By ALENA HIGGINS
MICHAEL Bourke has been elected unopposed as the president of Granite Belt Wine and Tourism (GBWT) following its annual general meeting on 28 August.
Michael and Ann Bourke’s Jester Hill Winery is one of the six Granite Belt wineries that have attained five-star status in the latest James Halliday Wine Companion.
Mr Bourke, who takes over from Bill James, of Creek Cottages in Ballandean, said it was a “privilege” to represent GBWT members.
He said the first task was to recruit “a couple more directors to balance the board” and develop a marketing plan to take the entire “destination” forward.
“Our marketing budget is tight so we need to make every dollar deliver for the region,” Mr Bourke said.
“We need to work closely with the Regional Tourism Authority and no-one is sure of what lies ahead in terms of the planned consolidation between GBWT and Warwick Tourism and Events, but we still need to ensure the Granite Belt retains its own identity.”
Also elected to the board was Peter O’Reilly, CEO of the Queensland College of Wine Tourism.
Mr O’Reilly is a recent arrival to the Granite Belt and brings extensive experience in tourism accommodation, development and marketing.
Both Tony Hassall, of Just Red Wines, and Sam Costanzo, of Golden Grove Estate, were re-elected.
Mr Hassall, who is a qualified accountant and former wine industry development officer for the DPI at Applethorpe, takes on the role of treasurer, while Mr Costanzo will continue his role as chair of the wine industry sub-committee.
Peter Gray of Wine Discovery Tours and Brad Hutchings of Savina Lane Wines did not face re-election as they were midway through their two-year terms.
GBWT’s new marketing manager Guy Cantrel confirmed there were still “two or three” seats on the board available to be filled and encouraged people with the right credentials to put their hand up.
He said he “was keen to see any competent person” come forward when asked if he would like to see a female represented on the board.
“No-one is sure of what lies ahead in terms of the planned consolidation between GBWT and Warwick Tourism and Events, but we still need to ensure the Granite Belt retains its own identity.” – Granite Belt Wine and Tourism’s new president Michael Bourke.
