Sad goodbye: Kathryn Mackenzie OAM will be stepping down as chief executive officer of Echuca Moama Tourism in July after five years.
Photo by
Cath Grey
After five years as Echuca Moama Tourism chief executive officer Kathryn Mackenzie OAM has signalled to the board she will depart the role in July.
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Ms Mackenzie began in the chief executive role in July 2017 and has played a key role in the marketing and visitor servicing of our tourism industry.
Echuca Moama Tourism chair John Hall commended Ms Mackenzie on 28 years in the tourism industry and her Order of Australia, which she received in 2021 in recognition for her contribution to tourism.
“Kathryn's wealth of knowledge and experience has empowered our operators and grown our visitation significantly,” Mr Hall said.
“Working with Kathryn has been one of the most enjoyable career opportunities I've ever had.
“To not only see her leadership and work ethic first hand, but also to engage in strategic and brand discussions and learn from her.
“The tourism industry in Echuca Moama and surrounds will miss her energy and enthusiasm enormously.”
“Her great leadership to the industry will be missed at Echuca Moama Tourism,” he said.
Murray River Paddlesteamers director Craig Burgess has also extended thanks on behalf of MRPS to Ms Mackenzie’s contributions to tourism.
“I first met Kathryn in 2016 and was immediately impressed by her enthusiasm in connecting Bendigo to Echuca and working collaboratively together,” he said.
“Echuca was very lucky to attract Kathryn as our tourism CEO in 2017.
“Her leadership and vision, not to mention her enormous work ethic which is beyond loving the job, will be sadly missed and hard to replace.
“Kathryn is a living legend of the Victorian Tourism industry and she leaves a lasting legacy, to which we say thank you. We wish her and Max all the very best.”
Ms Mackenzie said the decision to step down from the CEO role hadn’t come lightly.
“There is plenty more work to do for our local tourism industry, however it's the right time for me as I plan to take on some ‘passion projects’, which I have placed on hold over many years,” she said.
Some of Ms Mackenzie’s career highlights have been working with the City of Greater Bendigo developing and marketing their arts and cultural brand, empowering the Echuca Moama Tourism team, supporting the local industry to “turn the bubble green” during border restriction periods, and, of course, being honoured with an Order of Australia.
Ms Mackenzie will depart from the chief executive position on July 11.
Until then, she will continue to work hard to ensure the local tourism industry is well supported, and destination marketing is as strong as ever.
Driving force: In 2021, Kathryn Mackenzie (far right) was one of the driving voices trying to turn the border bubble green, along with Murray River Resort owner Steve Shipp, Moama Bowling Club marketing manager George Santos, and Rich River Golf Club marketing manager Paul Lavars.
Photo by
Cath Grey
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