AGM 2008
Over the coming days you will receive in the post your voting pack which includes all the forms for nominating members to the management committee of the Outback Queensland Tourism Association Inc.
You will find the following in this package:
- Nominee profiles for each perspective board member
- Voting instructions
- Ballot papers
- Reply paid envelopes
- Call for motions from members for the AGM
I ask you to consider carefully your vote and your reasons for doing so when filling in your voting paper for Management Committee members for this coming year. The Tourism industry is currently in a state of crisis, airline capacity and operating constraints are reducing the overall market share for Queensland, rising fuel cost are impacting on the dispersal of tourist West away from the major drive routes, then there is the global finical crisis that is deleting our key drive markets superannuation funds and their ability to sustain long distance travel.
All of these things can be overcome; however there needs to be a team of people that are working together towards a common goal to ensure that we are able to continue on with the great success that we have seen in the last couple of years with tourism numbers in the Outback.
OQTA requires a skills based board. The Management Committee members should be individuals that can think strategically; work regionally and effectively with the management of OQTA and you the members.
You are electing Management Committee to your region; they are your voice and there to listen to the issues that are affecting you the members and the regions industry. They are there to share information with you about what OQTA are doing and ensure that your issues are addressed by the staff and management of OQTA. See below information on your nominees for the 2008 Outback Queensland Tourism Management Committee.
If you have any questions regarding the voting process please contact Bill Tatchell on 07-3236 4996 or 0427 773 206 or email bill.tatchell@outbackqld.com.au
Votes must be received no later than last post Birdsville on Thursday 30 October. Please ensure that you have posted them in plenty of time to make sure that your vote counts.
Kind regards
Rob Ievers
Chairman OQTA Board
CALL FOR MOTIONS
At the Annual General Meeting of the Outback Queensland Tourism Association Inc., any financial member has the opportunity to put forward motions to be voted upon. Such motions can include: proposed changes to the constitution and fees and charges applied.
Motions need to be in writing and in order to include these motions at the AGM, they MUST be received by the General Manager by COB Monday, 20 October 2008.
A full list of the Motions will be forwarded to Members on Tuesday, 21 October 2008 via email and post.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the OQTA’s General Manager, Bill Tatchell on bill.tatchell@outbackqld.com.auor phone: 07 3236 4996 or 0427 773 206
Motions should be faxed or emailed to:
Bill Tatchell
General Manager
OQTA
Fax: 07 3236 4640
Email: bill.tatchell@outbackqld.com.au
SOUTH WEST NOMINEES
|
|
Graham Reid
Travel West
I would like to nominate to represent the South West Region for the Management Committee of the Outback Queensland Tourism Association Inc.
I have been actively involved in the tourism industry for more than 19 years including operating tours in Europe, Northern Africa, Scandinavia, the Eastern Block and Central Australia.
I established Travel West in Cunnamulla opening on 1 October 1997. Travel West has evolved as a recognized and professional provider of personalised small group tours and 4 Wheel Drive tours to towns throughout South West & Central Queensland.
My wife, Deb and I live in Charleville on 62 acres just out of town, and tour to most towns in South West Qld on a regular basis and are in touch with the issues and concerns of the industry members.
The Outback Queensland Tourism Authority is a member based organization and I believe board members of the Outback Queensland Tourism Authority need to be easily contactable by members.
If elected I will make time to be available to members as a sounding board, offer my industry experience/advice and take any concerns and issues to the Outback Queensland Tourism Authority on your behalf.
Deb and I are involved in several different sectors of the industry and are continuing to develop and expand our tourism operations based in Charleville.
With the planned new reforms and a new direction for tourism in Queensland we look forward to a bright future, this is an exciting time to be involved in the tourism industry.
Thank you for voting for me as one of your South West Outback Queensland Tourism Authority Board Members.
|
|
|
Carmel Meurant
Nardoo Tourist Retreat
Councillor - Paroo Shire Council
Carmel Meurant has spent her whole life in South West Queensland. She is a Councillor on the Paroo Shire and a representative for Tourism on SWRED and RPAC and is passionate about the Outback and its people and further developing awareness of this great area.
Eight years ago, after realising the potential of Tourism in the Outback, she developed "Nardoo Station Stay", 38km north of Cunnamulla which has been a successful and rewarding venture. Also in 2008 she organised the inaugural "Music in the Mulga" country music festival held at Nardoo.
Carmel is dedicated to further developing the tourism industry within the Outback. |
|
|
Brian Mooney
Tourism Development Officer
Diamatina Shire Council
Brian Mooney is an enthusiastic manager in tourism and development with a broad knowledge of the Australian and International markets with over 30 years in tourism development, marketing, operations and management.
Key Expertise and Experience
- Five years experience in inbound tourism, leading marketing delegations to USA, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, UK, Taiwan, New Zealand, throughout Asia and the Pacific.
- 25 years experience in the Australian inbound, domestic and wholesale Outback market including Outback Queensland.
- Extensive experience in media, company management and directorship, risk management, operations and corporate governess.
- Extensive experience in tour development through research and hands-on knowledge of the Outback.
- Highly skilled at analysing and identifying selective markets and penetrating that market with appropriate marketing strategy.
- Experienced in identifying and analysing tourism development infrastructure.
Highly skilled at networking, communicating and negotiating. |
CENTRAL WEST NOMINEES
|
|
Michelle McFayden
CEO
Longreach Regional Council
Michelle has held the position of Chairperson of the Central West Outback Queensland Tourism Association for the past two years and is passionate about tourism in the Outback. As a member of the OQTA Board Michelle commits to supporting the sub regional groups and being an involved and enthusiastic board member for the entire Outback region. Michelle is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Longreach Regional Council, a newly formed council amalgamated from the three shire councils of Ilfracombe, Longreach and Isisford. Before amalgamations, Michelle was the CEO of Ilfracombe Shire Council and also did a two and a half year term as CEO of the Boulia Shire Council in far central western Queensland. |
|
|
Rob Chandler
Ironbark Inn
Mayor Barcaldine Regional Council
I have been a Councillor with the former Barcaldine Shire Council for 8 years with 4 of those as Mayor. As a result of the amalgamations across the state, Barcaldine has merged with Aramac, Muttaburra, Alpha and Jericho to form the Barcaldine Regional Council. I was fortunate to have been elected Mayor of the new Regional Council in March this year.
As a board member of the OQTA for the past 8 years I have had a wonderful opportunity to promote tourism right across the greater Outback Queensland. I would welcome the chance to extend my term as board member of OQTA, especially during these uncertain times as the Tourism Network Review takes shape. There will be good strong positive prospects for the Outback that will develop from this review. The Members of the OQTA will need strong leadership from their Board to ensure OQTA positions itself as a true partner with the Queensland Government, tourism Queensland and all other stakeholders.
|
NORTH WEST NOMINEES
|
|
Margie Ryder
Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival
As you may be aware it is election time for the OQTA Board management committee., and I am personally writing to you in the hope that you will once again elect me to represent the OUTBACK as a region in the upcoming elections. Voting for the 2008 will be via Ballot only so it is really important that you make sure you fill in your forms and send them back before the close off date.
Background:
Having lived in Julia Creek for 15 years, laid the foundations of why my passion for the Outback is still so strong, and I am privileged to still be the event coordinator for the Julia Creek Dirt & Dust Festival , which as most of you know is something I love and very dear to my hear. Although the travel for this is sometimes a challenge the journey and meeting up with people in the Outback is always the reward.
Whilst living in Julia Creek I was given the opportunity to serve as a Councillor on the McKinlay Shire for over 10 years. During this time I gained knowledge in the preparation it takes to submit various grant applications, work with grassroots people and dealings with all levels of government.
My work ethic is very strong, I believe if you work hard together you can achieve anything. I simply don’t like lazy people or people who can’t take their blinkers off to look outside the square. We have "product" in the outback that is priceless and I believe we can work harder as a region and collectively produce to the world some outstanding OUTBACK PACKAGES., and the timing for this is now, specially with the release of the new movie AUSTRALIA. My personal thoughts as to why Queensland’s Outback stands out from the rest is THE PEOPLE.
During my time on the board I have made some wonderful friends & colleges. In addition I have cemented relationships with various government departments and corporate organisations that would not have been possible without being an OQTA board member, the opportunities that come with being a OQTA Board member can never be valued and the satisfaction of working with people in the Outback is so breathtaking and gratifying. So if I don’t get re-elected again - thanks so much for your faith in me to represent you so far.
In conjunction with the Dirt & Dust for the past 4 years I have been trying to get the " Pit Stop To The Creek" off the ground and we are starting to see the progress. The original idea was to attract people to Julia Creek, but as always promote the "stopovers" along the way, in the hope that this will entice people to return to the region for a visit or extend their stay in the Outback. I am continuing with the " regional" packages and hopefully you will all see something involve for the OUTBACK region in the coming months.
I have learnt over the years to listen to other peoples idea’s and suggestions, respect everyone’s opinions and if someone is totally against you in a meeting or there is major conflict in a board room that it’s alright to walk out of the meeting and still have a beer with your mate or college .., have your say, respect other opinions and move on.
With the changes in government Queensland’s OUTBACK is at the most exciting time ever with Tourism and having me elected will ensure the OUTBACK is on all occasions is of the upmost importance.
I am blessed with 2 wonderful boys and a husband who fills my life with laughter and they too have given me their support to once again put my hand up for the position in the North -West Sub region. Remembering this is only the position available, and I will as always have the WHOLE OUTBACK in mind.
Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions or comments that you would like taken to the meetings.
|
|
|
Jan Bimrose
Chairman
Outback At Isa
As Outback at Isa Board Chairman since 2003, I have demonstrated my ability to exercise sound business judgment and have guided that tourism business through its first years of operation, working with Board and Management to grow the business and tackle challenges facing an Outback operator. Although conscious of living outside the region, I spend the majority of my working time in regional Queensland, in my Outback at Isa role or in my tourism and event consulting work.
Not only do I bring an in-depth knowledge of the tourism industry, but also well-developed skills in strategic planning; business, regional and economic development; tourism planning and development; and project facilitation, which were fine-tuned during my 31 years in planning and development roles within Queensland Government Departments such as Premier’s and State Development.
If elected, I commit to attending all Board meetings, being available for all Committee meetings, to actively contribute to the advancement of regional tourism, and to assist OQTA in strategic pursuit of opportunities and tourism growth. |
|
|
Rob Katter
Councillor
Mount Isa City Council
For the last 9 years I have been working as a Certified Practising Property Valuer throughout the North-West region, more recently I have been elected as a councillor to the Mount Isa City Council where I have been given the opportunity to manage the Tourism Portfolio.
Tourism is an increasingly essential industry for the whole of the Outback, there are challenging times ahead for the whole of Australia’s tourism industry and so too at a regional and local level. I believe that the future growth and success of tourism lies in working together as a region and as a whole.
Individually it is hard to succeed, not impossible, but if we take a regional approach and represent the interests of all then we can reach farther, grow faster and be more marketable and attractive to the consumer.
Besides having a strong interest in the colourful history of the North West and the overall tourism industry, I have a long personal attachment to the region with strong family connections to the area. Apart from these personal attributes, I would bring with me to the Board of OQTA skills sets which are essential in the setting of strategic development for any industry, some of these being:
-
Budgeting and asset costing/management
-
Exposure and understanding of the extensive range of local and regional issues
-
A broad understanding of the political spectrum and existing relationships in this field
-
Grant submission development and writing
Whilst I am a new face to the members of the OQTA, I am committed to developing tourism across the whole of the Outback and I would like the opportunity to work with the management of OQTA to further grow your business and the overall tourism industry in Queensland’s outback.
|
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVE
|
|
Tony Edwards
Sales and Marketing Manager
Qantaslink
RESULT DECLARED
ELECTED UNOPPOSED |
