Meet Our Team

Ross has a background of 30 years in radio broadcasting, finishing with 14 years as Regional Manager of local radio station ABC Wide Bay. Since his retirement in 2014, he has been owner operator of Field of Dreams Media. Ross is a passionate advocate for regional communities and a community volunteer - Ross is a Rotarian, a White Ribbon Ambassador and a member of the local and National Boards of the YMCA.

Teena was CEO of multi award winning Mammino Gourmet Ice-Cream from 1996-2017. Diversifying from sugar cane &; macadamia farming in 1996 to ice-cream manufacturing. During her time at the helm, Mammino's won numerous awards, including Gold Award in the QLD Dairy Awards and induction in the SGBR Hall of Fame. Teena is also the Chair of the Childers Chamber of Commerce and a mentor for the Wide Bay Burnett RIRDC Young Women's Leadership and mentoring programs. Teena also has been a board member on Queensland Rural Women's Networking Board. Teena has been on our Board of Directors since 2017/2018 and was Deputy Chair in 2018/2019

Warrick the Chief Financial Officer at Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, holds a Masters Degree in Business Systems and is a CPA. With over 20 years of manufacturing experience including 5 years managing sourcing and distribution for international conglomerates in China, and then the last 15 years primarily working in a CFO capacity in FMCG companies, Warrick joins the Bundaberg Tourism Board of Directors with a strength in financial management and innovative business technology implementation to support decision making and sustainable growth.

Moving to Bundaberg from Melbourne with his wife of 24 years and two delightful children, Warrick has said, without a word of a lie, that living in Bundaberg with its climate and culture beats Melbourne every day of the week!

Duncan is the Bundaberg Rum DTC Marketing & Experience Manager and has been responsible for leading large scale, successful local tourism initiatives such as the redevelopment of the Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience and creating of The Spirit of Bundaberg Festival. Prior to working for Bundaberg Rum, Duncan worked for a number of marketing agencies based in Sydney and London developing award winning advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients including Hamilton Island. Throughout his career in tourism, Duncan has built strong professional relationships with key tourism bodies including Tourism & Events Queensland and Government officials at a Federal, State and Local level.

Rhys is co-owner of the award-winning Childers Eco-lodge offering country style accommodation and reputable harvest work to backpackers with the aim of improving their experience of the region. Having launched Childers Wine Tours to positive reviews, Rhys is expanding operations into ‘Off the Wagon Tours’ bringing a range of new tour products to the area. Passionate about the Bundaberg North Burnett Region, Rhys has worked in tourism and hospitality for over 12 years including running adventure tours in the Middle East and South America and brings a wealth of practical small business experience to the Board.

Carly is the owner of Splitters Farm, 160 acre property located in Sharon, just a 10min drive north of Bundaberg. Splitters Farm began 2 years ago as an animal sanctuary and is now home to over 180 rescue animals and counting. Day tours are a popular choice for families, however plans are in place for Splitters Farm to become a nature-based ecotourism destination by June-2020. Known first for her love of animals, Carly also has 22 years marketing experience with a diverse career background in radio, tourism and events. She previously owned her own marketing business in Bunbury WA, responsible for creating some of Western Australia’s most iconic tourism events and festivals. Prior to relocating to Bundaberg six years ago, Carly was based in Sydney as the Marketing and Live Events Manager for Australia’s most successful export, The Wiggles.

Tina is the joint owner of Tinaberries. Tina has worked in tourism and marketing for resorts and hotels and tourism marketing for Lindeman Island Resort; The Island Resort, Long Island; Radisson Hotels and Resorts Tina has also farmed in New Zealand, Uruguay, Indonesia and Australia in large scale projects and corporate farming which led to farming in her own right and establishing her now thriving horticulture and farm tourism business. Tina has been the President of Passionfruit Australia for the las 5 years and is currently on the board of Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers.

Alex Cameron joins the tourism board bringing a wealth of hospitality, restaurant and produce experience. He is the joint owner of Water St Kitchen, a fine dining restaurant nestled in the suburbs close to the Bundaberg CBD. From busy beginnings as a catering company in 2016 Water St Kitchen is also now a fully fledged and sophisticated restaurant celebrating our amazing local produce and is the go-to destination for coffee dates, long lunches and special occasion fare. Alex and his wife Jen are famous for their house-made granola, sand crab lasagne and impeccable coffee and service. Alex moved to Bundaberg after an extensive background in establishing and operating restaurants and hospitality venues throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast including Moo Moo Wine Bar & Grill and BSKT Cafe. His favourite thing about the Bundaberg region is access to the freshest and best produce hand-delivered by local farmers which can be picked, packed, delivered and crafted into something special on the table that same day.

The Board appointed Chief Executive Officer since October 2015, Katherine also held the position of Marketing Manager 2013-2015. Bringing to the team a holistic understanding of regional tourism and business having been heavily involved in the destination development of the Town of 1770 - Agnes Water as President of the LTO, and owner, operator of eco-tourism business, 1770 LARC tours for 17 years. Winning numerous regional and state awards for Cultural and Heritage Tourism, Eco-tourism, Visitor Attraction and a Tourism Champion Award for outstanding contribution to the tourism industry.

Katherine is also the current elected Deputy Chair of the Queensland RTO Network and joined the Board of Directors for the Queensland Tourism Industry Council in 2019.

With a passion for community, sustainability and the Great Barrier Reef, and a mother of two adventurous, happy kids, Katherine loves getting out and about to explore the pristine natural environments of Bundaberg, the North Burnett and the Southern Great Barrier Reef….as long as there’s good coffee!

Email: sheryl.thompson@bundabergregion.org

Sheryl is a Bundaberg local, who after leaving home at the age of 18 to work, travel and raise a family throughout Queensland in places like Mackay, Gladstone and on the Sunshine Coast, returned home to Bundaberg eight years ago. Sheryl has a strong financial and administration background, having worked in construction, small business, and community, not for profit organisations for over 15 years. Along with her husband, Sheryl loves being home in Bundy, spending time with family, exploring the camping areas, the beaches, scenic drives and amazing cafes.

Email: ellie.tonkin@bundabergregion.org

Ellie has forged a career in destination marketing and events in regional Queensland, with experience in tourism marketing, community festivals and live performance, and regional business events. Ellie has been promoting the Southern Great Barrier Reef for over 10 years, as prior to working for Bundaberg Tourism, Ellie lived in Rockhampton and worked for Capricorn Enterprise. She is originally a Northern Territorian, however has spent most of her adult life in Queensland. Ellie and her husband have two loud and energetic little boys who love getting out and about exploring the Bundaberg region.

Talk to me about: Marketing campaigns, PR, Bundaberg and Southern Great Barrier Reef branding

Email: jon.mcpherson@bundabergregion.org

Jon is our Digital Marketing Specialist and started with Bundaberg Tourism early August 2017. Jon has a Degree in Multimedia and years of experience in web development, media and graphic design. What does Jon love about our region? I love how much nature Bundaberg and surrounds has on offer. Our reef is perfect, islands are incredible, and our national parks are very accessible.

Talk to me about: Website, digital marketing and graphic design

Email: connie.rixon@bundabergregion.org

After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing at the Queensland University of Technology, Connie made the move to Bundaberg to pursue a career in destination marketing. Originally born and raised on the Sunshine Coast, Connie’s passion for promoting the region paired with her love of digital marketing has made for an exciting transition into the workplace. On her days off you’ll find Connie exploring the beautiful beaches lining the coral coast and tasting the regions freshest produce.

Email: maddison.clerke@bundabergregion.org

Maddison’s passion for the industry led her to study Tourism and Marketing at The University of Queensland. Maddison returned to Bundaberg to enjoy the relaxed, coastal lifestyle of Bundaberg. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting the new attractions that are always popping up in the region.

Talk to me about: Social media and marketing campaigns

Email: chantele.nelson@bundabergregion.org

I have worked in the aged care, retirement living and community care sectors for the past 16 years holding varying roles from Facility Manager, Regional Manager and Operational Manager at a State level in NSW & ACT overseeing 29 retirement communities I have 2 girls, Caitlyn (12) Taylor (14)

Talk to me about: the three Visitor Information Centres

Email: info@bundabergregion.org

Louisa is one of our Holiday Experience Specialists and Supervisor at the Bundaberg Visitor Information Centre and is one of our experts on anything fishing and national parks. One of her favourite things to do is go fishing and bushwalking with her family and you wouldn't be surprised to hear that her favourite restaurant is Grunskes. Moving from Central coast NSW when she was 13, Louisa spent 10 years living in Childers before moving to Bundaberg and we haven't been able to get rid of her since. Her background includes administration, retail and working with children and she is currently very busy studying a bachelor of primary education and diploma in travel and tourism. Louisa loves interacting with visitors and being able to share her knowledge and believes the best thing about our region is the variety of tours on offer.

Talk to me about: Selling your product

Email: info@bundabergregion.org

Zoe is our Holiday Experience Specialist based in Bundaberg Tourism Childers Visitor Information Centre. Zoe was born in Bundaberg and has lived here almost her entire life. She loves that we have so many different options of activities to do from going to the beach to 4WD adventures; there really is something for everyone! Zoe now lives (and works) in Childers and loves the quiet little town which offers plenty to do from museums to national parks with Woodgate beach only 25 minutes away. Zoe says the fertile red soil which surrounds Childers is almost edible; in fact Mammino’s Icecream company, based in Childers, produce a “red dirt jaffa macadamia” which she says is definitely worth trying!

Talk to me about: Selling your product

Email: info@bundabergregion.org

Kim is one of our Holiday Experience Specialists based primarily in Bundaberg Tourism Gin Gin Visitor Information Centre. She gains much enjoyment working in tourism and loves meeting new people from near and far. Kim loves helping people to discover our beautiful Bundaberg North Burnett region and the amazing food bowl of fresh local produce. Kim has lived in the region for 16 years and has a small hobby farm with a range of animals from a cheeky cockatoo named “Jo Jo” to a beautiful big clydesdale named “Dreamis”.

Talk to me about: Selling your product