Ridsdale, Simpson appointed to Tourism WA board

Travellers Choice Ltd director Trish Ridsdale and Pilbara Iron training manager Mark Simpson have been appointed to the board of Tourism Western Australia, Tourism Minister Sheila McHale has announced.

Existing board members Laurie O'Meara and Robert Gurney, whose terms were due to expire on September 30, 2007, have had their appointments extended one more year.

The full text of a ministerial announcement is pasted below

Tourism Minister Sheila McHale today announced the appointment of two new members to the board of Tourism Western Australia.

Ms McHale said the new members - Trish Ridsdale and Mark Simpson - would bring great value to the board, each with their own specific areas of expertise.

"Both of these new members have the skills and enthusiasm to make a significant contribution to the future of WA tourism," Ms McHale said.

"Ms Ridsdale has strong skills in corporate governance as well as direct links to the Western Australian travel and wine industries.

"She operates a consultancy that assists company boards and management teams review and improve their management practices, and owns her own vineyard in Margaret River.

"Ms Ridsdale is also an independent director of Travellers Choice Ltd, the fourth largest retail travel company in Australia, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the distribution system for retail travel."

Ms McHale said Mr Simpson was selected for his wealth of training experience, particularly with indigenous people.

"Mr Simpson is the training manager at Pilbara Iron and is also responsible for indigenous training, employment, and educational development within the Pilbara region," the Minister said.

Ms Ridsdale and Mr Simpson have both been appointed until June 30, 2009.

Ms McHale said existing board members Laurie O'Meara and Robert Gurney, whose terms were due to expire on September 30, 2007, have had their appointments extended one more year.

"Mr O'Meara and Mr Gurney indicated their interest in continuing to serve on the board and I was more than happy to recommend their re-appointment," Ms McHale said.

"Mr O'Meara is a very active board member and provides strong support in his capacity as Deputy Chairman, while Mr Gurney continues to provide sound advice on many strategic tourism issues."

Ms McHale also acknowledged the contribution of two long-standing members, Janet Holmes a Court and Sonja Mitchell, whose terms expired on June 30, 2007.

"Mrs Holmes a Court and Ms Mitchell each served on the board for more than five years and I would like to thank them both for their tireless efforts in assisting the board and Tourism Western Australia achieve many new milestones and positive changes," Ms McHale said.

Board members include Chairman Kate Lamont, owner of Lamont's Winery; Gail Reynolds-Adamson, director of Kepa Kurl Pty Ltd; Kim Bridge, principal of Kim Bridge and Associates; Howard Cearns, founding director of Little Creatures Brewing Pty Ltd; John Spence, of KARMA Developments; and David Mazitelli, former chair of the Australian Tourism Export Council.