Judging for the Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards is conducted by a panel of industry peers appointed by Tourism Council WA.
All judges provide their time and expertise on a voluntary basis and are educated in the entire judging process including submission assessments, scoring guidelines, undertaking site inspections/interviews and providing adequate feedback to entrants.
The objective of the Awards judging process is to fairly and independently evaluate each entry through the formalised and professional assessment process.
The appointment of judges is designed to be completely transparent and all judges must meet strict criteria as well as be a representative of the tourism industry. They possess a strong knowledge of the operations of the industry and will be, or have been, involved in tourism or a similar service at a senior management level.
Each submission is assessed by three different judges. The final score is determined by the aggregate of the three scores (individual categories include an interview score).
Professional auditors oversee the WA Tourism Awards judging process. Their role is to audit submissions for compliance, audit score sheets and check conflicts of interest and confidentiality declarations.
Please find below a list and short biography of our judges.
Pat Strahan - Chair of Judges
Pat commenced her career in the travel and tourism industry in 1984 and started her own business, Strahan Events, in 1990, organising both large and small international, national and State events as well as the annual Caravan and Camping Show and Holiday and Travel Expo. She was also CEO of Caravan Industry Australia WA for 15 years. Pat is now semi-retired and focusing on her voluntary commitments within the tourism industry as well as community events. Her involvement with the awards began in 1995 as the WA Awards Co-ordinator, then a State judge and was an Australian Awards Judge for 6 years. She is currently Chair of Judges for the WA Tourism Awards. In addition, she is Chair of Visit Mandurah and Chair of Relay For Life West Coast.
Pat was a founding member of Tourism Council WA and sat on the Board for many years and has previously sat on the Boards of the Caravan Industry Australia, Meetings Industry Association WA and the Events Industry Association, Visitor Centres WA just to name a few. In 2013 Pat was awarded the Sir David Brand Medal for her Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Industry for which she feels very honoured.
Julian Barry
Julian Barry has worked in the tourism industry for over 30 years, predominantly in aviation and tourism development, along with the caravan and camping industry. He has previously been a state judge for both the WA Tourism Awards and the NT Tourism Awards (the Brolgas), and has also been a national judge for the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Julian is currently the General Manager Commercial for Airnorth, based in Perth, and holds an MBA with majors in marketing and international business.
William Barry
William Barry is an experienced tourism and economic development professional. Graduating from the Shannon International Hotel School, Ireland he has had a diverse career managing and owning operations in the UK, Ireland, Switzerland and Australia.
William currently works with the Economic Development team at the City of Cockburn; where in collaboration with a terrific range of operators like the new Perth Wave Park, the exceptional Cockburn Ice Arena, the WA Wildlife Centre, Adventure World, operators at Port Coogee Marina and many many more, he is establishing a very cool and exciting new Visitor and Tourism destination.
William is passionate about marketing and destination development. Getting businesses to work together and promote their region and watching the benefits flow out is a skill he learnt operating his own business in country NSW to great effect and success!
He has held voluntary board roles on several organisations and is currently a board member with Forum Advocating Cultural and Eco Tourism (FACET); and Joint Chairman of Economic Development Australia (WA). He holds an MBA from the University of Western Australia; Diploma in Hotel Management, Shannon Hotel School; and is an Accredited Certified Practitioner of Economic Development: ACEcD.
Tabetha Beggs
Tabetha Beggs is a proud West Australian, with over 30 years’ experience in tourism marketing and stakeholder engagement. Tabetha has worked across many industry sectors including; local government, tourism, hospitality and the arts. In her current role as Tourism Development Specialist at the City of Armadale she has drawn on her experience and knowledge to assist in developing a bold new tourism strategy for the rapidly growing metropolitan city.
Tabetha’s previous roles include; Manager WA Partnerships and Industry at Tourism WA, CEO of the Kalamunda CCI, Marketing Executive for the City of Perth and Exhibitions Officer for the Royal Society of Arts (UK). She has also been actively involved with many not-for-profit organisations. She is currently the Deputy Chair of Writing WA and sit on the Boards of both Australia’s Golden Outback and the Forum Advocating Cultural and Ecotourism (FACET). She has travelled widely throughout WA and has lived and worked both internationally and regionally. She is a dedicated ambassador for Western Australia and everything it has to offer. This is Tabetha’s third year on the WA Tourism Awards judging panel.
Martin Black
Martin worked in the media and public relations industries for many years before starting The Margaret River Chocolate Company with a childhood friend in 1999. The iconic WA business was soon followed by other tourism ventures including Margaret River Providore, The Margaret River Coffee Company and Coward & Black Vineyards, in both the Swan Valley and Margaret River wine regions as well as in Perth city.
Martin has been intimately involved in the not-for-profit sector for more than 25 years and is the immediate past chairman of both WA’s oldest not-for-profit organization, Ngala, and national not-for-profit organization The Fathering Project. He is also the WA member of the Australian Fathers Day Council and is on the board of the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund. Martin is also a keen cyclist, music lover and father of two teenage boys.
Julie Coleman
Julie has had a diverse career in public relations and marketing, running her own business, then working for the State Government and in the private sector. In 2011, Julie joined Perth Airport to manage the communications and marketing around the $1 billion redevelopment. In addition to this, in 2014, she became Manager of Corporate Affairs with responsibility for internal and external communications, community engagement, media, sponsorships and events. During this time, she developed an extensive network across the aviation and tourism sectors.
With the redevelopment nearing completion, Julie retired in mid-2016 to pursue her passion for travel and her commitment to promoting Western Australia as an outstanding tourist destination, and provide part-time consultancy services to the education and tourism sectors.
Michael Collins
Michael Collins is the Principal of 'CF Global,' a Perth based tourism industry consultancy, specializing in Regional Tourism and Representative/Destination Marketing.
An illustrious career journey, Michael held influential positions at Austotel, a prominent national hotel group, and the Swan Brewery. Subsequently, he and his wife Jonine leased and managed the historic Castle Hotel in York WA for nearly a decade. Continuing with a pivotal role as the regional manager for WA/SA/NT with the International Hotel Chain Best Western. More recently, Michael contributed his insights to the Caravan Industry Association WA as Manager of Membership and Business Improvement.
Before founding CF Global in 2013, Michael's leadership prowess was evident as the Group General Manager for Western Australia's Hospitality Group. His oversight included the pre-launch of the boutique 5-star 'Terrace Hotel' and the operational achievement of the highly awarded Karijini Eco Retreat.
Nick Coombes
Nick was born and raised in WA. With a BA in Psychology and certifications in Finance and Mortgage Broking, and Insurance Broking Nick has been working with Western Australian businesses for over 20 years. As a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia, my community involvement as a Non-Executive Director for the Cat Welfare Society (Cat Haven) and Chairperson of the Finance, Governance, and Risk Committee is well known.
Mark Delane
Having grown up on the family farm in the wheatbelt, Mark and his family have been living in Dunsborough for the past fifteen years. With over 15 years of hospitality management experience, Mark made the moved into tourism as the Attractions Manager for the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association (MRBTA). Mark then moved into the role as Operations Development Manager and is now Asset and Environment Manager for the Capes Foundation which is a division of the MRBTA, a role he has filled for the past 6 years with the organisation.
Mark’s key role is to oversee the conservation, preservation, interpretation and development of the sites in their entirety; being Ngilgi, Mammoth, Lake and Jewel Caves, Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouses Forest Adventures – High Ropes Course and more recently Eagles Heritage Raptor Centre.
Mark has a passion for History, Culture and Story-telling, loves getting his hands dirty and is a mild workaholic! Mark has a strong focus on heritage, tourism, culture and regional connection. A strong believer in relationships and partnerships in helping drive collaboration and positive outcomes. Mark is responsible for major project developments for the Association’s attractions sites under the association’s stewardship.
Wendy Dowling
Wendy Dowling AM is a Director of Ideology Pty Ltd which works internationally in the field of Tourism Planning, Development and Training. She is an administrator and marketer whose focus is to add value to people, the environment and the economy in a sustainable manner.
Over recent years she has worked on projects in Malaysian Borneo, the Sultanate of Oman, Iceland and Uzbekistan. In addition she has been an international cruise ship lecturer for 25 years having worked on Cunard, Silversea, Oceania and a number of other cruise lines. Wendy has been a member of the Forum Advocating Cultural and Eco Tourism (FACET) Executive Committee since 2012. She has been Secretary of the Board of the Great South West National Landscape and is a current Board Member of Geoparks Western Australia as well as Secretary of the Australian Geoparks Network.
Wendy is currently working to establish UNESCO Global Geoparks in Western Australia and is involved in a number of projects across the State. Wendy has also worked in Australia and New Zealand in the areas of administration, marketing and natural health. She has marketed a leading Western Australian wine throughout Australia, Japan and Europe and in recent years worked as a Naturopath in natural health and women’s health clinics. In 2018 she was made a Member of the Order of Australia for ‘For significant service to community health, particularly in Western Australia, through support for people living with coeliac disease’.
Brendan Dugan
Brendan currently serves as the Managing Director of Directions Hospitality Consulting with over 30 years of sales and operations experience in Australia and Asia. Brendan has dedicated the last 5 years to training Hospitality professionals in Australia and Internationally. Prior to transitioning to training, Brendan worked in various senior positions including General Manager and Food and Beverage Director.
Brendan possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, and Advanced Diploma’s in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism and Events Management. Brendan is a member of the Australian Institute of Management and the Bali Hotel Association. Brendan serves as the State Chair of Judges for the Restaurant and Catering Association and has judged for the Clubs WA awards for excellence for the last five years. He is a Certified Hotel General Manager (CHGM) from the International Hospitality Institute and has been recently inducted as the Australian Board Member and invited to be on the panel of leading industry representatives in the upcoming Global Hospitality Summit.
Scott Fleming
Scott has enjoyed working in a variety of sectors within travel and tourism, both in government and private enterprise, in Australia and overseas. His work history includes management roles with Flight Centre Travel Group, Accor Hotels and Renaissance Cruise Lines.
Since 2006 Scott has been the Manager at Swan Valley Visitor Centre for the City of Swan. He is responsible for the strategic direction of visitor servicing in the Swan Valley and involved in all areas of tourism. With extensive experience in tourism, staff and financial management, he has the pleasure of leading one of Australia’s most successful and awarded tourism teams.
Scott has been on the board of the Visitor Centre Association of Western Australia, the executive committee of the Swan Valley Tourism Council and is an experienced tourism awards judge with the 7GWN Top Tourism Awards, the Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards and the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.
Paul Grootveld
Paul has been involved in the tourism industry in Perth for more than 25 years. Highlights of his career includes the successful management buy-out of Adventure World in 1990, being a founding Board member of the Australian Amusement, Leisure & Recreation Association, a past Chairman of the Association of Perth Attractions and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Tourism Committee. Paul also chaired the South West Tourism Marketing Committee.
After obtaining a Master of Business Degree from Murdoch University in 2000, he went on to manage Hotham Valley Tourist Railway before taking up the position as CEO of the Swan Bells Foundation in 2001. He retired in early 2013, but has continued to take a keen interest in the tourism industry.
Sally Hollis
Sally is an accomplished tourism and hospitality professional who has held senior roles at State and National level in peak tourism industry organisations over the past 35 years. Sally works with corporate partners, funders and the West Australian community to raise funds and deliver projects that conserve and enhance the unique environmental, cultural and heritage assets of Wadjemup (Rottnest Island).
As a founding Director and National Manager, Sally was instrumental in the development of the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program and was the inaugural CEO at Tourism Council WA.
Sally holds a number of board positions and has shared her knowledge and passion by mentoring tourism businesses under the Federal Governments Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure Program - Tourism Boost, facilitating and delivering Customer Service and Tourism Fundamentals training and lecturing and supervising future tourism professionals in Singapore and Perth for Murdoch University.
Leslee Holmes
Leslee Holmes is a board member of Australia’s Coral Coast and an advisor to Kwelena Mambakort Aboriginal Corporation on Tourism and Economic Opportunities. She is currently the chair of Tennis West Regional working group, which aims to enhance regional tennis in W.A. Leslee is a past Shire President of Dandaragan, former chair of the Turquoise Coast Tourism Association and was the Vice Chair of the Wheatbelt Development Commission. Together with her husband, she owned and operated Cervantes Pinnacles Caravan Park for a decade before working and managing small hotels for the Swan Hotels division of the Swan Brewery.
Ian Johnson
Before retiring in 2023, Ian worked in the WA Public Sector for more than 40 years, mostly at Tourism WA in a variety of roles ranging from Public Relations to Marketing, Product and Regional Development, and Executive Services. Ian also managed the agency’s east coast sales team and coordinated the annual Sir David Brand Awards for Tourism for several years. From 2010 until late 2021, he was a policy advisor to several Tourism Ministers.
Leonore Lyons
Lenore has had a successful career as a senior manager in the not-for-profit, private and education sectors, specialising in strategic planning and business and product development. She has worked in the tourism industry for over 15 years, co-founding an ecotourism business that was inducted into the Western Australian Tourism Hall of Fame in 2015. She currently works as a consultant helping tourism businesses and destination marketing organisations to build capacity and grow the nature-based, trails and adventure tourism market.
Ryan Mossny
Ryan Mossny is the co-founder of Two Feet & a Heartbeat walking tours and Matagarup Zip+Climb. His specialties include tourism product development, product planning, heritage/historical/cultural interpretation, tour guide training, financial sourcing/management, place making and grant application management. He provides these services to tourism organisations, governments and individuals.
Ryan grew up and was formally educated in Canada and attended the University of Saskatchewan studying Chemistry and Commerce. After completing school, Ryan worked for a number of multinational organisations in both science and business related fields.
In 2001 he embarked on an around the world journey that would cement his passion for travel, tourism, heritage and culture. It was at this point he arrived in London and took up a position in the strategy department at Transport for London (TFL).
In 2007, he co-founded Two Feet & a Heartbeat, an organisation dedicated to interpreting history, heritage and culture. More recently Ryan is part of the ownership group of Perth’s newest adventure activity Matagarup Zip+Climb.
Sally Pullin
Sally has a diverse background in tourism and hospitality over a 30 year career. After completing her Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) degree, Sally's early career was spent working up the chain of the International Hotel sector through customer service, accommodation and conference sales management before moving to renown Melbourne caterer Peter Rowland Catering as a Group Venue Sales Manager. In 2007 Sally and her husband relocated to Albany to join her family's premium hosted accommodation business, The Beach House at Bayside, which was inducted into the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame in 2018.
Sally has contributed periods as Board Director for both Australia's South West Regional Tourism Organisation and the Tourism council of WA and has a passion for ensuring invested micro business operators have access to industry resources and an industry voice.
Rod Quartermain
Rod Quartermain has been in the tourism industry as an operator and administrator for nearly 40 years.
He was the Manager of the Tourism and Property Branch for the Western Australian Department of Parks and Wildlife until his retirement in 2017. Since then he has been a part time consultant on a number of ecotourism projects and is Deputy Chair of Australia’s Golden Outback.
His background is as an owner operator of small to medium size businesses in a number of business sectors in many states in Australia and also worked in the import/export sector in London.
He got into tourism in the early 1980’s and has been a cruise boat operator on the Murray River and in Queensland, operated and managed a heritage park in Victoria, a WA Tourism Commission Regional manager in the Gascoyne, CEO of Fairbridge WA and President of the Peel Tourism Association.
Rod joined the then Department of Conservation and Land Management in 1998 and became responsible for tourism industry policy, liaison, licensing, evaluation of commercial tourism proposals, research and marketing and leases. This includes coordinating the successful Naturebank program that identifies opportunities for commercial accommodation development in WA’s parks.
For five years he was chairman of the Tourism and Protected Areas Forum that has representatives from all Commonwealth and State protected area managers and tourism agencies. This group discussed common issues and to look at a consistent approach to the management of tourism in protected areas can be achieved. Since 2021, Rod has been the Chair of Australia’s Golden Outback Regional Tourism Organisation.
Wendy Roach
Wendy has enjoyed an extensive career in the hospitality and tourism sector for thirty years. Her work experience managing hotels, family restaurants and fine dining establishments in Australia and overseas ignited a passion for customer service in the hospitality sector. Wendy established a consultancy business that provided education and training to hospitality management teams, front-of-house staff, and catering personnel. Her industry experience culminated in a 25-year appointment as a Senior Lecturer in Hospitality Management (TAFEWA).
Throughout her career, Wendy has actively maintained a presence in the wine industry, building an extensive knowledge of wines and a network of colleagues who share her passion. Her palate has been put to good use throughout the years. She has undertaken the role of Chief Steward at several WA regional wine competitions and frequently participates on a number of wine panels assessing and judging wines.
Having recently transitioned from the education sector, Wendy now takes on mentoring and guest speaking roles upon request. Her wine consulting business is a platform where she generously shares her knowledge with avid wine lovers. Wendy also serves as a judge for the Restaurant & Catering Industry Association, Clubs WA, WorldSkills Australia, and as a local and international judge for AASCA/World Barista Championships.
Rei Seah
Rei is an experienced international trade and marketing specialist with a history of working in Aviation, Destination marketing, International Education, Sports, and Events across APAC and Oceania regions. Rei grew up in Singapore and in 2001, moved to Australia to pursue a degree in Sports Management. In her current role as Vice President -Market Development with Perth Airport, Rei is responsible for facilitating market development opportunities across a range of industry sectors that ensure long term sustainable viability and commercial success for global aviation partners. Prior to Perth Airport, Rei held senior roles with Tourism Western Australia, Study Canberra and VisitCanberra focused on attracting international visitors, overseas international students, and business events to Australia. During her time as Senior manager - Eastern Markest at Tourism WA, she was fortunate enough to travel widely across WA and worked closely with regional tourism organisations and industry operators on product development, trade distribution, and international market entry strategies. Rei continues to be a passionate advocate of WA through her global inbound connections.
Carroll Selwood
Carroll has 30 years’ experience in the tourism industry spanning both the private and public sectors. Carroll is passionate about tourism in Western Australia and commenced her career working for a Western Australian tour operator before joining Tourism WA. Carroll has been with Tourism WA for over 25 years where she has held a variety of roles including Visitor Centre Manager and has worked across all divisions of the agency including marketing, events, product development and corporate services.
Jim Sharp
Jim Sharp is the former Director General of the Department of Parks and Wildlife, having retired in 2017 after 35 years involved in managing most of Western Australia’s magnificent marine and terrestrial areas. This also included 12 years as Director of National Parks.
Jim’s career has been characterised by a passionate commitment to creating opportunities for people to engage in high quality experiences in natural areas to both ensure a sustainable tourist industry as well as a constituency for their conservation.
He has overseen many major infrastructure developments and initiatives in managing and facilitating tourism in the natural areas of our state. During his involvement and leadership, visitation to our national and marine parks grew dramatically to reach over 17,000,000 visits per year.
Jim is the first honorary life member of the Bibbulmun Track Foundation, having been a board member since its inception as well as a former board member of the Mundibiddi Trail Foundation and a foundation member of the WA Parks Foundation. He was, for more than three decades, also a member of the World Commission on Protected Areas Working Group on Tourism.
Andrew Sharry
Andrew is CEO of Adventure World Themepark and has been involved with that business and the tourism industry in Perth for the past 25 years.
A passionate advocate for the training and development of teams, as well as the visitor experience, Andrew for the past almost 30 years has successfully grown a range of businesses across Australia.
He has experience delivering tourism and leisure attractions on the Gold Coast, in Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne.
Tracy Shea
Tracy Shea has held a range of policy, advisory and leadership roles across State government in environment, conservation, recreation and nature-based tourism during a career spanning 38 years, with the last 10 spent as assistant director in parks and visitor services at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
After retiring from the department in early 2018, Tracy has focused on running her own business Tracy Shea Communications plus her successful short-term accommodation property in Bridgetown. With almost 20 years’ experience in providing short-term accommodation in both Fremantle and Bridgetown, and welcoming travellers from around the world, Tracy is passionate about customer service and maintaining consistently high standards.
In recent years Tracy has also worked in the not-for-profit sector where she developed and activated the Spring into Parks program for the WA Parks Foundation. Tracy is a Park Ambassador for the Foundation and continues to volunteer with programs that showcase the health benefits of spending time in nature. She also volunteers as Secretary of Geoparks WA. A longstanding board member of FACET (Forum Advocating Cultural and Eco-Tourism Inc.), Tracy took over as Executive Officer in July 2020. Tracy was appointed as a Director on the Swan River Trust board in May 2023.
Chad van Heemst
As managing director of Vanguard Media Group, Chad van Heemst (CA, B.Com) has worked extensively to market destinations throughout WA and promote tourism operators through the power of print.
The team at Vanguard have created a holistic approach to print; their mission is to go beyond executing a beautiful print result. They also generate engaging content, use inspiring images and reach your target audience through unique distribution channels. Vanguard is proud to have been a finalist in the Mumbrella Travel Publication of the Year Awards, and continue to produce a range of publications for iconic destinations in WA, including Margaret River/Busselton, Destination Perth, Australia’s Golden Outback, Great Southern, Broome, Carnarvon, Kalbarri, Bunbury and Dwellingup.
Chad has been a member of the Tourism Council of WA Judging Panel for the Top Tourism Town Awards since 2017 and previously worked at Deloitte’s as a manager in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, gaining extensive experience across a broad range of industries.
Louise Vescovo
For over 15 years, Louise has worked across diverse roles in both Local and State Government including events, activation, cultural development and sponsorship. Louise is driven by a strong desire to support positive community outcomes in Perth and WA and recognises the important role tourism plays in economic growth. Louise is currently the Director Event Experience at Tourism WA and oversees the Regional Event Scheme, Metropolitan Events Program and the delivery of ancillary activations and festivals alongside sponsored major events to enhance the event experience for fans, visitors and patrons.
Justin Ward
Justin Ward is the founder and director of Foreward Consultancy, a specialist Hotel Management and Tourism Consulting business. With over 27 years of experience, he has a strong background in developing, owning, and operating independent and franchised accommodation businesses. Justin has expertise in hotel development, business operations, project management, refurbishment, tenure control, strategic planning, financial management, and brand creation.
Previously, Justin held leadership roles at Be. Fremantle, where he was responsible for operating a long-term head lease with the Department of Transport and at several Quest franchise locations throughout Western Australia and Victoria. He successfully negotiated lease terms, developed and acquired businesses, and led high-performing teams, resulting in business performance well above local market levels. Justin also served on the executive of the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour Traders Group for 17 years and holds a Bachelor of Business in Tourism Management.
