Destination Southern Tasmania Board Members
Dr Anne Hardy
CHAIR
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.
Daniel Aitken
DEPUTY CHAIR
Daniel is the Senior Marketing Manager for MONA. As a Tasmanian-born marketer, Daniel is passionate about the continued growth and management of Tasmanian tourism. Through his time with Mona, dating back to before its opening, he has seen the shape of the tourism industry change dramatically from within one of the state’s largest attractions. Daniel’s role at Mona now focuses on the development and management of the marketing and strategic planning for Mona’s tourism and cultural activities. Daniel’s passions centre on arts and events tourism and brand development
Jennifer Bett
PORT ARTHUR HISTORIC SITE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
Having first arrived as an international student over 20 years ago, Jennifer has had a wide range of experience in Tasmania’s tourism industry from hospitality to adventure tours, interpretive guiding, wildlife park operations, sales and marketing, experience development and special events. In her nine years with Tourism Tasmania, she worked directly with trade and media partners; provided strategic marketing advice to the international consortiums, state-wide organisations and government partners. She re-joined Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority in 2016 as the Marketing and Communications Manager for Port Arthur, Cascades Female Factory and Coal Mines World Heritage Sites.
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. He has developed strong connections with tourism operators, industry partners, government and stakeholders. He previously operated a web design consultancy working with tourism clients. Andrew believes it’s important that we work collaboratively to create a strong and sustainable tourism industry.
Alice van der Woude
ON BOARD
Alice is a Tasmanian-born marketer and tourism operator with diverse experience working within the Tasmanian tourism industry, including many years as an operator running a small-medium brand-aligned tourism business, three years in the marketing team at Tourism Tasmania, and as a member of the Women in Tourism & Hospitality Committee. Alice currently works as Director, Marketing & Experience at On Board and is leading the launch and design of their bespoke and immersive wilderness experience. Alice has had advisory and management roles in this family business since its launch in 2016. Alice worked at Tourism Tasmania, responsible for managing and implementing marketing programs. Prior to this, Alice was an account manager for a Sydney-based advertising agency and marketing consultant. She has a Business/Law degree from UTAS.
Scott Christie-Johnston
OLD WOOLSTORE APARTMENT HOTEL
HADLEY'S ORIENT HOTEL
Scott is currently the Group Manager - Sales & Marketing for The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel and Hadley’s Orient Hotel and has been an active collaborator in the Tasmanian tourism scene for almost 20 years. During this time Scott has travelled with work domestically and internationally, including as part of trade activities with Tourism Tasmania and Business Events Tasmania. As a founding member of the Tasmanian chapter of the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) he has regularly represented Tasmania at Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) and ATEC Meeting Place. Tasmanian born, he has a strong sense of connection to community and within his role looks after a portfolio of partnerships and community support programs.
Melita Hickling
TAHUNE ADVENTURES
Melita’s background is business development, sales and marketing, brand management, experience development and bespoke event management in the tourism industry.
A passionate Tasmanian, Melita returned to the island in 2006 to engage with Federal Groups luxury properties, The Henry Jones Art Hotel, Saffire Freycinet and Macq 01 Hotel in Business Development and Marketing roles to help drive extraordinary experiences with a genuine connection to Tasmanian history, contemporary art, and storytelling.
Melita joined Tahune Adventures in 2018 and understands the significance of creatively collaborating with the wider tourism industry, and government stakeholders to achieve uniquely Tasmanian outcomes to thrive in regional tourism.
cally lyons
RATHMORE
Curiosity, passion, positivity and resilience shaped Cally’s business ventures, from travel consultancy, corporate catering, events, international accommodation and now Rathmore.
Cally settled in the Central Highlands after living in QLD. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors with Graduate Diplomas in Finance & Investment, Financial Planning & Technical Analysis. She has worked in communications, equities, financial planning, philanthropic investing and property development.
Cally understands and values small business and community networks.
A visionary entrepreneur, Cally is fascinated with people, history and nature. She advocates strongly for a focus on Tasmania’s heritage and environment in rebuilding visitation, supporting vital regional diversity and energising our tourism industry.
Edwina Morris
TOURISM TASMANIA
Edwina has an executive leadership role at Tourism Tasmania as Director of the Office of the CEO. She leads the agency’s corporate strategy, board services, strategic communications, government relations and advice.
Her career began in the tourism industry, capturing 'old-time' tourist photographs in Richmond, Tasmania, then gaining international experience working and living in Europe, Asia, and USA. Returning home she moved into the arts and cultural sectors, producing film festivals, developing cultural tourism marketing platforms and strategies and a six-year tenure as State Manager of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. Her passion for travel and human connection is perfectly aligned to the tourism and hospitality sector and the rich opportunities it delivers for the community and our visitors.
Mayor Brendan Blomeley
CLARENCE CITY COUNCIL
Brendan is the Mayor of the City of Clarence and CEO of the Tasmanian Racing Club. He also serves as Chairman of national suicide prevention charity, Parents Beyond Breakup, as Vice President of the South-East Region Development Association, as a Director of Cancer Council Tasmania and as a Non-Executive Director of the Institute of Managers and Leaders Australian New Zealand (IML ANZ). Brendan holds an MBA and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and is a Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and IML ANZ.
Mayor Michelle Dracoulis
DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL
Michelle Dracoulis is the current mayor of the Derwent Valley, elected in early 2022, and is the first female mayor in her region. Michelle’s history includes event design, management and promotion, and the curation of social media. With a background in professional and fine-art photography, Michelle is currently studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Tasmania. She was the Gallery Coordinator and Head Curator for The Barracks gallery in New Norfolk from 2020 until 2022, and still guest curates for various exhibitions that focus on social equity and inclusion. Most recently Michelle co-curated ‘Artfully Queer’ 2023 at the Long Gallery, Salamanca. With a strong focus on inclusion and the promotion of pride in identity and place, Michelle brings an earthy joy and an eye for grass-root impact to the board of DST.
Mayor Sally Doyle
HUON VALLEY COUNCIL
Mayor Sally Doyle
