What do we do? Service Charter Disclaimer Contact Us
Tourism Alliance Board of Directors
Matthew Noble - Chair
With qualifications from William Angliss Institute in Hospitality Management, Matthew pursued a career in the restaurant industry which led him to a passion for wine and culinary tourism. Matthew has also toured many of the world’s renowned food and wine destinations over a number of years.
Returning to Melbourne in 1998, Matthew founded the Australian Wine Tour Company and has been the sole director for the past 10 years. During his time in tourism, Matthew has been very active within the industry and is currently on the board of the Victorian Food & Wine Tourism Council and is an invited representative for tourism operators on the Tourism Excellence Steering Committee. Matthew also freely gives up his time to act as a mentor to a number of Tourism Operators.
Matthew has previously been involved with Destination Yarra Valley Dandenong Ranges Tourism, Commonwealth Games 2006 - Backpacker Reference Advisory Group/Tourism Victoria, Backpacker Operators Association of Victoria and Yarra Ranges Regional Marketing Limited.
The Australian Wine Tour Company has been a supporter of Tourism Alliance as a member since 1999. Other memberships include VECCI, Backpacker Operators Association of Victoria, Australian Sommeliers Association and the Australian Tourism Export Tourism Council. The Australian Wine Tour Company has also been a winner at the 2004 Victorian Tourism Awards receiving the Significant Tour & Transport Operator Award. Other achievements include Certificate of Accreditation with the Better Business Tourism Accreditation Program (now ATAP), Department of Infrastructure Bus Operations and Parks Victoria. The Australian Wine Tour Company were also winners of the 2006 Great Wine Capitals of World ‘Best of Award’ for services to Wine Tourism.
Matt is passionate about Tourism Industry and ensuring the highest professionalism standards are maintained and would like to take this opportunity to assist in Tourism Alliance’s further advancement as a leading industry provider of professional services.
Sue O'Brien - Deputy Chair
Sue is the General Manager for Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel – a member of the exclusive French-based Relais & Chateaux hotel group. Her role includes hotel management and marketing and promotes the property on the local, interstate and international stage. Sue regularly hosts visiting media dignitaries from every corner of the globe.
Sue has been working in the Victorian tourism industry since the late 80’s and has been involved with many projects and organizations including:
- The Yarra Valley Grape Grazing Festival.
- The production of the first Victorian tourism/travel TV show “Our Victoria”.
- Yering Station Winery as the Tourism, Media and Events Manager.
Sue has also been involved on many committees and programs within the Yarra Valley Region including:
- The Yarra Valley Food Group as a founding committee member.
- A committee member of the Tourism Information Centre.
- YVDTR Campaign Committee.
Since 2005, Sue has been a Board member of Tourism Alliance Victoria Ltd. Her time on the board has been both rewarding and challenging. She believes that especially in such difficult economic times, her knowledge, hands-on experience and international contacts can be of ongoing benefit to Victoria’s tourism Community.
Roger Grant
Roger Grant is the Executive Director of the regional tourism body Geelong Otway Tourism (Hall of Fame 1999 Victorian Tourism Awards) and is also currently a director of Great Southern Touring Route (Victorian Tourism Awards winner 2000). In 2004, Roger was awarded the Victorian Tourism Award for Outstanding Contribution By An Individual.
Prior to his present position, Roger was the Tourism Manager for what is now Parks Victoria for seven years. During this time Roger was awarded both Anzac and Churchill fellowships to study tourism issues in North America and New Zealand.
Roger has a Master of Arts degree from the University of Alberta Canada in addition to Education and Physical Education Degrees.
Roger has been a board member since the beginning of Tourism Alliance Victoria.
Terry Robinson
Terry Robinson currently is the Chief Executive Officer of Destination Gippsland. Destination Gippsland is the peak tourism body for Gippsland and provides a sustainable platform for the development of tourism in the region. It focuses on marketing, industry development, investment and infrastructure projects.
Previously Terry was the Operations Manager of the Phillip Island Nature Park, which includes attractions such as the Penguin Parade, Nobbies Centre and Koala Conservation Centre. He was also the Director of Marketing at the Park for three years. Prior to the Nature Park he was the Manager of Tourism and Economic Development for the Indigo Shire Council, based in Beechworth, a position he held for five years. Terry has been on the Tourism Alliance Board for four years.
Terry has a Bachelor of Economics Degree from Monash University as well as post graduate qualifications in tourism and marketing also from Monash and has been involved in regional tourism for 15 years having previously worked in Cobram Barooga and Yarrawonga.
www.destinationgippsland.com.au
Chris Buckingham
Leads Destination Melbourne, the regional tourism organisation for Greater Melbourne. Until recently, he played a pivotal role in the development of the Gippsland Tourism Sector.
Chris is passionate about the tourism industry and optimistic about the future of Melbourne and Victoria as an outstanding global visitor destination.
His priorities are:
- The sustainable development of tourism industry,
- Effectively communicating the significance of tourism and
- Ensuring that we grow effective leaders in the tourism industry
- Enhancing the working relationship between Melbourne and regional Victoria
Chris is a Certified Practising Marketer through the Australian Marketing Institute and a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Chris lives in Moe with his family. His latest obsession is surfing, which does not occupy enough of his time.
www.destinationmelbourne.com.au
Kiff Saunders
Global Ballooning is Victoria’s largest hot air ballooning company, offering flights over Melbourne and the Yarra Valley. Now in its 20th year of operation, Global Ballooning has introduced over 100,000 people to the joy of ‘lighter than air’ flight with award-winning service.
Kiff Saunders is Global Ballooning’s managing director and chief pilot. He has flown balloons throughout Australia and the world. His aviation career began at the age of 15 and he now holds Australian Ballooning’s highest qualifications. Kiff has sat on the board of Yarra Valley Marketing as well as travelled to many international destinations promoting ballooning and Victoria.
Kiff has developed brand marketing partnerships with Tourism Victoria and Yarra Valley Marketing to assist in increased visitation to Victoria. Subsequent to Global Ballooning’s involvement in the marketing of Victoria, Global Ballooning has developed key strategic partnerships with many small and high profile tourism businesses.