New economic development and tourism body board members announced
Published on 02 February 2017
THE creation of an exciting new economic development and tourism body to grow the Mildura region has taken a major step forward with the first six board members announced.
Paul Gibbens, Brett Millington, Judith Damiani, Maria Carrazza, Geoff Dea and Geoff Thomson will fill the first six positions on the board, led by Mr Gibbens.
The new board has been established to bring together economic development and tourism, which were previously managed by two separate boards. The transitional work to bring the responsibilities of these two boards under the one model has already started.
Mildura Rural City Council Mayor Glenn Milne said the new board will drive complimentary economic growth more effectively within the Mildura region.
“The new board will be independent and the first contact for all economic development and tourism proposals or developments within the region,” Cr Milne said.
“It will also aim to strengthen ties with neighbouring municipalities to form a more regional approach in the tri-state corner of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
”Mildura Councillor for Economic Development and Tourism Mark Eckel said the new model offered a raft of fresh opportunities for the region.
“The new business-led board provides a fantastic opportunity to ensure growth funding is invested in a manner that makes a real difference to the Mildura region,” Cr Eckel said.
“Mildura Rural City Council is looking forward to the new direction which will generate jobs and growth needed to keep Mildura prosperous."
Inaugural chair of the new board Paul Gibbens has been a leading facilitator in combining the existing economic development and tourism boards over the past two years and been offered a two-year transitional role as chairman and director.
Mr Gibbens is a local businessman and current Mildura Tourism Chairman with significant experience on numerous boards as well as a long association with new business development and tourism, both locally and nationally.
The other five directors also bring a wealth of experience to the new board:
Brett Millington is a local person, highly qualified in business administration, geography and science, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Brett has a background in technology and has past experience as a Chief Executive Officer as well as roles in risk management strategy, public relations and community engagement. He has worked on a range of boards including Gippsland Coastal Management Board and the Maffra and District Community Bank.
Judith Damiani is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Mildura-based Citrus Australia Limited and is a local resident. She has more than 15 years’ experience in local, national and international agribusiness, including managing change and facilitating export growth. Judith has qualifications in business and science and professional affiliations and training in leadership and management programs in the USA and Mt Eliza. She has previously served on the Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board (now Mildura Development Corporation).
Maria Carrazza lives in Mildura and has over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality sector and as the owner of a number of businesses associated with tourism, business development and hospitality. She has previously served on the Mildura City Heart board and was a member of the Sacred Heart Primary School Advisory Council, chairing this body for two years. She is currently a member of the St Joseph’s College Mildura School Advisory Council. As an active community member, Maria has led efforts to establish a range of community events and activities. She is a strong communicator with broad connections to the Mildura community both in the city centre and through her family’s involvement in agriculture.
Geoff Dea is a local resident with outstanding leadership experience in a range of local business and industry sectors, including Chief Executive and public accountant of a large regional accounting and financial services firm in Mildura. This experience provides him with a real understanding of existing commercial activity and the development potential in the region. His current position as Chief Executive Officer at SuniTAFE provides unique and outstanding experience in business and education networks. Geoff is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has strong corporate governance abilities.
Geoff Thomson provides exceptional experience to the new board as a local private sector business owner and previously in the government sector as a senior officer in the Victorian Ambulance Service. Geoff is a local resident who has been involved in significant change management issues in government and business. More recently, Geoff has entered the private sector where he has been involved in a number of successful local businesses. He is a current Mildura Tourism board member and president of the Mildura Ski Club. Geoff has outstanding connections with local business networks in the Mildura regional community.
Cr Milne said he was delighted with the appointments which he said would bring a high level of expertise to both streamline and engage business, ultimately driving economic and jobs growth in the Mildura region.
“This is an exciting period for Mildura and I look forward to working in partnership with the new board,” he said.
Media enquiries
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au