Mentors

Derek Shepherd - Director, Arbold Consulting & Chair Mentor Panel

Derek Shepherd is a sales and marketing professional with an extensive background in the aviation, hospitality and tourism industries.

He has been employed in the airline, tourism and hospitality industries for over 40 years, with the past 25 years at senior/executive management level with a number of high profile international companies including Ansett International (General Manager International Sales; Regional Marketing Manager Asia & Japan), Ansett Australia (Director of International Sales), Hayman Island Resort (Director of Sales & Marketing), QANTAS (Regional Cargo Director U.K./Europe; State General Manager South Australia and Passenger Sales & Marketing Manager U.K./Ireland)

He has been based, at various times, in the U.K., Hong Kong, and Australia with responsibilities covering all major international markets.

He is a founding member and Deputy Chair of Tourism Macedon Ranges Inc., a past Chair of Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges Tourism Inc., and a member of the Hanging Rock Development Advisory Committee.

He has been a member of Tourism Australia’s Industry Advisory Panels for Asia, Japan, U.K./Europe, The Americas and New Zealand, a member of the Australian Tourism Export Council and a past Chairman of the Adelaide Convention & Tourism Authority.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Sales & Marketing Management (U.K), a Fellow of the Institute of Travel & Tourism (U.K) and is currently a Director of Arbold Consulting, a tourism and hospitality advisory business.

Derek was a Victorian Tourism Awards judge for three years prior to becoming a member of the Mentor Panel three years ago.

Tom Smith - Regional Tourism Advisor, Tourism Victoria

Tom Smith is currently Regional Tourism Advisor for Tourism Victoria. Tom was previously on the Board of Tourism Alliance Victoria, which was formed in mid 2004 from a merger of the Country Victoria Tourism Council (CVTC) and the Victorian Tourism Operators Association. Mr Smith was formerly Chairman of the CVTC.

Mr Smith was previously on the Tourism Victoria Board from 1995 through to early 2008. Mr Smith is a member of Tourism Victoria ’s Human Resources Committee.

Bill Callan - Divisional Manager Corporate Risks, Jardine Lloyd Thompson P/L

Bill Callan is currently the Divisional Manager of the Corporate Risks Division with Jardine Lloyd Thompson’s Victorian operation, the third largest insurance broker in Australia and one of the largest globally.

Bill has worked in the Insurance industry for 27 years both in National and international organizations. This included a secondment to London, broking international business into Lloyds and the London insurance market.

Prior to Bill joining Jardine Lloyd Thompson last year and has been heavily involved in the Tourism sector, from an insurance perspective, through his involvement with Tourism Alliance Victoria (and previously VTOA). Over this time Bill had seen the effects Insurance had had on the viability of the Tourism industry and has provided briefings to industry and Government on how they should adapt to the changing insurance market and the importance of best practice. In conjunction with Industry he was also involved in providing insurers with assistance and advice in support of their case to Government for Tort reform.

In 2002 the Victorian Government provided a “rescue plan” to Adventure Tourism operators who were having difficulty in either obtaining insurance or obtaining insurance at a viable cost. Bill had a significant involvement in the negotiations of this arrangement as well as the administration. Bill is a previous judge of the Victorian Tourism Awards.

Wendy Jones - CEO, Butt Littering Trust

Wendy joined the Butt Littering Trust as its Executive Director in December 2008 after nearly two years as the Chief Executive Office of Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria.

After spending nearly ten years in Darwin during the 1990’s, Wendy returned to Victoria to run her own country hotel in regional Victoria. From there she moved to Restaurant & Catering Victoria, the peak industry body for restaurants, cafes and caterers as their Chief Executive Officer, a position she held for over five years.

During her time in the Northern Territory, as Executive Director of Tourism Training NT, Wendy was involved in many facets of the tourism and hospitality industry. She was also involved at a strategic level, and as a participant, in the tourism awards in the Northern Territory. She guided Tourism Training NT to take out two consecutive Brolga Awards in the Training & Education category.

A background in human resource management complements her tourism and hospitality background and she has a special passion for what makes the people side of the industry tick. This passion has now been joined by sustainability and the environment, an interest largely nurtured through her recent roles with Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria, the Trust and the ongoing joy of being able to call regional Victoria home.

After completing three years as a judge of the Victorian tourism awards, Wendy was invited to join the Mentoring Panel. This is now her third year in the role that she considers to be both an ‘enormous responsibility and privilege’.

Julie Busch - General Manager, Prahran Market

Julie has a wealth of experience in retail property, development and leasing, management and marketing. Before her move to focus on development of food retail as General Manager of Prahran Market, Julie worked on development of Melbourne Central and for Coles Myer in a national role. She was a member of the Melbourne Central retail team who were recipients of a number of Tourism Awards. Julie holds tertiary qualifications in Arts, Journalism and Psychology together with Property and Shopping Centre Management. She is the past chair of retail committee for Property Council of Victoria and actively involved in many industry and community groups.

After completing three years as a judge of the Victorian Tourism Awards, Julie was invited to join the Mentoring Panel. This is now her second year in the role and she is delighted to do so as she appreciates the value and importance of the Tourism Awards.

Michelle Campbell - Director, Minc Communications

Michelle Campbell has had a strong association with the Victorian Tourism Awards for over seven years.

Michelle was responsible for submissions for The Mansion Hotel that resulted in the three successive wins and a Hall of Fame award, and she has spent three years as a judge and one year as a mentor.

Michelle established her own marketing communications company, Minc, in February 2004 and specialises in PR, advertising, events, direct marketing and promotional solutions for premium lifestyle brands. Her major clients include Sofitel Werribee Park Mansion Hotel & Spa, Shadowfax Winery, Rockpool Restaurants, Comme, the Victorian Tapestry Workshop and the Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award.

Prior to Minc, Michelle worked in senior marketing roles for Georges, Sportsgirl Sportscraft Group, Coles Myer and Grand Hyatt Melbourne.

Throughout her career, Michelle has achieved exceptional results in all areas of marketing communications, working with very small budgets, and her individual efforts have been paramount in the successes of the businesses she has represented.

Sara Jones - General Manager, Australian Aboriginal Management Solutions

Sara Jones has over 18 years experience in marketing, communications, media, promotions, public relations and business development. Most of her roles have been with non-profit organisations so she understands the difficulties of working with limited staffing and financial resources.

In her past position as the Marketing & Development Manager with the Koorie Heritage Trust, Sara gained extensive experience in writing and entering winning awards submissions, including:

• 2004 Victorian Tourism Award Minister’s Encouragement Award
• 2005 Victorian Tourism Award in the category of Indigenous Tourism
• 2006 Victorian Tourism Award in the category of Indigenous Tourism
• 2007 Victorian Tourism Award in the category of Indigenous Tourism (Hall of Fame)
• 2007 Australian Tourism Awards (Highly Commended)
• 2005 Reconciliation Australia’s BHP Billiton Inaugural National Award for Indigenous Governance
• 2006 Gnunkai National Indigenous Tourism Award for best tourist organisation

Sara is currently a Board Member of the Backpacker Operators Association of Victoria (BOAV) and was also a Board Member of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association (HSMA) until recently. Sara was a judge of the 2007 HMAA Awards (Hotel Motel & Accommodation Association) and the 2007 Melbourne Airport Developing Tourism Leaders Awards.

Sara is now keeping busy in her exciting new role as General Manager of both Australian Aboriginal Management Solutions (AAMS) and Black Olive Productions. AAMS is a unique consultancy offering business solutions for Aboriginal and non-Indigenous businesses in tourism, marketing, business development, cultural interpretation, Traditional Owner cultural liaison and policy review. Black Olive Productions features the culinary talents of Australia’s most acclaimed Aboriginal chef and television presenter Mark “The Black” Olive and offers unique Indigenous catering, a product range of Indigenous herbs and spices and appearances by Mark at tourism events, chef’s tables and launches.

Carine Bourcier - Sales & Marketing Manager, Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley

Carine has over 15 years experience in marketing, business development, promotions, public relations and training in the Events, Tourism and Travel Industry in Australia and abroad. Her career history spans from international tour companies to Australian Inbound tourism to Business and Sports Event marketing and business development to Hotel sales and marketing.

Carine is currently Sales and Marketing Manager for the Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley. Previous positions included Manager, Aquisitions and Development for the prestigious Victorian Major Events Company and Business Events Manager for almost six years at the multi award winning Regional Tourism Association of Geelong Otway Tourism.

In her past position as the Business Events Manager with Geelong Otway Tourism, besides developing a leading Business Events Unit for the region, Carine gained extensive experience in writing and entering winning awards submissions, including:

• 2004 Victorian Tourism Award for Meetings and Business Tourism
• 2004 Australian Tourism Award for Meetings and Business Tourism
• 2006 Victorian Tourism Award for Meetings and Business Tourism
• 2006 Australian Tourism Awards for Meetings and Business Tourism
• 2007 Victorian Tourism Award for Meetings and Business Tourism
• 2007 Australian Tourism Awards for Meetings and Business Tourism

Carine is an active and enthusiastic member of the Victorian Tourism and Events industry, is a board member on a number of industry committees and believes strongly in working co-operatively for the benefit of the entire industry.

Professor Brian King - Director of the Making Victoria University Program, Victoria University

Brian has been Director of the Making VU Program within the Division of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Institutional Services) at Victoria University since April 2007. Making VU is a major strategic repositioning leading to the University’s centenary year in 2016. Brian was previously Head of the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Marketing (from 1998 to 2007). He is a Visiting Professor at AILUN University in Sardinia, Italy.

Brian has extensive tourism management experience and maintains his industry involvements at board level (Western Melbourne Tourism) and was a judge in the Australian Tourism Awards (2006-7). He has consulted to international development agencies in the areas of tourism marketing and human resource development.

He has authored several books including Creating Island Resorts, Tourism Marketing in Australia and Asia-Pacific Tourism. Regional Planning, Co-operation and Development. He is currently Chair of the International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE). He co-ordinated ABC Radio’s Tourism in the Asia-Pacific Region series.

Brian is Founding and Current Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Tourism, Culture and Communication and is an elected fellow of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism.

Brian is a previous judge of the Victorian Tourism Awards.

Barbara Moss - Festival Director, Queenscliff Music Festival

Festival Director of the award-winning Queenscliff Music Festival, Barbara is passionate about the tourism industry's ability to provide the economic and cultural infrastructure essential for Victoria's development.

Celebrating its 13th year in 2009, the Festival is one of Tourism Victoria's few Regional Hallmark Events. It won Most Significant Festival and Event at the national level and is a Tourism Victoria Hall of Fame inductee. Barbara wrote all the submissions for these awards and drove the research that has underpinned the Festival’s business development. She has tertiary level qualifications in Business Administration and is proactive at the local level, including being a member of the Borough of Queenscliffe’s Business and Tourism Portfolio Reference Group.

Barbara is a previous judge of the Victorian Tourism Awards.

Paul Matthews - Head of Marketing, Yarra Trams

Paul has been involved with the tourism and transport sectors for more than 17 years.

He has been a past entrant with the world famous City Circle Tram taking out a major Victorian Tourism Award in 1997 in the General Tourism category and again as a finalist in 1998.

Paul has been with Yarra Trams since 1997 as head of the Marketing department responsible for developing and growing the tram business. Prior to this, Paul held management roles in a travel agency and the interstate coach sector.

By liaising with local government and various tourist attractions he helps to ensure that venues are cross marketed and well serviced by public transport. Paul also works closely with the organisers of all major events staged in Melbourne.

In 2004, Paul was appointed to the Metlink Board. Metlink is owned by Yarra Trams and Connex, the private operators of Melbourne's train and tram network. Its other key stakeholders include V/Line Passenger, Bus Association Victoria and the State Government of Victoria. Metlink provides improved network-wide customer information about services, tickets and fares.

Paul is a retired judge of the Victorian Tourism Awards and a current National Judge for the Australian Tourism Awards.

Narelle Allen -  Client Services Manager, GenR8 Business and Marketing

Narelle brings an eclectic mix of experience with almost 20 years experience in the advertising and marketing sector, working on both sides of the marketing and advertising fence.

She has helped to promote products and services such as Qantas, Telstra and the ANZ, and in the past five years made Warrnambool’s own Fun4Kids Festival one of Australia’s most applauded children’s events: all this in addition to having run her own successful small businesses locally.

Narelle’s marketing career began under the wing of industry legend John Singleton. From here she joined the Jaffa Picture company – the TV production team behind the legendary Coca Cola commercials of the 1980s – before taking on roles for the Greetings Hotel Group, Manchester Unity and Sydney-based ad agencies The Campaign Palace and Pomeroy Frere Thomas.

Upon moving to south west Victoria, Narelle launched a pot importing and retail business and interior design company respectively, before being appointed as Warrnambool City Council’s Executive Manager, Tourism and Major Events in 2004. Narelle orchestrated the rise of the Fun4Kids Festival, with the 2008 event lauded as the best and most successful in the festival’s 10-year history and winning Hall of Fame status in the Victorian Tourism Awards, and two consecutive Australian Tourism Awards.

More recently, Narelle joined GenR8 Business and Marketing as Client Services Manager.

Emergency Mentor

Rachael Scicluna - Hospitality and Tourism Manager, Yering Station

Having joined the team at Yering Station in 2000, Rachael Scicluna has played an integral role in the property's development from a brand-new hospitality offering to its position today as one of the country's most acclaimed wine tourism destinations.

Rachael's career in hospitality and tourism began on Hayman Island 12 years ago, and this role was followed by a position at ‘Max's' at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne. Travelling and working throughout Europe in the late nineties further inspired her passion for the industry and in 1999 Rachael returned to the Hyatt.

Later that same year Yering Station completed the construction of its brand new wine tourism complex including a stunning wine bar restaurant. Rachael took up the opportunity to join the dynamic, young team, and was initially employed to establish the functions department. Moving into the position of hospitality manager, Rachael's responsibilities then expanded to the broader role of hospitality and tourism manager. She is now responsible for the property's entire tourism offering including cellar door and wine bar restaurant, functions and events managing a team of over 30 staff.

Rachel is a previous judge of the Victorian Tourism Awards.