WITH Tas Committee 2020-2021

Heading into its 12th year, the WITH Tas Committee one again includes women from an impressive range of backgrounds and businesses who have equally varied skills and experience.

From heritage country accommodation to Tourism Tasmania, event management, digital marketing, hospitality training and businesses of all sizes, these women all have two things in common - a heartfelt commitment to tourism in our beautiful state and to supporting other women in our industry.

At the September AGM, the Constitution was updated to add a Student Member to the composition of the Committee. This was done to provide the opportunity to gain experience, confidence and develop skills that will assist in career development. We are delighted to welcome Caitlin Foale for this year.

Jill has been a member of WITH Tas since Day 1, assisting founder Sally Deane with setting up the organisation and holding the positions of treasurer, general committee member and membership and database coordinator.

Jill operates her own conference and event management business – Jill Bannon Corporate Event Management (Tas)  – which specialises in boutique and mid-size conference and event management.

She also works for one of Tasmania’s foremost charities – Cancer Council Tasmania – overseeing and coordinating a range of gala fundraising events in Tasmania.

With over 37 years in the hospitality, tourism and event management industry, and having lived and worked in the north, on the west coast and in the south of our island, Jill is a passionate advocate for developing the conference and event business within Tasmania.

This is Rita's sixth year on the Committee. She has worked in tourism for several decades across retail travel, tourism marketing and industry development. Her current role is Policy & Industry Manager at Tourism Tasmania.

Rita has remained in the industry because she genuinely believes that tourism provides economic and social benefits for Tasmanians, and it is an industry that is sustainable into the future.

She is also involved in T21 - the Tasmanian Visitor Economy Strategy - which you can find at www.t21.net.au

Rita says she's fortunate to be working in such a positive industry. Visitors love Tasmania and the people who work in the industry are passionate about what they deliver.

Kimberley has worked with the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart since graduating from a bachelor's degree in marketing and Japanese at the University of Tasmania.

Working as a business development executive, Kim works closely with local and interstate contacts in the hospitality and tourism industry. She is passionate about the industry and its people, and is excited to be a new committee member at WITH Tas this year.

Cally Lyons is an entrepreneur who shares Rathmore rural retreat with the adventurous. Passion, energy, positivity, vision and grit have shaped her fascinating lifetime of growing up on a Queensland sheep property, successful business ventures including travel consultancy in the 70s, corporate catering, events, hosting 70 bed international accommodation.

At 19 she ventured overseas for almost 4 years, working in London and travelling through Asia, Europe, North & South America, culminating in an Ecuadorian archaeological dig, living in the jungle on the equator and 3 months in Bermuda.

Completing Diplomas in Financial Planning & Technical Analysis, a Graduate Diploma in Finance & Investment & a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Cally has worked in communications, equities, financial planning, philanthropic investing and with charities.

Rathmore offers a memorable experience, exceeding people’s expectations, encouraging guests long to stay a while, “to look out, look up and look within”, to cook campfire or messroom meals or dine elegantly in the 1828 sandstone homestead, toast marshmallows over the fire, enjoy nature and wildlife under millions of stars, explore, hike, trout fish or commune with platypus in the Dew Rivulet.

Cally is a passionate advocate for raising the bar of the guest experience in Tasmania, regional dispersal of tourism and longer stays for guests, collaborating, supporting, inspiring and networking with tourism organisations & operators.

Having received a wonderful welcome and invaluable support from WITH Tas, Cally is keen to continue her contribution on the committee.

Tania is an experienced chef and catering professional with food and design knowledge. She is constantly updating her knowledge and experience in the industry and enjoys networking.

She has worked for various organisations, mainly in the corporate scene, which has allowed Tania to cook for various executives, eg Prime Ministers, Bill Gates and Cate Blatchett to name a few. Her biggest event was the James Packer wedding to Jodie Meares.

Tania has a passion for all areas of the hospitality industry, loving the fact she can be innovative and creative and can constantly change her ideas and grow.

Mary has had a long association (and love affair!) with the Tasmanian tourism industry over a couple of decades. It all started in 1993 with the publication of a book , A Guide to Heritage Accommodation in Tasmania and grew from there.

After setting up the Tasmania Travel Company with a local travel agent, one of the first online inbound booking agencies in Tasmania, Mary then moved into Tasmania’s South Regional Tourism as Marketing Officer for the Southern region for 6 years. Following that she sold Tasmanian tourism properties through Roberts Real Estate.

Putting her passion for heritage into action, in 2004 she reconfigured an attractive old commercial property into Roxburgh House Apartments offering boutique accommodation.

"The Rox" is Mary's exciting legacy development currently under construction adjacent to heritage-listed Roxburgh House (1880) this year. Comprising 16 apartments and a ground floor retail area, an open courtyard separates the new from the old precinct. Historic Scotch College at the rear of Roxburgh House is being restored to include 2 mezzanine apartments for visitor accommodation.

Alexandra is in her first year with the committee, bringing with her 18 years of experience in tourism and hospitality.

Alexandra is a born and bred Taswegian and is currently in the role of Marketing Operations Manager for RACT Destinations, working across Cradle Mountain Hotel, Freycinet Lodge, Strahan Village and Gordon River Cruises.

Along with her love for tourism marketing, Alexandra is a creative with strong graphic design, aesthetic and branding skills.

Alexandra is passionate about women supporting women in the industry, especially younger women who are looking to start a career in tourism and/or hospitality. She is very excited to be starting her first year on the committee.

Caitlin is currently studying a Certificate in Tourism at TasTAFE Drysdale and will go onto complete her Advanced Diploma and the articulation to UTAS’ Bachelor of Business (Tourism Management).

She has also completed a Certificate IIII in Event Management and a Certificate III and IV in Business both through TasTAFE. Caitlin was awarded the Women in Tourism and Hospitality Encouragement Award for 2019 as part of the WITH scholarship program.

Caitlin intends on working in the marketing sector of the tourism industry with a focus on regional dispersal within Tasmania.