WITH Tas Committee 2021-2022

Heading into its 13th year, the WITH Tas Committee once 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 2020 AGM, the Constitution was updated to add a Student Member to 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 back Caitlin Foale for her second year.

Jill Bannon - WITH Tas Committee Member

President: Jill Bannon

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.

Alexandra Bray

Vice President: Alexandra Bray

Alexandra is in her second 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.

Rita Warrener, Vice President, WITH Tas

Secretary: Rita Warrener

This is Rita's seventh 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.

Kerry Scambler - WITH Tas Treasurer

Treasurer: Kerry Scambler

Kerry has a diverse background and experience. Originally a Launnie girl, she spent five years working in Melbourne and Sydney before returning home and settling in the community of South Arm, south of Hobart.

Her experience includes:

- Five years with her own business, The KS Principle, working with generally smaller tourism operators on marketing, writing, online presence and general consultation. She has also worked with the team at Arm End multi use recreation reserve in a diverse role as construction of the walking trails and world-class links golf course begins.
- Eleven years with national online wine and food travel publisher, VisitVineyards.com, based at Cambridge.
- Thirteen years in the successful national sales and marketing team at J.Boag & Son, based in Hobart.
- Twenty plus years involved with the very active South Arm Peninsula Residents Association (SAPRA), receiving Clarence Council's 2019 Citizen of the Year award for her community work.
- Plus early stints in credit unions, media, tech companies and a favourite time involved with Targa Tasmania from prior to the first event in 1992 to 1996.

Now in her sixth year on the WITH Tas Committee, she's looking forward to another year of connecting, supporting and inspiring you all!

Alice van der Woude

General Committee: Alice van der Woude

Alice is an experienced advertising and marketing professional at Tourism Tasmania, and passionate supporter of the Tasmanian tourism industry.

With a Business / Law degree from the University of Tasmania, she worked as an account manager for a Sydney-based advertising agency and a marketing consultant before entering the tourism industry in 2014 to support the launch of Tasmanian Boat Charters, a family-owned and operated expedition cruise business which provides bespoke wilderness experiences. Alice continues to operate as an advisor to Tasmanian Boat Charters outside of her primary role at Tourism Tasmania.

Over the last few years, she has managed the development and implementation of Tourism Tasmania's Unordinary Adventures marketing program, inspiring people who travel for their passions to visit Tasmania to experience world-class special interest experiences. Alice currently works within the brand marketing team, where she delivers partner marketing activity that supports Tourism Tasmania's brand campaigns. Alice in her spare time makes appearances representing Australia as an underwater hockey player

Cally Lyons, WITH Tas Committee Member 2018-2019

General Committee: Cally Lyons

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 Thompson - WITH Tas Committee Member

General Committee: Tania Thompson

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 Brownell - on site at The Rox

General Committee: Mary Brownell

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 a varied roles in the tourism arena and putting her passion for heritage into action, in 2004 she reconfigured a tired commercial property into Roxburgh House Apartments with 3 boutique apartments.

She is proud to be launching her latest project, “The Rox”, an exciting new development of 16 apartments and a ground floor retail area adjacent to heritage-listed Roxburgh House (1880). Four apartments, including a penthouse with awesome city views, are specially set aside for sophisticated, independent travellers who seek authentic experiences of place. Historic Scotch College, hidden behind Roxburgh House, has been lovingly and meticulously restored to cater for the discerning traveller who wishes stay in a beautiful space with friends or family whilst visiting Hobart and surrounding attractions.

Caitlin Foale - 2020 Scholarship Encouragement Award Winner

General Committee - Student: Caitlin Foale (resigned)

Due to work commitments, Caitlin resigned her position in early 2022. We thank Caitlin for her valued contribution and insightful perspective over her term.

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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.