About Jan

A unique mix of experience in Business and Management; Community Development and Renewal; Organisational Development, Marketing and Promotion as well as Local Government, supported by Tertiary qualifications provides Jan with the expertise to successfully work with Government, Community and Business at many levels.

Jan’s background in Tourism includes industry development and destination marketing. She has served as a Director and Chairman of Tourism Organisations for over 18 years including: Cooloola Regional Development Bureau and Gympie Cooloola Tourism (LTOs) as both Director and Chairman; Tourism Sunshine Coast (now Visit Sunshine Coast) RTO as a Director; and Mary Valley Country Tourism Inc in leadership executive roles. 

Jan currently sits on the Regional Development Association Wide Bay Burnett Committee (RDA) which is a Federal Government network of committees made up of local leaders who work with all levels of government, business and community groups to support the economic development of their regions.

A successful grants writer and project developer in her own right, Jan has also chaired and overseen State/Local Government Grant Funds and has a valuable and in-depth knowledge of what makes a successful submission. She provides workshops in this area as well as writing grants and business award submissions. 

Jan has a successful background in Business and Events Management having recently been engaged to reestablish a large tourism venue as a unique disability resort. She has managed an Events & Conference Centre, established and managed multiple functions, forums and festivals. 

In addition to her experience on the ground, Jan has a Graduate Diploma in Community and Regional Development and has presented several papers at National and State conferences on Planning, Community and Cultural topics.  She is passionate about working with business and organisations to provide the environment in which they can develop and become more sustainable.  Jan also has expertise in community renewal and place making, she understands community structures, access and equity issues.

A competent public speaker, Jan’s presentation and facilitation skills are excellent.  She has represented Local Government and organisations at conferences, functions, on Television and Radio, and has hosted many workshops and forums. Jan’s Tertiary research into Regional Development also spans policies and frameworks established at a Federal and State level and how they compare to delivery of initiatives locally as well as the roes and effectiveness of current regional structures in Queensland and Australia. 

Jan’s background in Community Engagement exists at both Community and Government levels over a lengthy period.  Jan was invited to the inaugural Local Government of Queensland (LGAQ) Community Engagement Team formed in 2005 to develop responses to failing community opinion of Local Government communication.  Jan has also been involved in developing responsive strategies and providing advice to State and Local Government for Government/Community Engagement (CE) issues. She was invited to present to the State Department of Infrastructure Major Projects Team on engagement practices for major projects. She was also invited to participate on the Community Engagement Advisory Panel in the rewriting of the Local Government Act 2009. Jan is a passionate communicator and achieves high level outcomes for stakeholders in conversations and has also been involved with internationally renown Ernesto Sirolli in his Enterprise Facilitation processes. She is able to develop and deliver engagement strategies to achieve your required outcomes.

Jan is an invited life member of the Golden Key International Honour Society through Monash University.