Meet The Board

John has over twenty-five years of experience in strategic planning, business development and organisational improvement, and is a highly skilled facilitator. Over his consulting career he has worked with private and public organisations. He has particular experience in the local government sector having worked with over sixty Councils throughout Australia to develop major strategies and organisational improvement programs.

Ross has a wealth of Tourism and Hospitality experience. Ross is also a past Chairman of our former identity Geelong Otway Tourism Inc.and currently holds the Local Economy Portfolio for The Borough of Queenscliffe.

Connie is known around the region for her driving passion and being involved in products that deliver wonderful experiences for visitors. She believes in our tourism businesses uniting and presenting as one cohesive region, while offering a diverse and unique range of experiences.

Connie is particularly enjoying seeing how Greater Geelong and the Bellarine is developing as a standout region to draw visitation and hopes to continue contributing wherever she can.

Cr. Trent Sullivan is the City of Greater Geelong appointed representative to the board of Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine.

Karen has worked in the Tourism, Hospitality and Marketing industry for nearly 20 years and is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Novotel Geelong. Karen is very passionate about our region, the impact that tourism can have on our economy and the future success of our region.

Helen has over 20 years accounting for small business on the Bellarine and Geelong understanding the fluctuations of seasonal business within Tourism. With a strong financial background she assists in the management of the organisations accounts and input from Bellarine Perspective.

As the owner of Bellarine based all-access accommodation business Great Ocean Stays, Christine is passionate about providing awareness and education to industry leaders about accessibility and disability, and how as a region we can all be more welcoming.

Terry is an active member participating in the Tourism industry with a primary focus in the Food, Wine and Event categories. He has had over 30 years experience and key roles in Large and small business with a commerce and marketing objectives. He currently runs Clyde Park Vineyard.

As Sales & Marketing Manager at BAIE wines – on The Bellarine – Nadine has established the family owned vineyard into a well respected boutique brand. Nadine is loving every minute of balancing farm and family life while working within the BAIE Wines business in marketing, wine sales and pop up cellar doors.

Jon’s background in wine draws on 27 years of experience working within the local wine industry at a retail management, marketing and wine writing/media level. The last four years have involved establishing and running his own business – Geelong Cellar Door, a wine bar dedicated to showcasing and championing the wines of our region. He is proudly Geelong born and bred, and loves the rich history and tales that make up the Geelong story, and is excited by the opportunities that lay ahead for the region as we grow and develop into the future.

Cr Cunningham is the chairperson of non-profit community organisation, Bannockburn & District Grants, as well as the Bannockburn and Surrounds Neighbourhood Watch, which he helped establish in 2018.

Cr Cunningham is dedicated to strengthening confidence in Council and building community support through transparency and engagement. Over the next four years, he is focused on developing youth services in the Shire’s small towns, greater mental health support, increased funding for local roads and improved maintenance of facilities.

Cr Cunningham is a Corporate Service Portfolio Councillor and a member of Council’s Audit and Risk Committee. He is Council’s representative on the Tourism Greater Geelong and Bellarine Board, the Municipal Association of Victoria’s Financial Assistance Grants and Rate Capping Taskforce, and the G21 Economic Development, Health and Wellbeing, and Sport and Recreation Pillars.