Our board
Our passionate and highly skilled board sits in the engine room at Team Tourism, working together to achieve our shared vision of becoming a world-class, inclusive destination where memories are made. Comprised of municipal stakeholders, industry professionals and skills-based experts, the board is led by an independent chairperson and administered by Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine staff.
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Bill Mithen
Chairperson
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Tennille Moisel
Location Based Board Member: Geelong
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Cr Donnie Grigau
Borough of Queenscliffe Representative
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Peter Wallace
Location Based Board Member: Bellarine
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Cr Trent Sullivan
City of Greater Geelong Representative
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Larelle Fitt
Skills Based Board Member: Business Events
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Marie-Claire Trotter
Location Based Board Member: Bellarine
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Cr Dom Cook
Golden Plains Shire Representative
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June O’Brien
Location Based Board Member: Geelong
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Tom Ward
Skills Based Board Member: Finance
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Varia Mitchell
Skills Based Board Member: Marketing
Bill Mithen
Chairperson
Tennille Moisel
Location Based Board Member: Geelong
As one of the owners of Splatters Cheese Bar and also the Co-CEO at Platform Arts, I have a broad perspective of the unique experiences that Geelong and the Bellarine offers tourists visiting the region.
My board and governance experience includes leadership roles in several NFPs reporting directly to boards and committees along with five years serving directly as a board member.
As we continue to recover and build post COVID, I believe that tourism and adjacent businesses operating throughout Geelong and the Bellarine are focussed on moving beyond resilience to build a thriving and sustainable economy that continues to celebrate our exceptional offerings.
I relish the idea of joining the Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine board to contribute to the great work already being done on behalf of our industry, and also to provide a voice from the arts and hospitality sectors in this critical time in our region’s growth.
Cr Donnie Grigau
Borough of Queenscliffe Representative
Peter Wallace
Location Based Board Member: Bellarine
With over a decade of experience in the tourism industry, primarily in marketing and sales at Searoad Ferries and its associated businesses, I bring a deep understanding of both the challenges and opportunities our region faces. I have served on various school councils, sporting club committees, and community-based working groups, which has provided me with a solid foundation in governance and collaboration.
In my role at Searoad Ferries, I’ve honed a creative and innovative mindset, which has allowed me to ideate, plan, and execute a wide range of marketing campaigns aimed at driving patronage and enhancing the visibility of our tourism offerings. My skills in graphic design, web development, social media, and videography enable me to take a holistic approach to problem-solving and strategy execution. These skills have been instrumental in delivering campaigns efficiently and effectively, all in-house. I’m passionate about thinking outside the box to achieve results.
Above all, I am deeply committed to reinvesting in the industry that has given me so much. I believe that my dedication to collective success will be instrumental in helping the board achieve long-term growth and sustainability for the region.
Cr Trent Sullivan
City of Greater Geelong Representative
Cr Trent Sullivan is the City of Greater Geelong appointed representative to the board of Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine.
Larelle Fitt
Skills Based Board Member: Business Events
With over 23 years’ experience in Tourism & Events I am passionate in driving the industry and growing the economy in Regional Victoria along with leading staff to implement innovative trendsetting products.
After completing an Advanced Diploma of Event & Hospitality at The Gordon and with 9 years’ experience in the industry at that time I returned to The Gordon to teach Tourism, Events & Hospitality prior to taking up Sales & Event Management roles in corporate hotels for Accor and Marriot.
Currently as Group Head of Conferencing & Events for The Sharp Group, I manage the event teams at Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Curlewis Golf Club & Accommodation, The Range, Flying Brick Cider House & Leura Park Estate all located on the progressive Bellarine.
I have developed strong relationships with tourism bodies such as TGGB, GO Beyond, BEG, Visit Victoria, & GSTR, presenting at many industry forums such as AIME, ATE and Interstate Sales Missions promoting Geelong and The Bellarine to international and domestic markets. I have designed and implemented conferencing and events action plans at venues such as Sheraton Melbourne, Novotel Melbourne, Mantra Lorne, Novotel Barossa Valley and Novotel Geelong with a specific focus on MICE.
As a dedicated supporter of giving back to the community, I have volunteered on several committees since 2001: Secretary of the Apollo Bay Kindergarten, Apollo Bay Music Festival President & Festival Director for 3 years and President of The Apollo Bay Chamber of Commerce. After moving to Geelong, I was the President of Belmont High School Parents Association, a fundraising committee member with Give Where You Live Golf Day & GSODA.
Marie-Claire Trotter
Location Based Board Member: Bellarine
As someone who has made a career out of showcasing the very best Geelong and the Bellarine has to offer, I would be thrilled to represent The Bellarine on the board of TGGB.
I started The Q Train in 2017 with my husband and my parents, and as CEO, I’ve overseen our growth from a dining-room table concept to an integral part of The Bellarine’s tourism landscape. This experience has honed my financial management, marketing and strategic planning skills. I’m a strong advocate for measured, sustainable growth, as demonstrated by The Q Train’s success despite the challenges of recent years.
A crucial part of my role is maintaining relationships with local businesses, groups such as VTIC, Visit Victoria, Tourism Australia, and national and international tour companies.
I have a dual MBA from the University of Ballarat and INSEEC Paris. As an enthusiastic community member, I’ve served on various boards and committees, including COGG’s Women in Community Life Advisory Committee, Ocean Grove Toy Library and OZACT Theatre Company.
I’d love to see Geelong become a leader in inclusive and sustainable tourism. I’ve seen its profile grow in recent years, and I am eager to contribute to our region’s continued success.
Cr Dom Cook
Golden Plains Shire Representative
June O’Brien
Location Based Board Member: Geelong
With over 35 years in travel, tourism, and hospitality, including 17 years in the airline industry, I have built extensive relationships across local, national, and international tourism sectors. I have worked across retail, wholesale, and global corporate travel, managing portfolios such as mining and the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
As a local tourism business owner, I have cultivated strong connections with stakeholders, including wineries, microbreweries, distilleries, and artisan producers. I am proud to have successfully facilitated partnerships for local producers with major venues like the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre and Day on the Green.
I believe in positioning our region as a world-class destination by fostering collaboration, including promoting Avalon International Airport in destination packages.
My involvement with the Young Tourism Network (YTN), securing Intrepid Travel as a partner, and mentoring students at William Angliss, Vic Uni, and The Gordon TAFE demonstrate my commitment to developing future tourism leaders.
Tom Ward
Skills Based Board Member: Finance
In addition to holding a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounts & Finance) from Deakin University and spending 10 years working in senior Accounting and Management Positions, I’m also the owner and Managing Director of Murphys, Queen of the West and Eureka Hotel.
Varia Mitchell
Skills Based Board Member: Marketing
Varia is a passionate marketer with over 28 years in the tourism & hospitality industry. Living in Geelong, she is the Director of Sales & Marketing for Vue Apartments and R Hotel, and is dedicated to connecting guests with experiences and creating memories. The best part of her job is working with the Geelong & Bellarine members to expand the region’s brand awareness.
Varia started working in tourism destination marketing as an inbound tour operator in 1996 in South Australia, developing leisure and wine tourism programs for the international market. From there, she has worked in Sydney expanding her sales and marketing experience to Corporate and Meetings & Events before moving to Queensland in 2001. The next 19 years were spent based in Queensland, selling and marketing destinations, hotels, tours, and experiences from the Daintree, Cairns, Whitsundays, Gold Coast, Brisbane Regional NSW, and Melbourne before relocating to Geelong in 2020.
Other experience include NSW ATEC committee, QTIC Tourism Awards Judge, Secretary & Treasurer of SKAL International Australia and active member of National, State and local tourism bodies.
I look forward to working with the members and community of Geelong & The Bellerine to take our destination to the next level.
Our Staff
We’re lucky to have a team of innovative and hard-working tourism professionals, each an expert in their field and dedicated to growing our visitor economy.