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Meet Our Team
The organisation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, providing strategic direction to the Chief Executive Officer. The BT Board comprises up to ten Board Directors plus Observer Director positions. Our Board of Directors meet monthly and give of their time on a voluntary basis. Director positions are based on a two-year rotation and fall due at each Annual General Meeting.
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
Kiri is the Agri-Tourism Manager at Macadamias Australia. Kiri arrived in Bundaberg in June 2021 to facilitate the opening of the Steinhardt Family Visitor Experience and The Orchard Table Café.
Kiri previously spent 8 years as General Manager of client relationships at The Bob Wood Group; an inbound tour company that specialises in group and FIT touring, international cruise companies port days and overlands throughout Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Kiri has a passion for food and travel and this has always- been incorporated into other previous roles. Previous roles include owning and running a successful café/catering business on the Gold Coast for 8 years, promoting, facilitating and hosting international women’s tours to exciting destinations and managing 250 tour guides across Australia. Kiri has worked with RTOs across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Kiri has embraced Bundaberg and loves the opportunities it presents with the local farmers, the proximity to the reef and the tourism icons that make Bundaberg such a special place.
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.
Joey is the Owner/Manager of The Windmill Café and The Beach Mill in beautiful Bargara. His love for food began over 20 years ago when he pursued his dream to become a chef, completing his apprenticeship and working his way up the ranks to head chef in Sydney. Joey then completed a hotel management diploma in Hong Kong. After owning two successful restaurants in Australia, Joey secured a position in senior management with Europe's largest restaurant group in the U.K where he was introduced to the financial strategies required to run a large business. Joey and his partner Kirsty relocated back to Australia with their two gorgeous kids in 2016 to be near family. This was when the opportunity arose to take on The Windmill Café Bargara. Joey was excited to be able to incorporate his passion for local farm fresh produce into the business with Bundaberg being a region with such fantastic growing conditions. Joey is passionate about all aspects of tourism, aligning himself with many other local tourism operators and tourism accommodation providers.
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.
As the General Manager of Port Curtis Coral Coast Trust, Daniel helps manage Native Title matters for the First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda People Aboriginal Corporation. From managing the PCCC community assets through to the delivery of educational scholarships and social programs, Daniel enjoys the diverse role and community focus.
Cultural Tourism is an excellent avenue for PCCC to help achieve many of the economic development aspirations of the community. With the rich history and strong connection to country across the region, the PCCC has a proud story to share with visitors to our region.
Warrick is the CEO of Inn Style Mensland, holds a Masters Degree in Business Systems and is a CPA.
With over 25 years of success as part of multinational executive teams, including 5 years managing sourcing and distribution for international conglomerates in China, and then the last 20 years primarily working in a CFO capacity in FMCG companies, Warrick brings 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 28 years and two delightful children, Warrick has said, without a doubt, that living in Bundaberg with its climate and culture beats Melbourne every day of the week!
Email: katherine.reid@bundabergregion.org
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: ellie.tonkin@bundabergregion.org
Talk to me about: Our destination marketing campaigns, PR and media opportunities, Bundaberg and Southern Great Barrier Reef branding, market research and regional statistics
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 nearly 15 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.
Email: jon.mcpherson@bundabergregion.org
Talk to me about: Our destination website, SEO, digital marketing and graphic design
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.
Email: connie.rixon@bundabergregion.org
Talk to me about: Destination culinary campaign and digital marketing
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: grace.boothman@bundabergregion.org
Talk to me about: Destination summer campaign, social media, event marketing and corporate communications
Grace has experience in marketing within the hospitality and events industry, executing direct marketing campaigns, digital marketing strategies and promotions. A dedicated and honest marketing professional, Grace is driven by community and the opportunity to make a difference. Having recently made the move from the Sunshine Coast, she is seeing our beautiful Bundaberg Region through fresh eyes.
Grace brings to the table her passion for adventure and the ever-evolving world of Destination Marketing. This sense of adventure means that on her days off, you’ll often find her camping, 4WDing and exploring our regions beaches and national parks.
Email: loni.hammond@bundabergregion.org
Talk to me about: Trade development opportunities, experience development and sustainability
Loni Hammond moved from Melbourne to Bundaberg with her family in 2003. The safety of our community is what Loni likes the most about the move as her 2 boys have been lucky enough to grow up here, swimming, fishing, skating and snorkelling. She obtained her Business Marketing Degree (with distinction) back in 2010 and has 17 years’ experience distributing and marketing the Bundaberg Region as a manager of Kellys Beach Resort one of the first trade products for the Bundaberg and Southern Great Barrier Reef Region. She believes the tourism industry is the best industry as it is all about working together to grow the pie rather than competing and fighting over the crumbs.
Email: anna.maslen@bundabergregion.org
With a background in animal care and agriculture, Anna enjoys how tourism within the Bundaberg region can utilise her professional experience. Anna loves to promote the essence of the Southern Great Barrier Reef as well as Bundaberg’s rural outlook and industries.
Email: info@bundabergregion.org
Talk to me about: Promoting and selling your product to visitors in-region
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.
Email: info@bundabergregion.org
Talk to me about: Promoting and selling your product to visitors in-region
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!
Email: info@bundabergregion.org
Talk to me about: Promoting and selling your product to visitors in-region
Alana has previous museum and paeolentology experience coupled with an interest in art and history. Her favourite pastime is experiencing the regions attractions so she can share it first hand with guests to our Visitor Information Centres.
Email: info@bundabergregion.org
Talk to me about: Promoting and selling your product to visitors in-region
As a Taribelang Bunda man, Nigel shares fascinating stories and insights into our region with visitors. His passion for 60,000 years of generational indigenous history makes him a cherished member of Bundaberg Tourism and the regions Visitor Information Centres.
Our Holiday Experience Specialists are supported in the Visitor Information Centres by over 30 enthusiastic and committed volunteer ambassadors.
Current Vacancies
Finance Manager
The Finance Manager role is a part-time position which will see you become a dynamic and integral member of the BT leadership team. The purpose of this role is to assist the CEO in the delivery of the organisation’s financial management and corporate governance responsibilities.
The role is multi-faceted and covers all areas of the organisation, supporting Visitor Services, Marketing, and industry with strategic operational and day to day financial management. The role will suit someone who is highly organised and efficient and values a strong team culture of collaboration, trust, kindness and compassion. You will be comfortable being around an enthusiastic, driven and sometimes loud bunch of creative people who thrive on exceeding in delivering opportunities for the Bundaberg Region.
How to Apply?
Please send a cover letter highlighting why you are the right person for this position, along with your resume by Friday 4 November 2022 to ellie.tonkin@bundabergregion.org.
Administration Officer
The Administration Officer role is a full-time position which will see you become an important member of the BT team. The successful candidate will exercise grace under pressure, thrive in a team environment, be action-orientated and be a problem-solver. They will react with appropriate urgency to situations that require a swift response, and if necessary, will possess the ability to quickly complete complex tasks and projects with little guidance.
This position requires exceptional organisational and prioritisation skills, and the ability to build effective and values based working relationships across Bundaberg Tourism and the broader region. A high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential information and friendly professionalism in dealing with both internal and external stakeholders is critical.
The right person will be articulate, hardworking, with strong attention to detail and excited by embracing new opportunities to support the delivery of Bundaberg Tourisms work. This role will be ever evolving to meet the needs of the CEO, team and organisation in the changing landscape of tourism and destination marketing. It requires someone with the vision and experience to help develop recommendations that contribute to a well-run office, workplace and high-performing team.
How to Apply?
Please send a cover letter highlighting why you are the right person for this position, along with your resume by Friday 4 November 2022 to ellie.tonkin@bundabergregion.org.
