 21 years old her life has been marked by excelling both in the academic and artistic realms.
Just listening to her achievements is enough to make the average person feel exhausted.
Poppy is currently in her third year of a five-year degree in Bachelor of Laws and Advanced Humanities at the University of Queensland, having won the prestigious Ramsay Undergraduate Scholarship for academic excellence, community service, and leadership.
She said she was particularly enjoying law and the possibilities it can offer as well as gaining a broad understanding of art history, literature, religion and philosophy through Humanities.
In between study she’s working part-time for Member for Scenic Rim MP Jon Krause, managing his social media and community engagement.
“I am enjoying my work in politics and would like to see where that takes me. It gives you an opportunity to help people and give back to the community and I like how fast paced it is, and you can do different things every day. One day it’s media another taking photos at an event. It’s varied and keeps you on your toes,” Poppy shared.
“I’ve just got to see where politics takes me, there are a lot of alternate goals.
“I’ve got plans across a lot of areas, so there isn’t just one goal.”
In late 2023 she ventured into business, buying Tamborine Mountain Dance Academy (TMDA).
“I’d been a student there since the age of two and half and competed in various eisteddfods and summer schools. I did it all. I never thought I’d run it,” she said.
“I never wanted a professional career in dance, I wanted to pursue my academic studies, but the opportunity came up and I thought it would be great experience learning how to run a business, and it has been.
“I had no experience in that area and no one in my immediate family had run a business so it was a big learning curve but exciting and creative seeing your vision come to life and it incorporated advertising and marketing which I have an interest in.”
She said she’s loved being able to implement the ideas she had as a student and bring that perspective to the business.
“When I took it over it had about 35 students, now we have grown to about 120.
She attributes the growth to injecting new energy and ideas into TMDA to keep up with the modern industry and bring back what the school was known for, which was excellent technique and training – something she felt set TMDA apart from community dance schools.
And she stated she’s not done with plans to improve the school even further.
Poppy’s other long-term passion playing music.
“I’d always loved music, which went hand in hand with dance and the arts. I played piano since a young child, but as I got older pursued the saxophone and was in the school bands,” she said.
In 2019 she joined the Tamborine Mountain Orchestra.
“I came upon the orchestra as an opportunity to develop my skills especially under Sean Butler, the conductor, who is a very gifted musician and very willing to teach and help.
Poppy has lived her whole life on the mountain. She went to St Bernards State Primary School before attending St Hilda’s on the Gold Coast for high school after getting a scholarship.
“I’ve always been someone who likes to do a lot. I would be going to school at 6:30 am and having athletics in the morning coming home and attending dance until 6:30 pm. I’ve always been relentless for my mother,” Poppy smiled.
“I got used to studying in the car.”
Poppy’s latest achievement is being named Beaudesert Showgirl for 2025, which she hoped would bring further opportunities to connect with the community and grow as a person.
“I felt very honoured to win and excited and grateful to the judges for seeing the ability in me and giving me the chance to take on that position.”
The mountain remains strong in Poppy’s heart: “It’s always been a place I can come back to in the midst of my hectic life,” she shared.
“When I drive up the Mountain and see the greenery I feel a sense of calm. It’s a retreat from the hectic world.
“I love the community and walking down Main Street and seeing so many people I know. There is a sense of comfort in that.”
When she’s not working and studying she likes to go to the gym, run and do Pilates or hot yoga as well as catch up with friends for dinner.
“I’m pretty good at fitting in a couple of social things each week,” she admitted.
