Jan Jacklin - Chair Jan is a communications professional with more than 25 years experience delivering communications, marketing and events across diverse industries.
Jan has a background in business, government, tourism and marketing communications. She worked as a senior manager in local government; responsible for the functions of economic development, retail precincts, tourism, arts and events.
She is skilled at developing strategies, working with creative teams and delivering strong results.
Previously, Jan was a director of a marketing communications agency. Her clients included several major events including the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival and the Melbourne International Flower & Garden.
Her background extends to Media Manager at Tourism Victoria where she worked on the ‘Jigsaw’ campaign. She started her career as a radio journalist, working in Melbourne, Canberra and Queensland.
Away from work, Jan is an accomplished cook. She loves to garden as well as bottle and preserve what she grows.

Dr Colin Drake - Deputy Chair (Victoria University Representative) Colin is a lecturer in undergraduate and postgraduate marketing, tourism and events and is the course co-ordinator for the Bachelor of Business Event Management program at Victoria University. Colin has over 20 years of practitioner experience encompassing senior roles in Event Management, Tourism, Hospitality and the Aviation sectors in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

Cr Richard Lawrence (Moonee Valley City Council Representative) Richard was elected as a Councillor at Moonee Valley City Council in October 2016. Running a small business for the past 25 years in Moonee Valley has given Cr Lawrence a great insight into the commitment small business people make to themselves and the community. Having lived and worked in Moonee Valley all his life he is very passionate about his local area and what it offers for Tourism. Having a Bachelor Degree in Recreation Management Richard sees a lot of diverse opportunities in Tourism and Recreation in Melbourne's wonderful western region.

Bruce Marshall (Melton City Council Representative) Bruce is the Coordinator Economic Development & Tourism for Melton City Council. Amongst other things Bruce is responsible for delivery of Council’s work in developing the local Visitor Economy under the “Melton City Much More” brand. He is a passionate economic development professional with a wealth of local government experience. Prior to entering local government he had over 5 years’ experience running a small business in the international tourism sector in Western Australia.

Craig Rowley - WMT Treasurer (CEO LeadWest) Craig’s experience in advocacy, policy, communications and marketing enables him to lead programs and campaigns that deliver improved strategic partnerships and policy outcomes for business and local government agencies in Melbourne’s West. Western Melbourne Tourism works in close partnership with LeadWest and also has its office based at LeadWest.

Cr Daniel Allan (Brimbank City Council Representative) Daniel was elected as a Councillor at Brimbank City Council in October 2016. As a Brimbank resident of more than 20 years, Daniel is passionate about all that this dynamic community has to offer – from award-winning parks to vibrant cafes and sporting and cultural events.
Daniel has been an active volunteer and involved with community events for many years – it was this passion for supporting his community that motivated him to run for Council.
Daniel is driven to help Melbourne’s west thrive and to encourage young people to be active in their community.

Janet Dawes (Hobsons Bay City Council) Janet heads up the Cultural and Economic Development department at Hobsons Bay City Council (HBCC). Janet’s portfolio at HBCC includes arts and culture, venues, events, visitor services, tourism and economic development. Being part of the strategic development directorate (along with strategic and statutory planning functions) enables her work to cross several dimensions of the visitor experience and influence ways that help position and market the west. She spends a great deal of her free time at Seaworks, Scienceworks and The Substation, and loves the west for its sense of space, especially around the coast and river frontages.

Daryl Wilson (Wyndham City Council Representative) Daryl is the current Manager Economic Development at Wyndham City Council. Daryl has responsibility for Council’s Tourism Unit and his role has a particular focus on business development and investment attraction.

Craig Bray - (Parks Victoria Representative) Craig is the Manager of Parks Victoria’s Western Melbourne District. The district includes visitor attractions such as Werribee Park, Brimbank Park, Organ Pipes National Park, Woodlands Historic Park and various other parks and reserves stretching from Craigieburn in the north to Point Cook in the south. Together these parks and reserves attract over 500,000 visitors annually. Craig has over 25 years’ experience managing high profile parks, bio regions and other tourism assets across the state.

Daisy Jenkins - (Industry Representative) Daisy is Tourism Coordinator with Zoos Victoria, a zoo based conservation organisation with three properties across Victoria including Werribee Open Range Zoo, Melbourne Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary. Daisy is passionate about the tourism industry, and has extensive experience in both the travel and tourism industries, across a range of areas, working with both inbound and outbound visitors. She has a strong background in event management, sales and marketing.

Toni Veljanovski (Industry Representative)  Toni is the Regional Sales Manager for Quest Apartment Hotels responsible the western region of Victoria. Toni joined Quest as a National Account Manager in March 2013. Toni has an extensive background in travel and accommodation, including conference and events sales specialising in the wedding market with the Mansion Hotel Werribee Park, ground staff customer service with Qantas, and sales/account management in the MICE market with Convention & Incentive Service, CiEvents and Impact Events. Earlier in her career, Toni also worked as a travel consultant with American Express Travel (formerly National Australia Travel Ltd) and also in sales with Lifestyle Communities, Tarneit and Palm Lake Resort, Truganina.

Brad Spolding (Industry Representative) Brad Spolding is the Director of The SUBSTATION, a multi-arts centre in Newport, Melbourne. He was previously the executive producer of ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, Australia’s leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander theatre company. He has worked with Lucy Guerin Inc, Rising Tide Productions and for the inaugural Tipping Point Australia conference. Brad has extensive experience in creating environments in which artists can develop and stage new work and build new and engaged audiences. Brad is a representative for the region’s arts sector.

Currently Vacant (Industry Representative)