Glenn CHURCHILL is the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd (GAPDL). Previous to this role he has held various leadership and senior management positions including Mayor/Councillor of Banana Shire for 11 years, qualified Senior Sergeant with the Qld Police Service for 26 years, General Manager of Biloela Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) for 16 years.
Glenn has held a number of appointed positions and roles including Director on the Board of GAPDL, Governor in Council Executive appointee to Central Queensland University Council, post graduate member of CQU Alumi, a member of Biloela ATSIC, Patron of Branch Queensland Rural Women’s Network, elected representative for Central Queensland Local Governments on the State peak body of Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ).
Glenn has a Graduate Diploma in Management (CQU), a Graduate Certificate in Business Management, Diploma of Frontline Human Resource Management, Diploma Local Government Administration, Diploma in Public Safety Administration, Advance Studies in Law and has been awarded with Member of the Australian Institute of Management (AIMM). He was also been awarded the Prime Minister’s Medal for “Service to the Community”, Commissioner’s Medal for distinguished service, National Police Medal and Life Member of a number of community and sporting organisations.
Glenn is a qualified youth worker with the Youth Sector Training Council, qualified strength and conditioning coach, qualified boxing trainer, judge and referee. He has administered, managed, supervised and worked closely with numerous people under traineeship programs who have trained and developed to achieve greater potential for employers and the community. Some including Young Queenslander of the Year, Finalist of Young Australian of the Year, Award recipients of Trainee of the Year, Member of the Australian Paralympics Swimming Team, Australia Day Award recipients, Qld Youth Parliament and many others.
Kim joined GAPDL in February 2008 in the role of Economic Development Coordinator. Kim brings extensive experience in a wide range of business disciplines. Most recently, Kim held the position of Events and Marketing Manager for NT Chamber of Commerce for over two and a half years. Kim also has over 20 years of Financial Services experience, culminating in her appointment as Northern Territory Manager for a leading Australia wide Credit Union in 2001.
Kim also has extensive experience in Business Development, leadership and mentoring roles; and policy formation, implementation and review.
Carissa Gordon is the Corporate Services Manager for Gladstone Area Promotion & Development Ltd and is currently completing her Bachelor of Accounting with CQU.
Carissa has lived in Gladstone for 18 years and comes from a strong accounting background with 5 years experience working as public tax accountant. Carissa brings to GAPDL, extensive knowledge in accounting, finance, computer systems and customer interaction.
Shelley-Ann Kelly is the Promotions and Marketing Manager for Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in Marketing and Tourism from Central Queensland University.
Shelley-Ann has lived in the Gladstone Region for approximately 20 years and has an excellent knowledge of the Gladstone Region. Prior to her role with GAPDL, Shelley-Ann was the Marketing Manager for the Gladstone Engineering Alliance, a role that she filled for 14 months.
Shelley-Ann has also held a number of positions with GAPDL from 2001 - 2006 including Marketing Manager and Membership Coordinator. Shelley-Ann brings a diverse range of skills to her role with GAPDL including marketing, PR, event management and sponosrship.
Shelley-Ann is also a lecturer and tutor in first year business studies including Marketing and Organisational Behaviour with Central Queensland University.
Stephanie Fuller is the Destination Management Officer at Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited (GAPDL). This is a new role that involves the implementation of the Queensland Tourism Strategy through specific projects within the region. It focuses on ensuring the region’s growth and sustainability through regional tourism projects and actions identified as part of the Destination Action Plan.
Stephanie comes from an event management background with experience in corporate functions, weddings and entertainment. She is also studying a Bachelor of Professional Communication at Central Queensland University. Having recently moved to Gladstone in February, Stephanie is enjoying becoming a local. She has great enthusiasm in achieving key tourism and economic development opportunities for the region in her role at GAPDL.
Cindy oversees the operation of GAPDL's 5 Visitor Information Centres and also recruits and maintains GAPDL's membership base.Cindy brings with her 27 years of retail and hospitality experience. She has had a range of duties over the years including Management, Sales, Training, Buying and Media. Her vast duties within these fields combined with many years of travel and residence in Sydney, Victoria and the Northern Territory has given her the ability to deal and communicate with a wide variety of people. Cindy has been a resident of the Gladstone Region for the past 13 years and in that time has seen the area grow dramatically. She has been involved in many sporting clubs during that time which has allowed her to be involved with some of the major events in the area. This has fuelled her passion, knowledge and enthusiasm for tourism within the region and which she is keen to share with visitors and members.
Position: Central Queensland Volunteering Coodinator
Josh Ariens is currently coordinator of Central Queensland Volunteering, the regional volunteer referral service and training provider, facilitating the Gladstone Region’s Volunteer Managers’ Network. This year’s main event is the Festival of Volunteers to be held during National Volunteer Week from May 12-18. Working with the local indigenous community, Josh is also coordinating the Deadly Mates Mentoring Program in 2008.
It is being established to provide community mentors for school-aged indigenous youth. Its aim is to foster and build relationships and improve connections within the school and wider community in order to increase school retention and promote career pathways for young people as well by building links with adult mentors in industry and business.
Josh has worked in community development and administration in both the youth and aged sectors as well as working with vulnerable populations on the margins of society. With studies in language, media, pastoral care and education as well as significant overseas experience in project work, group facilitation and training and leadership development in Spain, Japan and PNG, Josh brings to GAPDL an awareness of some of the key dynamics that shape our global village and local communities.
Natassia and her family moved from Margaret River, Western Australia, to Agnes Water in 1994 and brings her knowledge of the area to the organisation. Natassia has a background that is community focused, being a leader and a driver on the Captain Cook Lions Club Skate Park Committee, an active member of the Agnes Water Surf Life Saving Club for many years and currently a member of the 1770 Festival Committee.
On completion of her Year 12 studies in 2004 Natassia travelled to California on a Youth Exchange Program representing the Captain Cook Lions Club. On returning to Australia, Natassia moved to the Sunshine Coast to study and seek a change of lifestyle.
Natassia started with the organisation as a Marketing Assistant in 2006 and since then has taken on other positions within the organisation. She is currently studying a bachelor of Business in Tourism and is the Executive Assistant to the CEO.
Nicole spent ten months in Japan in 2005 as an exchange student and now speaks fluent conversational Japanese. After returning to Australia in 2006, Nicole graduated from Chanel College with a OP of 2. Currently Nicole is also undertaking a Bachelor of Languages in Japanese and Chinese.
Nicole is the Administration Assistant for GAPDL and is completing a Certificate III in Business as part of a 12 month traineeship. Nicole looks forward to a future within the tourism industry and enjoys being a part of the GAPDL Team.
Phone: 07 4972 4000
Name: Kirstie Bruton
Position: Administration Assistant
Kirstie Bruton is one of two Administration Assistants for GAPDL, and is currently completing a Certificate III in Business Administration in a 12 month traineeship.
Kirstie was born in Gladstone, and completed her high school certificate at Toolooa State High School in 2007.
Kirstie enjoys being a part of the GAPDL Team and looks forward to a strong future in Business, Administration and HR.
Phone: 07 4972 4000
Name: Carly Balkin
Position: Tourism Administration Assistant
Carly spent her childhood in Agnes Water, and attended boarding school at Rockhampton Girls Grammar, where she completed her year 12 certificate. Carly has now moved to Gladstone and has joined the team as the Tourism Administration Assistant Trainee.
She looks forward to being an active member of the GAPDL team.
Phone: 07 4972 4000
Name: Charmaine Eyre-Thomson
Position: Tourism and Festival Coordinator - Agnes Water Visitor Information Centre
Charmaine Eyre-Thompson was born in Gladstone and completed her schooling locally. She then worked in Brisbane before embarking on an extensive overseas working holiday.
Returning to Brisbane, she realised that she hadn’t quite managed to shake the travel bug and commenced studying a Bachelor of Tourism, majoring in Communications.
Charmaine completed her degree in Port Douglas, where she gained experience in the Tourism Industry including working as a charter boat hostess, snorkel guide, deckhand, tour desk operator, receptionist and resort cleaner.
After working at a local radio station as Promotions Manager, Charmaine wanted to pursue a career in Events.
Charmaine is employed as the Tourism and Events Coordinator at our Agnes Water Visitor Information Centre and believes that “this is the perfect role” for her.
Name: Greg Realf
Position: Discovery Coast VIC Coordinator
Greg Realf is the Discovery Coast Information Centre Coordinator at Miriam Vale.
Greg completed schooling and trade as Fitter and Turner in Gladstone, however extensive travel has necissitated multi-skilling in areas such as hospitatility, construction and building, forrestry, fishing, education and the mining industry.
Over the past 6 years Greg's focus has been on Environment, Leadership and Community and Economic Development of the Miriam Vale Shire. Greg is currently serving his first term as a Councillor with Miriam Vale Shire Council.
Position: Tannum Sands Information Centre Coordinator
Jan Wessling is the Tannum Sands Information Centre Coordinator. After working as a volunteer at the centre for two and half years, Jan was promoted to Coordinator.
Jan's working background is in retail and business including customer service, book keeping, money management and the coordination of various departments. Jan also worked at the Rosella Alternative Learning Centre as a pottery tutor working with children and behaviour management.
Jan has held many volunteer postions within the community including St Saviours Playgroup, Kin Kora P & C, Tondoon Gardens Visitor Services, Potters Place and Boyne-Tannum Yoga Group.
