THERE has been a changing of the guard at Casey Cardinia Tourism.
Puffing Billy Railway marketing manager Nadine Hutchins has taken over as chair from Ken Aldred, who remains on the executive as treasurer.
Deputy chair is Charlotte Littlefield from Racing Cranbourne and secretary Michael Johnson from Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park.
Mr Aldred, from the Victorian Equestrian Centre in Upper Beaconsfield, decided to step down from the top post after a decade at the helm, mostly with the former Cardinia body.
“Ten years is a long time for anyone to chair an organisation and, although I have enjoyed every minute, it is time to hand the reins over to other enthusiastic supporters of tourism,” Mr Aldred said
Ms Hutchins has worked in the conference and events industry for 20 years, been at Puffing Billy for eight years and also chairs Cardinia Shire’s Tourism Advisory Committee.
She paid tribute to her predecessor.
“Ken’s dedication to the tourism industry is significant,” she said.
“He was the founding chair of Cardinia Tourism (as it was known 10 years ago) and has seen the organisation join with the City of Casey in 2013 and become Casey Cardinia Tourism.
“On behalf of the members of Casey Cardinia Tourism, we thank Ken for his tireless efforts and are very grateful that he has agreed to remain on the committee as treasurer”.
Ms Hutchins said the group had already started planning for the 2015 calendar year and was working towards running networking events with guest speakers and professional development sessions focusing on tourism related matters.
The most recent networking event was held at the Australian Garden in Cranbourne.
The first priority is to print a new edition of the Casey Cardinia Official Guide and Visitors’ Map, which should be available by March.
As well as promoting local tourism businesses, it will include a map of the Casey and Cardinia region. It will be distributed to tourist information centres in Melbourne and through Victoria’s regional centres as well as to those businesses who advertise in it.
“We are very keen to attract new members to Casey Cardinia Tourism as our aim is to partner local tourism operators, government and allied associations together and market our region to achieve business growth for our members and economic prosperity for the region,” said Ms Hutchins.
To receive membership details or advertise in the Casey Cardinia Official Guide and Visitors Map visit www.caseycardiniatourism.org.au or contact Nadine Hutchins on 9757 0716 or nadine.hutchins@pbr.org.au
