Board Member Profiles
Learn a bit about our people and why they became TGS board members...
Fred O'Keefe - Broken River Vineyards
Fred is a long term resident of Shepparton having been born “many years ago” and raised here. Loving the area, he has lived here all his life; however he’s well travelled with a number of overseas trips under his belt. In 1984 Fred and his wife Ruth purchased a 25 acre established vineyard, giving birth to Broken River Vineyards. They supplied wine grapes to some of the most respected and well known wineries both in Victoria and South Australia. Purchasing another 110 acres of land on the Broken River at Kialla in 1997 saw an additional 27 acres planted to wine grapes. Ruth and Fred launched their first wine under their Broken River Vineyards label in 2001, being Fred’s Red Shiraz, following by Ruth’s Red Shiraz. They now produce Red, White, Sparkling and Fortified wines, and more recently have broken into the export market with their wines now being exported to China, Korea, Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong.
Cheryl Hammer - Woodlands Estate Lavender
Cheryl is a 46 year old mother of three boys with a passion for where she lives. Her lavender business, Woodlands Estate Lavender, started 11 years ago, also providing self contained accommodation, The Churches. More recently she has played an important driving role, with fellow board member Kate Smith, in the success of Goulburn Valley Tourism Month. The Shepparton-bred journalist has worked throughout Australia and overseas, returning to the district 13 years ago with her husband to pursue a life on the land. Since then Cheryl has been instrumental in establishing Lifestyle Dookie – a women’s group which actively promotes and supports the small community. She is a long time Board member of Tourism Greater Shepparton and has been recognised on a number of levels in Women in Business and Women in Agriculture programs. Most recently Cheryl has taken on the challenge of marketing and promoting Emerald Bank Leisureland and its offerings.
Kate Smith - Connect GV
Now in her 5th year with the Tourism Greater Shepparton Board, Kate has lived in the Shepparton area for most of her life. Over a 3 year period Kate relocated to Melbourne and Queensland where she was employed in Local Government. Prior to her current role Kate was employed in an administrative role at a local winery. For the past 7 years in her role as Marketing Manager for Connect GV, Kate has been kept busy seeking funding and sponsorships, conducting promotions and public relations activities, not to mention advertising. In this role she is also actively involved in providing a range of options and services to local people with a disability. Connect GV also operate a number of businesses in the region, including Billabong Garden Complex & Cafe, Good Looking Lawns, Flower Power and GV Ragz, as well as managing the Mooroopna Primary School Canteen.
Mark Francis - Greater Shepparton City Council Major Events & Tourism Manager
Mark began his career as Conference Co-ordinator, progressing to Operations Manager at Cumberland Lorne Resort, after completing his formal education in Hospitality, Business and Events Management at LaTrobe University. He then moved on to Accor in Melbourne where he gained valuable metropolitan experience in his role as Conference Manager. Some 11 years ago Mark moved to Shepparton to take up an ever evolving role as Manager of Major Events & Promotions with the Greater Shepparton City Council, with the main focus being on business and public event destination development. He contributes to many industry groups, and is a Board member of Business Events Victoria, an organisation of conference & venue operators throughout regional Victoria. Mark believes in the Tourism Industry and enjoys the challenge of promoting and enhancing Tourism Development in Central Victoria through his many roles in the industry.
Judy Beckingham - Paradise Lakes Motel
Judy and Richard, her husband of 34 years, are the current owners of Paradise Lakes Motel in Kialla. With a very strong background in retail and hospitality they purchased their first business in Shepparton 25 years ago. They went on to purchase 4 other businesses consecutively over the years, building each business before moving on to the next challenge. Over the years Judy has served on many committees and fund raising groups at Bourchier Street and Orrvale Primary Schools, Notre Dame College and Goulburn Valley Grammar School. Judy believes that throughout her diverse experience in the workplace, and extensive travel within Australia and overseas, she has experienced Tourism from a range of perspectives , gaining a vast amount of knowledge and understanding about the environmental, social, and economic impacts that tourism can have on a local community. Judy has a passion for Shepparton and believes Tourism will have a huge part to play in its future.
Peter Cooper - Country Comfort Shepparton (President)
After starting his career in hospitality as a summer job, some 30 years ago, Peter has learned to love this industry, meeting many interesting people along the way Peter gained his tertiary qualification in Hotel Management, and has worked in many facets of the industry, from catering organizations, to regional holiday destinations and private sporting clubs in Melbourne. Prior to taking up a position with Country Comfort Shepparton 3 years ago, Peter and his wife had their own business in Nagambie for 5 years. During this time Peter was involved within the local Tourism Association and the promotion of the Nagambie region.
Sonya Boaden - Quest (Vice President)
Sonya holds tertiary qualifications in Business and Tourism, and brings a diverse industry background to the Board. Eighteen years of Industry experience has resulted in Sonya holding operational and senior management roles with Accor, Asia Pacific, P&O and Australian Resorts. Most recently before purchasing the Quest Shepparton Franchise, Sonya was the National Operations Manager for Quest Serviced Apartments.
Lindy Robson - Airport Direct
Lindy has spent most of her working life in office administration. Starting off in the Public Service, she worked her way up to middle management, where she gained valuable experience in contract administration, team leadership and customer relations. After leaving the Public Service in 1992 Lindy did part time office work for local building and glazing contractors, then took on the position of Director for Computer Wizardry. During this period Lindy was also a business partner in a locally based cleaning business. In 1996 she commenced working in the Corporate Services branch at DECA where she stayed for 9 years. In 2003 Lindy decided to travel around Australia for 12 months, seeing first hand all that other states and regions have to offer the traveller/tourist. She now owns and operates Airport Direct, and when she has time indulges her passion for creative writing.
Gary Smith - The Commercial Family Pub
Gary has been self employed all his working life. He comes to the Tourism Board with a diverse background. After leaving the Navy in 1964, Gary branched out into the automotive industry, taking on sales, finance and group dealerships. After becoming accredited in real estate and finance, with an accounting background, he was perfectly set up to take on private investigation loss prevention, and extensive finance and investment work. He’s a football enthusiast and has been the Manager of the Dandenong Football Complex. Gary has also branched out into ownership of a milk bar, and a baby wear shop in the past, and now owns his first hotel in Tatura. He says he is busily resurrecting the hotel from a reputation as “The pub with no cheer” to one which is thriving and gaining in popularity throughout the region.
Morry McKellar - Shepparton Chamber of Commerce
In partnership with his wife Pam, Morry owns and operates his own business, a custom picture framing and digital printing business, in Shepparton. Morry was born, raised and has lived in Shepparton all his life. He has 2 children and is a Grandfather to 4. For 6 years Morry was a Board Member of the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce. He went on to become Vice President for a year. Morry has now been in the role of Manager for the Shepparton Chamber of Commerce for the past 3 and half years. He will be working closely with the Tourism Greater Shepparton Board.
Glenda Farrington - Central Shepparton Apartments (Treasurer)
Glenda joined TGS three years ago when she became more involved in the industry with her business Central Shepparton Apartments. She had moved to Shepparton and was keen to learn more about “what was happening around the area” and believed TGS could provide that insight. Glenda’s experience running her own accounting business for 33 years has become invaluable to TGS in her role as the board’s treasurer. “The growth in TGS over the past three years has increased six-fold. I have seen tourism week/month grow from an idea to maturity and very successful. The Board is a great group of people and have become my friends. Not only do we achieve great things for tourism we also have fun.” Glenda also enjoys travelling herself and loves the freedom of the Winnebago lifestyle.