Norris Carter and Wendy Morris among new faces to step into key roles on tourism board


There have been a number of changes at Tourism Tropical North Queensland with new directors and a new chairwoman coming on board.

North Queensland Airports chief executive Norris Carter was appointed as a director of the TTNQ board at its meeting in Cairns today and new general directors Sam Ferguson and Craig Pocock were also welcomed to the board after their election at the Annual General Meeting on October 20.<strike></strike>

Previous chairman Max Shepherd stepped down at the end of his three-year term and the board confirmed the appointment of Wendy Morris as chairwoman.

Cairns South Zone representative Ross Steele was re-elected as deputy chairman.

Mr Carter comes to the board with extensive experience in the airline and airport industry with Qantas, Auckland Airport as well as Cairns and Mackay airports, with Ms Morris saying his appointment would add a vital skillset to the board.

“Aviation is the funnel for visitation to Tropical North Queensland and a key plank for economic success for the region,” she said.

“If the TTNQ Board can understand the drivers and nuances of aviation, we can better align our destination marketing to ensure sustainable air routes.”

Mr Carter said he was looking forward to contributing to TTNQ and growing tourism within the region.

Ms Morris thanked Mr Shepherd for his service to TTNQ during his 50-year career in the region's tourism industry.

“Max has been a stalwart and mentor for many in tourism, myself included, with a canny ability to think business decisions through,” she said.

“His steady hand on the wheel at world-class operations including Quicksilver and Skyrail has complemented brilliant marketing coups including President Bill Clinton’s trip to the Great Barrier Reef and the Olympic torch’s first swim underwater at Agincourt Reef.

“A humble man with a wry sense of humour, Max will be missed by every one of us, but we hope he continues to visit and make sure we’re ‘doing it right’.”

Ms Morris has previously served on the TTNQ board as well as the Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree, Tourism and Events Queensland and Advance Cairns boards and has extensive experience with tourism operations within the region.

Also serving on the TTNQ Board are Tropical Tablelands/Remote Zone director Ghislaine Gallo, general director Russell Boswell, Cairns North Zone representative Sheena Walshaw, general director Todd Parker, general director Peter Woodward and Southern Zone director Mark Evans.