About Visit Riverina

Visit Riverina is the tourism body for The Riverina. Working alongside Destination Riverina Murray, Visit Riverina is a marketing collective, promoting experiences, attractions and destinations across the Riverina. Visit Riverina is a member-based organisation. 2020/2021 members are:

  • Bland Shire Council
  • Carrathool Shire Council
  • Coolamon Shire Council
  • Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
  • Hay Shire Council
  • Leeton Shire Council
  • Lockhart Shire Council
  • Murrumbidgee Council
  • Narrandera Shire Council
  • Snowy Valleys Council
  • Temora Shire Council

The Board

Visit Riverina is governed by a board of directors from across the region, with a mix of representatives from Councils and industry. Our current directors are:

Brent Lawrence (Chair), Leeton Shire Council

Brent Lawrence brings over 15 years local government workplace experience across a range of tourism, events and communications portfolios. 

He brings to the Visit Riverina Board a proven ability to successfully deliver major projects across various areas within local government, 9 years’ experience managing Visitors Information Centres and a strong understanding of regional tourism product, destination marketing and events. 

His strong commitment and professionalism saw him formally acknowledged in August 2017 when he was awarded the RH Dougherty “Outstanding Individual Contribution in Communications Award”, as part of the 2017 NSW Local Government Week Awards. 

This award recognised his impact and achievements in implementing a wide range of communications platforms to significantly improve internal communications with staff and councillors as well as external communications for Council with the community.

Matt Lucas, The Coffee Pedaler (Deputy Chair, Industry Director)

Miriam Crane (Treasurer), Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council

Rachel Whiting, Regional Development Australia Riverina (Secretary)

Rachel has a passion and enthusiasm for development in regional and rural communities. Rachel’s has worked in three states in mostly regional areas including Central Queensland, the Pilbara in WA and the Riverina and Hunter Valley, NSW.

Whilst working in business development in the Pilbara, Rachel assisted with the start-up of the first Aboriginal owned and run tour business. Ngurrangga Tours have now been featured on ABC’s Back Roads, in The Western Australian, WAITOC marketing campaigns, and receive top reviews on Trip Advisor. During this period much of Rachel’s work consisted of championing the Pilbara region as a tourism location.

As Director of Regional Development for Regional Development Australia, Riverina, Rachel works with and on behalf of the RDA Riverina Committee, with all levels of government, community and industry to assist in growing the Riverina and ensuring prosperity for the region. RDA Riverina’s broad and diverse skills base and demonstrated networks and alliances is its greatest strength. RDAs are champions for local communities, working towards developing local solutions to local problems.

Matthew Pete, Whitton Malt House (Industry Director)

As business manager of the Whitton Malt House, part of the Southern Cotton businesses, Matthew is a young up and coming professional with a passion for tourism and the Riverina. Leeton born and bred, Matthew has experience across all facets of business management – strategic planning, business development, tourism, and event management as well as communications and marketing activities.

Matthew started as a trainee at Southern Cotton in Grower Services and Tourism and Marketing, developing their already established tourism offering into one of the Riverina’s best educational agricultural experiences. Matthew was recognised as a regional finalist at the 2019 Murray-Riverina Business Awards in the ‘Outstanding Young Employee’ category as well as a finalist at the 2019 Riverina Region NSW Training Awards for ‘Trainee of the Year’ for his work at Southern Cotton.

Completing a Bachelor of Business majoring in Public Relations at Deakin University whilst working full-time allows him to keep raising the bar and gaining professional experience.

Marina Uys, Bland Shire Council

Toneale O’ Connell, Narrandera Shire Council

Laura Munro, Coolamon Shire Council

Destination Management Plan – https://riverinamurray.com.au/resources/

Memberships

Visit Riverina is a member-based organisation that aims to promote the Riverina and encourage visitation. If you are a Council within the Riverina and are interested in joining Visit Riverina, please contact the Executive Officer on executive.officer@theriverina.com.au.

Please note: Only Councils within Riverina Local Government Areas can become members.

Partnerships

Visit Riverina works with Destination NSW, Destination Riverina Murray and member Councils to promote destinations, products and experiences in The Riverina.

If you are an organisation or business interested in working with Visit Riverina, please contact the Executive Officer on executive.officer@theriverina.com.au.