Destination Phillip Island (DPI) has welcomed a new Board line up following its Board Meeting on December 5.

The new Board has a broad range of skills in tourism operations, marketing, financial management, ICT management, strategy and risk management and will be focused on supporting the organisation through the next phase of the destination’s recovery and growth.

The new Board now consists of:

• Chair – Catherine Basterfield, appointed December 2021
• Deputy Chair – John Dickie, joined 2021
• Secretary/Public Officer – Kimberley Brown, joined 2021
• Treasurer – Brad Phillips, new Board member
• CEO Bass Coast Shire Council – Ali Wastie

Members: David Bennett, joined in 2021; and new Board members Tina Orr, Steve Morris, Jeff Webb and Chris Kearney.

The Board farewelled four of the organisation’s long serving members including Fergus Cameron who was inaugural Chair of both the Destination Phillip Island Campaign Committee created in 2004 and the evolved restructure to a Tourism Board in 2013.

Fergus has provided endless advocacy for the region’s visitor economy supporting the recognition of the Phillip Island region as a unique and high profile tourism region of Victoria.

Tony Holland was appointed in 2013 as an independent skills-based Board member, has supported the organisation during the last nine years, by sharing his legal expertise and local passion for the Island. 

Michaela Salvato joined the Board in 2015 and has made a positive impact on the organisations financial planning and budget development holding the Treasurer’s role, and Chair of the Audit, Finance, Governance and Risk committee during her appointment.

Local Greg Harrison, appointed in 2016 has provided leadership as Deputy Chair and Chair of the Development Committee providing valuable input and supporting the development of submissions to a wide variety of project that impact tourism.

Chair, Catherine Basterfield acknowledged the significant contribution each of the members had made and thanked them for their energy, passion and commitment to the Phillip Island tourism industry.

The new Board Member appointments were endorsed by the former Board following an extensive recruitment process, which took place over the last few months.

Eleven high calibre applications  were received for the voluntary board positions and the recruitment process focused on the skills required to support the organisation into the future.

The final Board appointments were made following a shortlisting and interview process.