The inaugural Board of Directors has been appointed for South Australia’s Mid North and Yorke Tourism Zone.

As part of the South Australian Tourism Commission’s plan for strengthening regional tourism, the first new Destination Management Zone is being piloted across the Mid North, Yorke Peninsula, Clare Valley, and Southern Flinders Ranges. The new entity is being established to leverage greater resources and operational efficiencies to better support tourism operators and the industry in the areas of business capability and product development, with each region maintaining its identity.

The new Board will provide strategic direction, foster partnerships across communities and support sustainable tourism growth throughout the region. The appointed Directors bring a wealth of regional knowledge, leadership experience, and a shared commitment to advancing tourism:

• Sandy Verschoor (Chair)
• Anne Minion
• Angela Ruddenklau
• Bridget Johns
• Belinda Heinrich
• Dylan Strong
• John Bell

This diverse group will ensure the new entity reflects local priorities through the implementation of regional Destination Management Plans (DMPs) while aligning with broader tourism strategies for South Australia.

The development of the Clare Valley, Southern Flinders Ranges and Yorke Peninsula DMPs is currently in progress, with a broad range of stakeholder engagement carried out. This strategic document will outline the vision, goals and actions necessary to manage and enhance a destination’s tourism offerings sustainably, informing priorities and actions that will be overseen by the new Board.

As a result of the establishment of South Australia’s Mid North and Yorke Tourism Zone, the tourism contract for Clare Valley and Southern Flinders Ranges will be transitioning from RDA Yorke and Mid North into the new entity over the next few months.

RDA Yorke and Mid North will continue to support local businesses and stakeholders, including those in the tourism sector. Examples of this support include assistance with business plans, grant applications, economic modelling, feasibility studies, support accessing skills training, workforce development and advocacy on regional priorities and issues.

For further information on this, please contact RDA Yorke and Mid North CEO, Daniel Willson, at ce*@******************om.au or 0488 557 656.

Transition Contacts:

Operators can reach out to the contacts below while the tourism support function transitions:

• Regional Tourism Manager, Jordan Martin, jm*****@******************om.au or 0412 986 071
• Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North, general business support
  • Alicia Callery, ac******@******************om.au
  • Muriel Scholz, ms*****@******************om.au
  • Tyson McLean, tm*****@******************om.au
• South Australian Tourism Commission: Dylan Beach, Destination Development Manager, Dy*********@****ov.au
• Workshops, training and industry support: Tourism Industry Council SA
• Help with the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse: su*****@******om.au

Pictured L–R: Bridget Johns, Anne Minion, Angela Ruddenklau, Ms Sandy Verschoor (Chair), Dylan Strong, Belinda Heinrich, John Bell.