The Board Of Directors
Tourism Whitsundays is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors who bring diverse industry expertise and a shared commitment to the region's success. Representing accommodation, marine tourism, aviation, hospitality, and business sectors, our board members volunteer their time and strategic insight to guide the organisation's direction. Their collective experience ensures Tourism Whitsundays remains focused on sustainable growth, operator support, and positioning the Whitsundays as a world-class destination.
Kate Aslett - CHAIR
Taste Whitsundays / Gifts Whitsundays / Whitsunday Provisioning
Kate is the Owner Director of Taste Whitsundays, Gifts Whitsundays and Whitsunday Provisioning. She brings extensive business experience including winning the Queensland Export Awards for developing international export markets, and previously worked as New Market Development Officer building tourism relationships with ITOs, agents and tourism bodies across Australia and internationally.
A proud North Queenslander born in Townsville, Kate has marketed and promoted the Whitsundays globally for over 10 years and called the region home for the past five. She was recognised as Queensland's Emerging Philanthropist of the Year 2024 and serves as Chair of the Townsville Fashion Festival Board and Artspace Board.
Kate Aslett - CHAIR
Taste Whitsundays / Gifts Whitsundays / Whitsunday Provisioning
Kate is the Owner Director of Taste Whitsundays, Gifts Whitsundays and Whitsunday Provisioning. She brings extensive business experience including winning the Queensland Export Awards for developing international export markets, and previously worked as New Market Development Officer building tourism relationships with ITOs, agents and tourism bodies across Australia and internationally.
A proud North Queenslander born in Townsville, Kate has marketed and promoted the Whitsundays globally for over 10 years and called the region home for the past five. She was recognised as Queensland's Emerging Philanthropist of the Year 2024 and serves as Chair of the Townsville Fashion Festival Board and Artspace Board.
TOM YOUNG - DEPUTY CHAIR
K&L GATES
Tom is a corporate partner based in Brisbane, specialising in aviation and transport, tourism and hospitality, infrastructure and real estate. He brings over 30 years' experience in commercial property law and is a nationally recognised expert in resort and hotel accommodation, liquor and gaming.
Tom has an in-depth understanding of the Queensland, Australian, and Asia-Pacific tourism industries. He actively supports indigenous initiatives across tourism and property sectors, including pro bono work with QTIC.
TOM YOUNG - DEPUTY CHAIR
K&L GATES
Tom is a corporate partner based in Brisbane, specialising in aviation and transport, tourism and hospitality, infrastructure and real estate. He brings over 30 years' experience in commercial property law and is a nationally recognised expert in resort and hotel accommodation, liquor and gaming.
Tom has an in-depth understanding of the Queensland, Australian, and Asia-Pacific tourism industries. He actively supports indigenous initiatives across tourism and property sectors, including pro bono work with QTIC.
RY COLLINS - MAYOR
Whitsunday Regional Council
Ry was elected Mayor at the 2024 Queensland Local Government election, bringing over two decades of experience in management and governance. He moved to the Whitsundays in 2018 and previously served as CEO of Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, leading the region's $1 billion agricultural sector.
Ry holds a post-graduate qualification in Business Administration and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His vision focuses on sustainable growth, prosperity, and resilience for the Whitsunday region.
RY COLLINS - MAYOR
Whitsunday Regional Council
Ry was elected Mayor at the 2024 Queensland Local Government election, bringing over two decades of experience in management and governance. He moved to the Whitsundays in 2018 and previously served as CEO of Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, leading the region's $1 billion agricultural sector.
Ry holds a post-graduate qualification in Business Administration and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His vision focuses on sustainable growth, prosperity, and resilience for the Whitsunday region.
Liza Muller - Secretary
Cruise Whitsundays
Liza has built a 25-year career spanning PR, marketing and tourism, including senior roles in Melbourne's entertainment industry, destination marketing with Tourism Whitsundays, and now tourism operations with Cruise Whitsundays. Her career highlights include managing Australian tour publicity for artists such as The Rolling Stones, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift, and leading destination communications during some of the Whitsundays' most high-profile and challenging periods.
A proud fifth-generation Whitsundays local, Liza returned home in 2018 after working interstate. She brings expertise in strategic marketing, brand development, stakeholder engagement and crisis communications, and is passionate about strengthening collaboration across the industry and creating opportunities for young people to build careers in regional Queensland.
Liza Muller - Secretary
Cruise Whitsundays
Liza has built a 25-year career spanning PR, marketing and tourism, including senior roles in Melbourne's entertainment industry, destination marketing with Tourism Whitsundays, and now tourism operations with Cruise Whitsundays. Her career highlights include managing Australian tour publicity for artists such as The Rolling Stones, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift, and leading destination communications during some of the Whitsundays' most high-profile and challenging periods.
A proud fifth-generation Whitsundays local, Liza returned home in 2018 after working interstate. She brings expertise in strategic marketing, brand development, stakeholder engagement and crisis communications, and is passionate about strengthening collaboration across the industry and creating opportunities for young people to build careers in regional Queensland.
DANIEL GSCHWIND
QUEENSLAND TOURISM INDUSTRY COUNCIL (QTIC)
Daniel Gschwind brings over 25 years of experience in the tourism industry to the Tourism Whitsundays Board. Daniel has served as the leader of Queensland Tourism Industry Council for 21 years.
Daniel is now Professor of Practice in the Griffith Institute for Tourism at Griffith University. He is also the Chair of the Tourism Reef Advisory Committee (TRAC) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), the Chair of QMF: Queensland Music Trails, a Director of the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC), and a board member of the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival.
DANIEL GSCHWIND
QUEENSLAND TOURISM INDUSTRY COUNCIL (QTIC)
Daniel Gschwind brings over 25 years of experience in the tourism industry to the Tourism Whitsundays Board. Daniel has served as the leader of Queensland Tourism Industry Council for 21 years.
Daniel is now Professor of Practice in the Griffith Institute for Tourism at Griffith University. He is also the Chair of the Tourism Reef Advisory Committee (TRAC) of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), the Chair of QMF: Queensland Music Trails, a Director of the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC), and a board member of the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival.
PHIL BROWNE
Whitsundays Sailing Adventures
With over 25 years of experience in the youth and adventure market, Phil Browne has made a remarkable impact. He founded Adventure Travel Bugs in 1999, expanding its reach to multiple locations and serving as General Manager. Phil’s global promotions of the wholesale division were well-received at industry events and expos.
In 2007, he co-founded True Blue Sailing, a renowned Whitsunday tour operator focusing on the youth and adventure market. As a director, Phil managed various aspects, including daily operations, HR, and marketing. His dedication and expertise make him a valuable asset to the Tourism Whitsundays Board. Having lived in Airlie Beach for over 15 years, he is deeply connected to the community and enthusiastic about promoting the region and driving tourism growth in the coming years, particularly in the youth and adventure market.
PHIL BROWNE
Whitsundays Sailing Adventures
With over 25 years of experience in the youth and adventure market, Phil Browne has made a remarkable impact. He founded Adventure Travel Bugs in 1999, expanding its reach to multiple locations and serving as General Manager. Phil’s global promotions of the wholesale division were well-received at industry events and expos.
In 2007, he co-founded True Blue Sailing, a renowned Whitsunday tour operator focusing on the youth and adventure market. As a director, Phil managed various aspects, including daily operations, HR, and marketing. His dedication and expertise make him a valuable asset to the Tourism Whitsundays Board. Having lived in Airlie Beach for over 15 years, he is deeply connected to the community and enthusiastic about promoting the region and driving tourism growth in the coming years, particularly in the youth and adventure market.
Nathan Fleming
OCEAN RAFTING
Nathan is a seasoned professional with 23 years' experience in Queensland tourism and hospitality. He has excelled as the Sales Captain for multi-award-winning Ocean Rafting for the past decade, with expertise spanning youth/adventure, groups and key market segments.
Nathan is the Whitsunday Region Representative for Visit Gay Australia (GALTA) and a board member of Adventure Queensland. He was honoured as Tourism Industry Legend at the Adventure Tourism Awards in 2018.
Nathan Fleming
OCEAN RAFTING
Nathan is a seasoned professional with 23 years' experience in Queensland tourism and hospitality. He has excelled as the Sales Captain for multi-award-winning Ocean Rafting for the past decade, with expertise spanning youth/adventure, groups and key market segments.
Nathan is the Whitsunday Region Representative for Visit Gay Australia (GALTA) and a board member of Adventure Queensland. He was honoured as Tourism Industry Legend at the Adventure Tourism Awards in 2018.
Gus Walsgott
Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland
Gus is a Small Business Financial Counsellor supporting business owners experiencing financial stress across the Whitsundays and broader North Queensland region. A chartered accountant by background, he brings experience as a small business owner, business advisor, consultant and CFO, with expertise spanning accounting, finance and law.
Gus has been part of the Whitsundays community for seven years, arriving post-Cyclone Debbie and contributing through the pre- and post-COVID recovery period. He has previously served on the boards of the Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Bendigo Community Bank, and holds qualifications in Commerce, Economics and Financial Counselling.
Gus Walsgott
Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland
Gus is a Small Business Financial Counsellor supporting business owners experiencing financial stress across the Whitsundays and broader North Queensland region. A chartered accountant by background, he brings experience as a small business owner, business advisor, consultant and CFO, with expertise spanning accounting, finance and law.
Gus has been part of the Whitsundays community for seven years, arriving post-Cyclone Debbie and contributing through the pre- and post-COVID recovery period. He has previously served on the boards of the Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Bendigo Community Bank, and holds qualifications in Commerce, Economics and Financial Counselling.
JENN HONNERY
Bowen Tourism And Business
Jenn Honnery is Chair of Bowen Tourism and Business, a local organisation with 200+ members. It runs the Visitor Information Centre at the Big Mango and Visitor Booth on Bowen’s front beach, promoting members and the Whitsundays through visitor services and destination marketing with Tourism Whitsundays. Jenn moved to Bowen 11 years ago with her family and is passionate about the town, beaches, and reef. She has 15+ years in communication design and marketing, focusing on small tourism and community projects. Jenn owns Organic Pride, Queensland’s largest certified organic mango orchard, and is optimistic about the region’s future in agri-tourism.
JENN HONNERY
Bowen Tourism And Business
Jenn Honnery is Chair of Bowen Tourism and Business, a local organisation with 200+ members. It runs the Visitor Information Centre at the Big Mango and Visitor Booth on Bowen’s front beach, promoting members and the Whitsundays through visitor services and destination marketing with Tourism Whitsundays. Jenn moved to Bowen 11 years ago with her family and is passionate about the town, beaches, and reef. She has 15+ years in communication design and marketing, focusing on small tourism and community projects. Jenn owns Organic Pride, Queensland’s largest certified organic mango orchard, and is optimistic about the region’s future in agri-tourism.
Kylie Forgione
Flight Centre Travel Academy
Kylie Forgione has called the Whitsundays home for more than 15 years and is passionate about the long-term success of the region’s tourism industry and community. As Work, Study + Play Program Leader with Flight Centre Travel Academy, she works closely with tourism and hospitality operators to connect emerging talent with employment opportunities, education and career pathways.
Through her work, Kylie brings valuable insight into workforce attraction, development and retention, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing tourism businesses and the next generation of industry professionals. She is a strong advocate for tourism as a rewarding, long-term career and is committed to supporting a thriving regional industry where people can build meaningful careers and lives.
Kylie Forgione
Flight Centre Travel Academy
Kylie Forgione has called the Whitsundays home for more than 15 years and is passionate about the long-term success of the region’s tourism industry and community. As Work, Study + Play Program Leader with Flight Centre Travel Academy, she works closely with tourism and hospitality operators to connect emerging talent with employment opportunities, education and career pathways.
Through her work, Kylie brings valuable insight into workforce attraction, development and retention, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing tourism businesses and the next generation of industry professionals. She is a strong advocate for tourism as a rewarding, long-term career and is committed to supporting a thriving regional industry where people can build meaningful careers and lives.
Renae Trimble
Hamilton Island
Renae Trimble is Chief Operating Officer at Hamilton Island, bringing more than 25 years of experience across hospitality, commercial strategy, loyalty and digital. Appointed to the role in June 2026, she oversees the island’s diverse operations, including hotels, food and beverage, marina, retail and activities.
Prior to joining Hamilton Island, Renae was Chief Commercial Officer at the National Rugby League (NRL), leading commercial revenue and fan engagement. She spent 17 years with Accor, most recently as CEO of Accor Plus Asia Pacific, following senior commercial leadership roles across strategy, revenue, distribution, digital, loyalty and marketing. Renae began her career in hospitality with Rydges and Marriott.
Renae Trimble
Hamilton Island
Renae Trimble is Chief Operating Officer at Hamilton Island, bringing more than 25 years of experience across hospitality, commercial strategy, loyalty and digital. Appointed to the role in June 2026, she oversees the island’s diverse operations, including hotels, food and beverage, marina, retail and activities.
Prior to joining Hamilton Island, Renae was Chief Commercial Officer at the National Rugby League (NRL), leading commercial revenue and fan engagement. She spent 17 years with Accor, most recently as CEO of Accor Plus Asia Pacific, following senior commercial leadership roles across strategy, revenue, distribution, digital, loyalty and marketing. Renae began her career in hospitality with Rydges and Marriott.
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