Stuart Lennox

CHAIR
Stuart is the Chair of Destination Southern Tasmania after being re-elected in 2021. His tourism consultancy provides advice to industry and Government agencies. Stuart spent ten years as Director of Visitor Services with Tasmanian PWS. He project managed the development of the 3 Capes Track. This project highlighting the role signature tourism experiences can play in increasing visitation in a sustainable manner. Prior to working for PWS, Stuart worked in various roles in Tourism Tasmania, including Marketing Manager, special interest and niche tourism, and nature based tourism. Stuart brings with him a passion and wealth of experience to guide and support DST.

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

Dr Samantha Fox

GLENORCHY CITY COUNCIL
Dr Samantha Fox is the Director Strategy and Development at Glenorchy City Council. She leads the development of Council strategies and plans, and facilitates a $1.9 billion development pipeline. She also oversees the implementation of Glenorchy’s Economic Development Strategy and Economic Recovery Program. Samantha is passionate about leading communities to help them achieve environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspirations. For two decades, she has worked in State, Commonwealth and local governments. Samantha has qualifications in science, psychology, governance and business

Dean Griggs

DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL
Dean Griggs is the General Manager of Derwent Valley Council, a role he commenced in May 2020. Dean moved to Tasmania following 20 years in local government where he held roles at two local government authorities in Victoria. From 2001–2010, Dean worked at the City of Darebin in Melbourne’s north, managing community services and programs at the executive level. Dean then spent nine years at City of Melbourne managing social investment through to economic development and tourism.

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.

Dr 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. 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.

Damian Mather

FROGMORE CREEK
Damian entered the industry 21 years ago, refining his skills with studies at Drysdale TAFE and UTAS. In 2005, he embarked on a working holiday to the UK; staying 6 years and working at 5-star Firmdale Hotels and managing 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. He was later approached for a BDM role with The Glass House and Brooke St Larder. Damian developed a keen interest in Business Events. A chance meeting in 2017 saw Damian join Frogmore Creek and move into his current BDM role. Damian is the current Chair of the Coal River Valley Tasmania Tourism Association.

Tim Parsons

CURRINGA FARM
Tim is a sixth generation Tasmanian farmer and owner of Curringa Farm, a 750 acre sheep and cropping farm in Hamilton in the Derwent Valley. Tim and his wife Jane have become significant players in the tourism industry, offering hosted accommodation and farm tours which are extremely popular with visitors from South East Asia. In 2016 Curringa added five new luxury cottages and a new visitors reception centre to cope with growing demand. Tim’s 20 years tourism experience sees him contributing to issues at state and regional levels to achieve positive regional outcomes.

Mayor Kelly Spaulding

TASMAN COUNCIL
Kelly has spent 10 years in Local Government, a reflection of his passion for regional communities. Attendance at the Young Farmers Forum and 2002 Young Rural Leaders Program along with active involvement in Rotary and other community organisations have honed Kelly’s leadership skills. Kelly’s diverse range of career experiences include forestry plantation management, live seafood export, and flower farming and floristry. A focus on tourism and hospitality as a small business owner has led to a deeper understanding of what it takes for small business to thrive in regions. Drawing on a multitude of life experiences, Kelly knows that regional tourism can lead the State.

Rachael Trueman

DRIFTWOOD COTTAGES, ESSENTIALLY TAS
Until recently, Rachael was the owner/manager of Driftwood Cottages and is the founder of Essentially Tas, a short stay management organisation for self-contained tourist accommodation in the Huon Valley and Far South. Rachael’s skill set includes accountancy, marketing and administration. She has a strong commitment to both Huon Valley local tourism associations: Far South Tasmania (Treasurer) and the Huon Valley Tourism Network (Chair). She has been a member of the Huon Valley and Kingborough Steering Committee and the Southern Trove Reference Group. She is also the inaugural president of Far South Future, a community advocacy group focused on sustainable development.