May 24, 2019
The new chief executive officer for Southern Queensland Country Tourism (SQCT) will be announced soon.
SQCT chair Dr Jane Summers said the SQCT Board had conducted a successful recruitment campaign to replace Mary-Clare Power, who officially finished up with the regional tourism organisation on Friday.
“We received 28 applications for the position from across Australia and around the world,” Dr Summers said.
“The calibre of people who applied was extremely high and I look forward to being able to announce the successful applicant shortly.”
Ms Power has spent seven years with SQCT.
She announced earlier this year she would not be seeking reappointment at the end of her current contract and would seek fresh career challenges outside Toowoomba.
Dr Summers praised Ms Power’s leadership, which included the integration of two regional tourism organisations into one body.
“Toowoomba Golden West and South Burnett Tourism” and “Southern Downs and Granite Belt Regional Tourism” merged in August 2012.
South Burnett Regional Council pulled out of the merged RTO in 2017.
Ms Power said it had been a privilege to work alongside Southern Queensland Country tourism operators.
“They are incredibly hard-working and dedicated,” she said.
Dr Summers also thanked retiring SQCT Board skills-based director Michael Hurn for volunteering his time and expertise to the organisation.
Mr Hurn, who is chief financial controller of Vanderfield based in Toowoomba, will be replaced by Tangalooma Island Resort director David James.
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Wellcamp Airport is on the hunt for a new General Manager following the resignation this week of Sara Hales.
Ms Hales has been with the airport for five years, moving into the General Manager’s role in 2017.
The position description for the role says it would be an opportunity to play a key leadership role in the second stage of growth for Australia’s newest airport: “It is suited to a seasoned and skilled aviation professional with a mix of commercial and technical/operational aviation skills and previous management experience.”
