Our Board
Meet The Board
Australia’s South West is governed by a board of Directors who have been appointed for their professional experience and expertise spanning a range of professions and industries.
The Board of Directors comprises an independent chairperson, four elected industry representatives and four skills-based positions.
Board members normally serve a term of two years and positions are voted on by individual sub-regional members and the skills-based positions by the board directors. Nominations are called in August each year for positions on the board.
Dr Lenore Lyons
Independent Chair
(July 2024 - Present)
Lenore has had a successful career as a senior manager in the not-for-profit, private and education sectors, specialising in strategic planning and business and product development.
She has worked in the tourism industry for over 15 years, co-founding an ecotourism business that was inducted into the Western Australian Tourism Hall of Fame in 2015. She currently works as a consultant helping tourism business and destination marketing organisations to build capacity and grow the nature-based, trails and adventure tourism market.
Dr steve crawford
DEPUTY CHAIR - Skills Based Position
(February 2023 - Present)
Steve has enjoyed a long and passionate engagement with Western Australia’s tourism development mostly in senior management roles within government.
The diversity of his experience extends to tourism destination planning, research and management, trade marketing, tourism education, and business development. Steve has represented Western Australia on numerous national bodies and is recognised as a leader in his field with many accolades including National and State Tourism Awards.
Steve’s formal qualifications include a Doctor of Business Administration.
Rhys Pearce
Treasurer - Skills Based Position
(October 2019 - Present)
Rhys has focused on providing advice and guidance to WA Tourism businesses and Not-For-Profit boards around proactively managing risks.
In collaboration with Insurers and engagement with Tourism Operators, Rhys has executed strategies to deliver innovative risk programs, drive long term financial resilience and successfully navigate emerging economic risks.
Lisa Spencer
SKILLS BASED POSITION
(FEBRUARY 2021 - Present)
Lisa has over 18 years’ experience; having held brand, sponsorship and commercial roles in Sydney, London and Perth. She is a passionate advocate for tourism, the wellness industry and the beautiful state of Western Australia.
Lisa is the Founder of Destination Wellbeing, a consultancy that works with destinations and tourism operators to identify wellness tourism opportunities and strategies to tap into the $650 billion wellness tourism industry.
Jessica Priestly
SKILLS BASED POSITION
(FEBRUARY 2024 - Present)
Jess Priestly is a dedicated professional with deep ties to the South West, where she lives with her young family. With a background in Human Resources, Finance, and tourism, she brings expertise in leadership, environmental stewardship, and the arts.
Jess has worked in mining, oil & gas, and construction before transitioning to responsible tourism. As Managing Director of Koomal Dreaming, she grew the business into an award-winning operation focused on Aboriginal culture and environmental conservation. She also played a key role in expanding John Miller Design and promoting the arts in the Margaret River Region.
Passionate about the potential of the arts and tourism to drive positive change, Jess is committed to fostering collaboration and supporting sustainable growth in the South West, ensuring the region’s lifestyle and environmental values are preserved for future generations.
Doreen (Dorz) Thomson
Southern Forests & Valleys Representative
(October 2023 - PRESENT)
Dorz is a senior leader and a sales and marketing professional with over 20 years’ experience in the tourism industry, working across various sectors from travel retail, wholesale, inbound, destination marketing and hospitality in both Sydney and Perth. A strategic thinker with a drive in achieving results and holds a great passion for the tourism industry.
Dorz is the Senior Marketing Manager for RAC Parks & Resorts.
kym gibson
BUNBURY GEOGRAPHE REGION REPRESENTATIVE (JUNE 2024 - PRESENT)
Kym brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Australia’s South West board. With a background encompassing hospitality, tourism, recreation, and education, Kym has a comprehensive understanding of the sector’s intricacies.
Having established a successful nature-based adventure tourism business, Adventure Connections in Collie, Kym has firsthand experience in the tourism industry. Her strengths lie in nature-based wellness, adventure tourism, and community outdoor well-being programs, where she has demonstrated her ability to develop and implement initiatives that promote sustainable tourism practices
Steve Millhouse
Great Southern Representative
(May 2022 - Present)
Steve is a widely experienced hospitality manager that has dedicated over 25 years to the industry, with 23 of those within the Hilton Worldwide Group. Gaining experience throughout Australia & Overseas he a wealth of knowledge of the Hospitality & Tourism industry within an international chain.
Steve’s operational knowledge has been developed through large projects assisting with refurbishments, managing teams throughout multiple locations and most recently opening the first Hilton Garden Inn within the Australasian region, located in Albany.