Tourism WA board appointments

Tourism Minister Kim Hames has announced that Kate Lamont has been reappointed for a further 12-month term as chairman of the Board of Tourism WA.

The State Government has also appointed hotel owner and proprietor of Sandalford Wines, Peter Prendiville, to fill the board vacancy left by the resignation of Dixie Marshall in May.

"Kate Lamont has been an extremely hard working, effective and visionary chairman of the Board of Tourism WA for the past five years and I have asked her to stay on for another year," Dr Hames said.

"These are challenging but exciting times for tourism in Western Australia and I believe it is vital that there be stability in the leadership of the Board of Tourism WA as it implements its new strategies.

"Tourism WA received record funding of $81.7million in the May State Budget and the agency is very well placed to achieve its goal of doubling the value of the tourism industry in this State to $12billion by 2020."

Mr Prendiville has been appointed for a two-year term as a commissioner of the Board of Tourism WA, restoring the board to full strength with 10 commissioners.

"I am very pleased that a person of Peter Prendiville's vast experience and success in tourism and business has agreed to join the board," the Minister said.

"The board is a deliberate mix of professional people from within and outside the tourism industry, and Peter's experience as a hotel owner and operator and with multi-award winning Sandalford Wines will complement perfectly the skill set of the rest of the board.

"Currently the board has expertise in small business, events, law, marketing, corporate governance, travel trade, training, entrepreneurships and hotel operations."

Ms Lamont's term as chairman has been extended until June 30, 2012, while Mr Prendiville will commence his two-year term on September 1, 2011.

Minister's office  - 9222 8788

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Kate Lamont was appointed to the board of Tourism WA in May 2004 and then as its chairman in July 2006.  She was also appointed to the board of Tourism Australia in July 2009 and as deputy chairman in 2010.

Ms Lamont has more than three decades experience in food and wine tourism in WA. She is an operating partner in the Lamont family business, which operates wine production and sales with restaurants in the Swan Valley, Margaret River, Perth CBD and Cottesloe.

She has represented hospitality and tourism interests on the WA Government's Skills Formation Taskforce, which recommended significant changes to trade training in 2007.  

Ms Lamont was on the National Restaurant and Caterers Board's Industry Action group concurrently with her similar responsibility on the National Institute for Skills Excellence Board.  In recognition of her contributions to the industry, the Restaurant and Caterers Institute of Western Australia awarded Ms Lamont its highest accolade in 2007, membership of its Hall of Fame.

Ms Lamont is also a director of the Committee for Perth and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia.

Peter Prendiville has been the owner and/or operator of more than 40 hotels in a career spanning more than 35 years.  Mr Prendiville has opened various corporate entities such as the Esplanade Fremantle, Langley (now Mecure), Kalbarri Beach Resort and Margaret River Hotel, to name a few.  He currently owns several hotels, including Hotel Rottnest, Karratha International Hotel and the Tradewinds Hotel in Fremantle.

Mr Prendiville is also the owner of Sandalford Wines in the Swan Valley and Margaret River. Sandalford has won numerous categories at the State Tourism Awards, including the Sir David Brand Award, Best Tourism Winery, Best Significant Tourist Attraction and Best Significant Festivals and Events.

Mr Prendiville has been involved in Notre Dame University Australia since its inception and, as well as being a trustee and director, he is also the deputy chancellor.

He has also been involved in the oil and gas industry and has sat on several public company boards.