As Coordinator Visitor Economy I manage a team that is responsible for the sustainable growth of the visitor economy in the Macedon Ranges. Our key service areas are marketing and promotion, event management and support, industry development and management of Hanging Rock Reserve.

Parks Victoria is responsible for managing more than 4 million hectares of public land, or about 17 per cent, of Victoria. Providing sustainable visitor experiences is a core role, and the current major tourism initiative is developing its long distance walks as part of the Icon Walks portfolio. My position required me to develop the works program for the Walk Victoria's Icons portfolio and manage its implementation.• Project managed the delivery of feasibility assessments and business cases to determine implementation priorities from which to seek project funding. This included options for commercially operated hiker lodges in national parks.• Managed project teams, including leading a team of project managers and area experts to deliver the final two years of the four-year works program for the Great Ocean Walk project. • Established and managed a multi-agency project group to develop the visitor experience and key directions for Grampians Peaks Trail project. • Developed project governance frameworks to ensure accountability and timely decision making.• Secured grant funding and managed and acquitted the agreements between Parks Victoria and Regional Development Victoria.• Managed a variety of contracts between Parks Victoria and consultants and contractors.• Reported to government and managed project communications with key partners and stakeholders, including facilitation of community and stakeholder workshops.

Parks Victoria’s Western Melbourne District consists of four work centres and is one of the four districts of the Melbourne Region management office. It was recognised as one of the most diverse and challenging districts which included the management of new and developing regional parks, protected grasslands and RAMSAR habitats, and the heritage and commercial precinct of Werribee Park. I developed and managed the delivery of the annual program for the district, and project managed key projects.• Managed work centre teams and provided direction and support to ensure they delivered on the annual action plan.• Developed a ‘live’ database version of the District Action Plan to improve programming and reporting. • Developed the heritage asset management program for Werribee Park Mansion, and project managed capital works projects, including park infrastructure, and heritage building restoration. • Provided strategic planning advice and input into growth areas development plans and public land acquisition and disposal.• Provided statutory planning responses to development proposals adjacent to and on public land.• Developed and implemented commercial management procedures for Werribee Park’s public and private events program.• Represented Parks Victoria on district committees and managed communications for ministerial responses, briefing notes, media articles.

Parks Canada’s is the Canadian government’s agency responsible for the management of Canada’s 38 national parks and 171 national historic sites. The Visitor Experience branch was responsible for developing policy and direction for the renewal and improved management of the visitor experience. I was selected for an exchange program, split between the National Office in Gatineau, Quebec and Jasper National Park, Alberta.• Carried out recreational activity assessments and developed management guidelines for approved activities.• Conducted strategic planning for the development of new visitor activities and accommodation products, including assessing of mountain bike trails and roofed accommodation viability.• Developed a National Trails Classification System.• Recommended amendments to several park Management Plans to enable new recreational activities.• Developed a national accommodation pricing policy for diversified park accommodation products.

Parks Victoria’s Visitor Experience Directorate was responsible for delivering park management policy, and planning for new parks and park improvement. I worked in both the recreation programs team and in the master planning team. • Delivered master plans for the Werribee River and Toolern Creek regional parks.• Created guidelines and procedures to assist with visitor experience planning. My draft Trail Planning and Guidelines document assisted regional staff with their management of mountain bike trails.• Developed a Rapid Risk Assessment planning tool to guide recovery assessment and response to parks impacted by natural disaster. This tool allowed for quick decision-making on where to prioritise and invest in recovery works. • Provided feedback and advice on government Precinct Structure Plans.• Developed visitor risk management framework.

The International Students Outdoors Program (ISOP) was a large outdoor recreation and education program running a broad range of trips Australia wide for international students of Victorian universities.I administered the program including financial management and procedures development. I restructured the program that went from being a significantly subsidised program to being completely self-funded. • Developed annual program of trips and operational policies and procedures.• Managed staffing contracts and training.• Managed the program website and the publication of annual brochure.• Coordinated an annual eco-tourism unit for Elon College USA.• Assisted with tutorials for Outdoor Education and Sporting subjects.