Media release December 8, 2014 - for immediate release
New Leadership for Destination Gippsland
Steven Hibbard has been elected the new Chairman of Destination Gippsland, the region’s peak tourism organisation. He was unanimously appointed by his fellow Board Directors and representatives from the Gippsland Local Government Network and Tourism Victoria. He succeeds Sheila O’Sullivan who has retired from the Board after leading the organisation for the past six years.
Mr Hibbard has been a Director of Destination Gippsland since its inception in 2008. He is currently a Chair for The Executive Connection which is a professional development network for CEO’s. He is a former Chief Executive of Lonely Planet and has been a Non-Executive Director for Parks Victoria. He also has an MBA from the University of Melbourne.
“I am honoured to lead Destination Gippsland and excited to be working with such a vibrant and important industry. Tourism in Gippsland is a major economic driver for our communities. Sheila has done a fantastic job during her time as Chair and I look forward to building on the contribution Destination Gippsland can make to our tourism industry”, said Mr Hibbard.
At the recent Annual General Meeting which was held in Leongatha, two new Board Directors were appointed: Paul Ashton and Cameron Johns. Paul Ashton lives at Berrys Creek in South Gippsland and is a former General Manager of Central Australia Tourism and South Tasmania Regional Tourism. He currently runs two small consultancy businesses (Running Wild – running events in regional Australia; and Philanthropy Plus – providing advice to not-for-profits).
Cameron Johns is the Owner of Riviera Nautic Boating Holidays in Metung in East Gippsland. His business recently won their third Victorian Tourism Award and have entered the Hall of Fame. Cameron is also a member of the Metung Business Tourism Association and on the committee of the Metung Yacht Club.
The Destination Gippsland Board consists of Steve Hibbard (Chairman), Richard Longmore, Caillin Flint, Trent Fairweather, Prof Therese Joiner, Paul Ashton, Cameron Johns, Tim Tamlin (GLGN), Dorana Wirne (Tourism Victoria) and Andrew Marshall (Parks Victoria).
Tourism in Gippsland is everyone’s business. It generates $1.8 billion in direct economic benefits, supports over 3,000 small businesses and employs 15,000 people across Gippsland.
*Photo attached of Steve Hibbard
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Phone: 0428 595 634
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Media Contact: Steve Hibbard – Chairman – Destination Gippsland
Phone 0412 380 423
Email:
Destination Gippsland | PO BOX 203, Mirboo North, 3971 | 03 5668 2141 | destinationgippsland.com.au |@VisitGippsland