About Us
Our Organisation
Bowen Tourism and Business is a not for profit organisation whose main role is to promote and showcase our beautiful region and its businesses.
Bowen Tourism and Business operates two information outlets in Bowen - the fully accredited 'Big Mango' Information Centre on the Bruce Highway south of Bowen, and the 'Front Beach Booth' on Bowen's foreshore.
BTB provide professional information and booking services, souvenir and local merchandise retail, destination marketing for our region and membership support.
Bowen Tourism & Business is a led by a board of elected committee members.
Our Board
Jenn Honnery - Chair
Bowen Gumlu Growers Association
Jenn Honnery is the CEO of Bowen Gumlu Growers Association.
Jenn brings many years experience in NFP governance, farming and marketing and a strong understanding of the local and regional tourism industry. Jenn is passionate about promoting Bowen, our beautiful beaches and diverse horticulture sector.
Jenn previously held the role of Bowen Tourism and Business Sales and Marketing coordinator and has a thorough understanding of the organisation at both an operational and strategic level.
Jenn is also on the board of directors of Tourism Whitsundays.
Natalie Lydom - Vice Chair
Palm View Holiday Apartments
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Chloe Bauer - Treasurer
Bird's Fish Bar
Chloe Bauer is the Manager and Director of her family’s owned and operated seafood company, Bowen Fisherman’s Seafood, known as Birds Fish Bar.
The family started Bowen Fisherman’s Seafood in 1982 and Chloe started working at the Co-op ten years ago and added Bird’s Fish Bar.
She is a born and bred local who has done some overseas travelling but has always been drawn back to Bowen.
Chloe is passionate about the fishing industry and is always looking for ways to share knowledge and experience and ways to expand Birds and bring something unique to the community.
Bird’s Fish Bar regularly donates and supports community events and Chloe became involved with Bowen Tourism and Business because she loves showcasing Bowen and all it has to offer.
Michelle O'Regan
PCYC Bowen / Stackleroth Farm
Michelle O’Regan grew up in Bowen, leaving in her young adult years and returning in 2001 working for Queensland Police. In 2011, Michelle was promoted to Sergeant and took on the role of opening and running the PCYC.
The PCYC has been at the forefront of running or supporting many community activities and events over the past 10 years.
Michelle has also supported her partner Belinda over the last 18 years, with their farming business – Stackelroth Farms. It is a small crop farm, specialising in Halloween Pumpkins for the past 20 years and in more recent years growing and wholesale/direct supply of seasonal table vegetables.
Stackelroth Farms is known to be a great supporter of the community. Belinda and Michelle are passionate about educating the community on how food is produced and breaking down barriers between farming and consumers.
They can regularly be found delivering engaging workshops and programs for childcare centres, school children, young people and community groups throughout the season.
Bernie Mackie
Rose Bay Caravan Park
Bernie is the co-owner of Rose Bay Beach Caravan Park in Bowen with Partner Tony Ardente, we purchased the Park in March 2024 and are in the process of renovating it to become a small boutique beachside Caravan Park at Rose Bay.
Tony, my partner, a long-haul truck driver, wanted to leave the industry and buy a business together; we found our piece of paradise, BOWEN.
We are so excited to start our new adventure here, as we can see the vision of what this beautiful Town has to offer for all the travels around the world.
My Background… National Sales Manager & Territory Manager for over 40 years with companies Woolworths, Smiths, Arrnots, Nutra Organics and Lactalis this is where I built my foundation of meeting and Helping others realise and build their business dreams.
My Passion is Outrigging an ocean Sports I have paddled many Events in Hawaii, Cook Island, and the Whitsundays, where it all began, and I would love to see it back here again one day.
I also helped develop a school program for Kids with learning difficulties and elective sports programs at my son's school, and what this did for the children was truly amazing and inspiring they become more engaging with their peers, and their interests develop more this was truly one of my most memorable community moments.
Amanda Brockbank
Meraki Whitsundays
As a passionate small business owner and the face behind Meraki Whitsundays, Amanda has a deep connection with our local community and a strong commitment to promoting its growth. She has more than 10 years’ experience in running a successful café, building customer relationships, and creating a welcoming environment
Amanda is dedicated to supporting local businesses and enhancing our town’s appeal to visitors. She joined the committee to contribute fresh ideas, collaborate with fellow members, and help foster an engaging and vibrant local tourism landscape.
Jilly Paddon
The Cafe - Horseshoe Bay
Jilly Paddon joined the Bowen Tourism and Business committee in November 2024.
She has been running a very successful business in Bowen for more than five years.
Many locals and visitors know Jilly from the Café at Horseshoe Bay – and she previously operated restaurants and cafes in Airlie Beach.
Jilly has extensive experience in hospitality in many places over many years. She joined the committee because she wants to help to promote Bowen.
Erika Schmid
Sicher In Down Under
My name is Erika Schmidt and more than 14 years ago my journey brought me from Austria to Australia. Today I am an Australian citizen.
I not only share my many years of experience in International top management but also my expertise on life in Down Under - with people from Europe, especially from Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
As an Australian insider, I help travellers not only discover this diversity, but also to experience it. I create unique travel plans for all of Down Under. Customised to their personal wishes and needs, travel period and budget for tailor made trips instead of mass tourism.
I’m also the German speaking emergency contact for Australia. My troubleshooter hotline offers fast, Australia-wide immediate assistance in German. Without translation mishaps and with competent and Australia-wide contacts.
The Australian adventure as carefree and safe as possible - that’s my goal! Whether lost in translation or during real emergencies I support travellers in all matters during their time Down Under.
I also offer consultations for young people (work and travel) and their parents to answer all questions, give practical tips and support them in the best possible preparation for their big adventure in Australia.
Invited Representatives
Tim Booth
CEO Tourism Whitsundays
Cr Michelle Wright
Whitsunday Regional Council
Deputy Mayor, Cr Michelle Wright is born and bred in Bowen and lives there with husband Wal and their three children.
This is Michelle’s second term as Councillor Division 4 and has previously worked in administration and is a qualified Swim Teacher and Coach.
She has been actively involved with community groups for many years and taking the next step to playing a role in Council was the natural progression.
Being community minded Michelle is passionate in providing improved liveability and care for families, the elderly and future generations.
She is honoured and proud to have been re-elected at the 2024 Local Government Elections to serve the Whitsunday region community.
Council Representations
- Audit & Risk Committee (proxy member)
- Jangga Consultative Committee
- Local Disaster Management Recovery Subgroup - Human & Social
- Bowen Sporting Complex Committee
Our Staff
Leanne Abernethy - Bowen Tourism Manager
Leanne Abernethy took on the role of Sales and Marketing Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business in May 2021.
Leanne has lived in the Whitsundays for 14 years and is a former Managing Editor of the Whitsunday Times and Whitsunday Coast Guardian newspapers.
Before making the transition to tourism, Leanne spent 30 years in the publishing industry as a journalist, editor, manager, sub-editor, designer and multi-media director for newspapers, in NSW, the ACT and then Queensland.
She is passionate about Bowen and the greater Whitsundays region and believes tourism is everyone’s business.
Leanne is committed to promoting and marketing Bowen and to ensuring our thousands of visitors know what is on offer in the region and have a wonderful tourism experience.
Glenn Womal - Visitor Services Coordinator
Glenn Womal joined Bowen Tourism and Business in 2018 as a sales consultant.
Glenn is a long-term Bowen resident who was promoted to Visitor Services Co-ordinator in 2022.
She is very knowledgeable about all tours and accommodation options in Bowen and the greater Whitsunday region.
Glenn is also in charge of merchandising at the Big Mango Visitor Information Centre and has been responsible for the expanding range of merchandise and local produce on offer.
Cindy Tonks - Retail and Sales Consultant
Cindy Tonks is our Sales Assistant and joined the Bowen Tourism and Business team in January 2024.
She works fulltime and loves coming to work.
Cindy moved to Bowen with her husband from the Central Coast of NSW in 2023 and absolutely loves it.
Outside of work, Cindy loves checking out the local area and has been active in parkrun and she also enjoys an early morning walk or run before work.
Cindy loves meeting the visitors and is very passionate about the region.
Casual Staff
Trudy Starkey – Sales Consultant
Melissa Beuzeville - Sales Consultant
Kate Mackie - Sales Consultant
Our Volunteers
Margie Hurst, Pam Skinner, Janice Germain, Marie Bailey, Steve (Fish) Fisher, Anne Mason, Vivian & Kevin Clark, Mark & Anne Steen, Warren and Kym Hubner, Wendy Jensen, Ruthie Carter-Crump, Toy Cook, Geoff Davey, Trudy Starkey, Dave Blundell