Board of Directors

PETER RUSSELL, has a commercial back ground in agriculture, hospitality and business services. He was an owner and operator of Peppers Hotel Group, which had regional hospitality interests across Australia and New Zealand. Peter has qualifications in agribusiness marketing and global business management. He also has 30 years experience as a company director, including 6 years as an executive director of a public listed company. 

Cr. NOEL CLIFF, Shire of Yarra Ranges Councillor for Streeton Ward covering Mt Dandenong, Montrose, Olinda, Sassafras, Tremont, Ferny Creek, Upway and part of Upper Ferntree Gully. Noel has lived in the Dandenongs for over 30 years and was a Councillor with the former Shire of Sherbrooke. Noel is passionate about local employment, recreational facilities, improving roads and streets, waste water management and green waste collection.

NOLA CUDDY, Marketing Manager, Zoos Victoria. Nola Cuddy brings over 20 years of tourism marketing and tourism industry experience to the Board. She has marketed internationally for the past 10 years in both eastern and western hemisphere markets with a strong focus on the Asian markets. Currently Marketing Manager Tourism for Zoos Victoria responsible for all three sites and their tourism products. Previous marketing roles have included the National Trust of Australia (Vic), Coal Creek Historical Village and she has spent 3 years consulting to the Victorian Tourism industry. Nola is a foundation Director of Tourism Alliance and immediate past Chair of the Victoria Tourism Operators Association. She also recently joined the Board of Western Melbourne Tourism.

LEANNE DE BORTOLI, Manager, De Bortoli Winery and Restaurant Yarra Valley. As a director of De Bortoli Wines and joint manager, with husband Stephen Webber, of the company’s Yarra Valley operation, Leanne plays an integral role in the development and continued success of the Winery and Restaurant. Her roles are many and varied, and include overseeing and directing the award winning Restaurant and Cellar Door business, Public Relations for De Bortoli and the Yarra Valley region, marketing and product development. Leanne has been a driving force behind the development of brands like Windy Peak and Gulf Station and is actively involved with Victorian tourism networks to promote the Yarra Valley region.

JOHN HARRIS, Managing Director, Summit Conference Group incorporating The Country Place, Executive Conference Centre, and Flowerdale Historic Homestead. John has over 20 years experience in the food and hospitality sector and has held Board positions in both local and international boards for the tourism and conference industry. Under John’s direction as Group General Manager, The Country Place has been award numerous Victorian and Australian Awards for Tourism and Australian Meeting Industry Association Awards.

ADAM NAULTY, Director of Pacific Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd.

EAMONN SEDDON, Chief Executive Officer of Puffing Billy Railway.