“Statement of Purpose
— To act as the peak Regional Tourism Board for the Phillip Island region, as defined from time to time in tourism industry strategic plans developed by the State Tourism Authority or their equivalent, focusing on the development and growth of the tourism industry in the region, strategic tourism development and advocacy for the region. Consolidate the strategic direction of the tourism industry for the entire Phillip Island and San Remo region and communicate with key partners such as Local Government, State Government and other relevant independent legal entities, and perform the following functions for the Phillip Island region: industry development, product development, regional marketing, strong advocacy and united voice for the region, effective coordination and communication, skills training, leadership and mentoring, networking, identifying investment/infrastructure opportunities, and managing tourism sustainability.
(L-R Jeff Webb, Steve Morris, Chris Kearney, Kimberley Brown, Kim Storey, Ali Wastie, Catherine Basterfield, Tina Orr, Brad Phillips, John Dickie - missing David Bennett)
Destination Phillip Island (DPI) is excited to welcome a new Board line up following its Board Meeting on the 5th of December 2022.
The new Board have a broad range of skills in tourism operations, marketing, financial management, ICT management, strategy and risk management and will be focused on supporting the organisation through the next phase of the destination’s recovery and growth.
CHAIR
Catherine Basterfield
Catherine has a passion for both tourism and conservation and enjoys being part of the positive relationship between these two sectors that make Phillip Island a special destination. Catherine brings to the Board experience in tourism, risk management, strategy and financial management. She holds other Board positions at the Penguin Foundation and Not In My Workplace and plays a key role in the Phillip Island tourism industry as Chief Executive Officer of Phillip Island Nature Parks (the Nature Parks). The Nature Parks operates the Penguin Parade and a number of other much loved nature based tourism experiences on Phillip Island and manages a large portion of Phillip Island’s reserves and beaches. Catherine holds a Bachelor of Business, was formerly a CPA and has completed the AICD company directors course.
DEPUTY CHAIR
John Dickie
SECRETARY / PUBLIC OFFICER
Kimberley Brown
Kimberley lives in the Bass Coast Shire and has had extensive local Government experience - Bass Coast Shire Councillor from 2012–2016 & Mayor in 2015 and engagement with the local community. She was a member of the Visitor Economy Strategy Bass Coast 2020 reference group and the Australia Day Council and has served on countless committees and advisory groups across the tourism and major event sector. Her current position is General Manager of venues for North Pier Hotel (part of the Saltwater Hotels and Properties group). She is also on the Board of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. Kimberley is currently President of the Phillip Island Business Network, and Secretary of the Phillip Island & San Remo Liquor Accord.
TREASURER
Brad Phillips
Brad is a Chartered Accountant with over 22 years’ experience leading finance, commercial, operation and project teams in the not-for-profit, listed, private and multinational sectors. Currently the Business Manager at Newhaven College, Brad is very passionate about Phillip Island and the surrounding region and is genuinely excited to make a positive contribution to the community. Having recently held senior leadership roles as Head of Financial Control at Cricket Australia and General Manager of Finance at Coventry Group Ltd, Brad brings a broad range of experience in strategic, financial, projects, and risk management.
Bass Coast Shire Council representative
Ai Wastie, CEO
With degrees in Arts, Education and holding a Masters of Diplomacy and Trade, Ali has held executive positions within the Victorian Public Service and Local Government. She is also an accomplished Board Director across the not-for profit, community, tourism and health sectors. She is also an accredited executive coach, mediator and alumnus of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. An authentic leader and outstanding communicator, Ali has achieved great outcomes for the boards, communities and organisations she has served. Ali is passionate about developing high-performing teams and creating a workplace culture that is innovative, empowered, strategic, trusting and fun.
Before joining Bass Coast Shire Council, Ali’s prior roles within the Local Government sector include Director of City Communities at Melbourne City Council and Director of Social and Economic Development at Yarra Ranges Council.
Member
Chris Kearney
Chris Kearney is currently at Phillip Island Nature Parks where he is supporting the leadership team as the Tourism industry begins to scale back up and will be joining Qantas in early 2023. Chris has held previous roles including: Small Business Mentoring; Regional Manager for Melbourne Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Centre Chadstone; General Manager, Emirates Airline Cable car; London, Operations Manager for the London Eye as well as other operational roles. Chris is a passionate leader who has experience across a number of industries - leisure, entertainment and tourism - and brings with him broad experience across leadership and management roles, project management, and working in complex operational environments.
Member
David Bennett
Member
Jeff Webb
Jeff is a Chartered Accountant, graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and certified internal auditor, who has over 30 years’ experience. He is the Managing Director of JNW Strategic Consulting, a boutique risk consulting practice, where he assists Boards, Audit & Risk Committees and Executives, with business governance, risk insights and controls assurance to enable them to confidently take advantage of opportunities and uncertainty, in a risk effective manner. Jeff has assisted listed companies, councils, regulators, small business owners and elite sporting organisations with their corporate governance, strategy development, risk management, internal audit, legislative compliance, supply chain processes, business continuity plans and financial controls. With a focus on sports, entertainment and tourism, Jeff is passionate about making a difference.
Member
Tina Orr
Tina is a Marketing & Communications Specialist, with over 15 years’ experience working across tourism & destination marketing, cultural events & festivals, global hotel groups and travel businesses. Currently the Marketing Manager at Jigsaw Travel & Mogul Ski World, she works with a wide range of global tourism partners and has a deep understanding of regional, national and international tourism environments. Previously holding senior positions in Melbourne-based Communications Agencies, Tina has worked on multiple PR and Marketing projects for Destination Philip Island, Phillip Island Nature Parks and Bass Coast Shire Council. Since relocating to the Island permanently in 2019, her passion for the region and local community has deepened, and she has become even more invested in supporting the development and growth of our tourism industry.
Member
Steve Morris
Steve Morris is an experienced management professional with a wealth of experience in the digital technology space. Steve has a diverse background in IT, which has translated into his exceptional knowledge and respect in the industry.
At the beginning of his career, he worked in the USA & Europe for five years, setting up IT sourcing for large corporate clients. He returned to Australia in the late nineties, developing a first-of-its-kind, internet-based B2B Commerce solution, which was integral to the company going public in 1999. In the early 2000s, after making a sea change to Phillip Island, he founded an innovative Managed IT Services business that successfully sold with staff after 14 years of providing local and surrounding businesses with a complete range of Managed IT Services.
Steve is the CEO of an ERP Software company with staff across Australia and New Zealand and remains a permanent resident of Phillip Island.