Stuart Lennox (Chairman)

Stuart Lennox is the Chair of Destination Southern Tasmania after being nominated to the Board in 2016, and elected in 2017. His tourism consultancy provides advice to industry and Government agencies.  Stuart spent ten years as Director of Visitor Services with the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS), during this time he project managed the development of the Three Capes Track.  The project highlights the role signature tourism experiences can play in increasing visitation to regional communities in a sustainable manner.  Prior to working for PWS, Stuart developed a strong understanding of the needs of the industry whilst working in various roles in Tourism Tasmania, including Marketing Manager, special interest and niche tourism, Manager of Training and Development and nature based tourism.  He has been a regional (Southern Stars) State (TICT) and National awards and site judge.  A strong believer in Tasmania, in tourism in Tasmania and of the critical role regional tourism can play in building stronger communities, Stuart brings with him a passion and wealth of experience to guide and support Destination Southern Tasmania. When he is lucky he gets to ride his long board at his home break, Mays Point.  When the seas are quiet he rides, walks, dives and climbs to some of the most beautiful places on the Earth, all here in Tasmania!

Daniel Aitken (Deputy Chairman)

Museum of Old and New Art (Mona)

Daniel Aitken is the Marketing Manager for the Museum of Old and New Art.

Since 2010, Daniel’s role within Mona has grown to focus on the development and management of the overall marketing and strategic planning for Mona’s tourism and cultural activities. Daniel’s passions centre on tourism, brand development, research/data-driven marketing and creative problem solving.

As a Tasmanian-born marketer, Daniel is passionate about the Tasmanian tourism industry and bringing more people to experience what our state offers. Through his time with Mona, dating back to before it’s opening, he has seen the shape of the tourism industry change dramatically from within Tasmania’s largest draw card and is passionate about helping to build the industry by working together with other operators and leveraging from each other.

Vin Barron

Vincent Barron was Chief Executive of the Tasmanian Convention Bureau, (now Business Events Tasmania) from 1993 until 2008. He was previously Executive Director of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce and State Director of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce for eight years.

In 2011, he initiated and convened a number of industry working groups which had as their objective the creation of a new regional tourism organisation for Southern Tasmania.

This was achieved in 2012 with the establishment of Destination Southern Tasmania (DST). Vin was elected Chairman of the Board, a position he held until standing down in 2017.

He was a founding Director of the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania and served on the Board for five terms.

Vin was a Director of Cricket Tasmania for 15 years until 2016 and his Board responsibilities included membership of the Executive and the Marketing, Cricket and Game Development committees.

Bec Enders

Mayor of the Huon Valley Council

Bec brings to this leadership role her broad experience in private, not-for-profit, Local, State and Commonwealth governments. Education has been the underlying foundation of her career to date. She has completed degrees in Management, Public Sector Management and Planning and Building. Building the capability of communities and the prosperity of businesses through collaboration remains at the centre of her thinking and actions.

Anne Hardy

University of Tasmania

Dr. Anne Hardy is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Tasmania and the Director of the Tourism Research and Education Network (TRENd). She is a specialist in tribal marketing,  the drive tourism and recreational vehicle market and issues related to sustainability. Her research has been conducted both in Australia and overseas, including in Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Anne is particularly interested in collaborative research that forms two way linkages between the university and the broader tourism industry.

Andrew Hennessy

Pennicott Wilderness journeys

Andrew is a passionate Tasmanian who has been involved in southern Tasmania’s tourism industry for 13 years. As General Manager for Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, he is involved in the overall strategic management of the company’s six award-winning products which operate from Bruny Island, the Tasman Peninsula and Hobart. During his time in the industry, he has developed strong connections with tourism operators, industry partners, government and stakeholders.  He also previously operated a web design consultancy working with a variety of tourism clients across southern Tasmania.

Andrew believes it’s important that we work collaboratively to create a strong, sustainable tourism industry and welcomes the opportunity to contribute with his experience and skills in tourism operations, marketing, distribution and stakeholder management as part of the Destination Southern Tasmania Board.

Damian Mather

Frogmore Creek

Damian is passionate about building partnerships to strengthen and enhance the unique visitor experiences Tasmania has to offer. He entered the industry 21 years ago, refining his skills with studies at Drysdale TAFE and University of Tasmania. In 2005, he embarked on a working holiday to the UK; staying 6 years and working at 5-star Firmdale Hotels and managing various restaurants across London.

In 2011, he commenced employment at MONA; working in The Source Restaurant and progressing to Food & Beverage Coordinator for MONA Festivals and Events. After MONA, he worked at RACV RACT Hobart Apartment Hotel, during which he was approached for a Business Development Manager role with The Glass House and Brooke St Larder. Damian soon developed a keen interest in Business Events and began to realise the huge potential of Tasmania in this lucrative segment.

A chance meeting in 2017 saw Damian gain employment with Frogmore Creek and move into his current BDM role. Damian is excited about the future of Tourism in Tasmania and the new opportunities continued growth will offer all Tasmanians.

Tim Parsons

Curringa Farm

Tim Parsons is a sixth generation Tasmanian farmer and owner of Curringa Farm – a beautiful 750 acre sheep and cropping farm at Hamilton in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley.

In recent years Tim and his wife Jane have become significant players in the Tasmanian tourism industry, offering hosted accommodation and farm tours which are extremely popular with visitors from South East Asia, partly as a result of Tim’s extensive travels to Asia over the past eight years. In 2016, Curringa has added five new luxury cottages and a new visitors reception centre is underway to cope with the growing demand.

Tim is passionate about tourism in Tasmania and his 20 years of experience in the industry enables him to contribute to issues at state and regional  levels to provide outcomes for local communities.

Lisa Punshon

Drysdale TasTAFE

Having held a number of government and private industry roles in and around the tourism, hospitality and events sector over her career, Lisa had a key role in establishing the work of Tourism and Hospitality Supply Unit within the Department of State Growth.  This unit works closely with industry peaks and the Regional Tourism Organisations to facilitate the establishment of priorities for future industry development including through the Tasmanian Journeys project, the Tasmanian Visitor Engagement Strategy and a strategic review of workforce development for the industry.  Pursuing this project led Lisa to take up an interim role at Drysdale, appointed as General Manager Drysdale, the tourism and hospitality training division of TasTAFE, in mid-2019.

Lisa is passionate about working with tourism and hospitality businesses and with government to help all Tasmanians aspiring to be a part of our world class industry, develop the talent and skills we need for growth.

Tim Short

STCA Representative (City of Hobart)

Tim is the Associate Director City Economy, Tourism, and Events with the City of Hobart. He has been with the City of Hobart for 17 years, building up a unique understanding of how the City operates. He currently has responsibility for the areas of Economic Development, International Relations, Salamanca Market, the Taste of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre. Tim started his professional career as a lawyer in Hobart before moving to the West Coast of Tasmania to work for a community organisation focussed on small business start-up and economic development. It was here that Tim first developed an understanding of Tourism and its importance to communities and the State as a whole. During his time at Council, Tim has been continuously involved in economic development initiatives, overseen the transition of the Tasmanian Travel and Information Centre into Council’s operation, managed the office of the Lord Mayor, led the creation of the new community vision for Hobart and continues to have an active role in the City’s Tourism strategies.

Tim is a former director of the Australian Cruise Association, as well as a past Director and past President of the Rotary Club of Hobart.

Ken Stronach

Tahune Adventures

Ken brings a wealth of experience to the DST board, having been in the tourism industry for more than 35 years. Ken has a strong history in hotel management having owned, developed operated and managed a huge variety of hotels both in Tasmania and mainland Australia. Ken maintains private interests in hotels around Tasmania. Ken is currently the manager of the Forestry Tasmania enterprise Tahune Forest Airwalk.