Page 29 - Tropic Magazine Issue 35

TROPIC • PROFILES

Movers

and shakers

NEW LEADERS
Tropic keeps you across some
of the movements in local
senior roles.

HOLDING THE HELM LEARNING CURVE BUSINESS BOSS
Virginia Edwards is the new manager of After 12 years as a Cairns Councillor – Enver Selita has been elected unopposed
The SuperYacht Group Great Barrier Reef. and after having a crack at state politics to the role of Cairns Chamber of
She recently joined the not-for-profit – Linda Cooper has become the new Commerce President, following in the
group after five years with Cairns General Manager of Study Cairns. footsteps of Sally Mlikota. Previously
Aquarium and Reef Research Centre, The organisation is the region’s peak Vice-President, Enver runs The
where she was the Sales and Marketing international education and training Business Centre Cairns, a partner of the
Manager. Virginia brings a wealth of industry body, but with borders closed Commander telecommunication brand.
destination marketing experience, cruise due to the pandemic, it’s been a rough The long-term local grew up on a farm
ship itinerary planning and tourism couple of years. Linda’s appointment west of Mareeba. “Local people, local
industry knowledge. She’s replaced signals a renewed confidence in the knowledge, local success” is his mantra.
Joanne Drake, who’s now a Luxury sector. “It is an organisation that has
Yacht Consultant. built a brilliant reputation, based on the
“Joanne Drake has done an outstanding hard work of the Executive Committee, MORE: cairnschamber.com.au
job of steering the group over the and attracting 32,000 international
previous five years and been instrumental students to Cairns (pre-COVID!) per
in harnessing growth through some of year,” Linda said.
the most difficult times our industry “The significance of the international
has faced,” said SuperYacht GBR student market as an economic driver in James Cook University’s new
Chair Kathleen Ferguson. “We now North Queensland is incredible, Vice-Chancellor Professor
look forward to welcoming Virginia to and I look forward to the exciting Simon Biggs has now started
continue promoting our incredible region times ahead with borders reopening to work in his new role.
as a premier SuperYacht destination for international travel.” Professor Biggs
cruising and maintenance.” Linda started her new role in March. succeeds Professor
Sandra Harding,
who announced her
MORE: superyachtgroup.com MORE: studycairns.com.au retirement last year.

29 • tropicnow.com.au