The Tourism Geraldton Mid-West board comprises volunteers whose experience and skills are as diverse as the region they passionately represent.
Chairperson Josh Johnson
With a love of the water and the Abrolhos Islands, Josh identified a sustainable opportunity in the aquaculture industry and in 2016 Abrolhos Island Oysters was established with AIO looking to harvest in the coming 12 months.
Josh’s love of the Abrolhos Islands doesn’t stop there. Driven by a passion to increase accessibility of the islands, with a focus on sustainable tourism Josh entered the tourism industry with the creation of Abrolhos Adventures in 2018.
On his appointment to the TGMW Board, Josh says; I am passionate about the Midwest, passionate about tourism and I am committed to making sure we put our Coral Coast at the forefront of Australian and international audiences and this is why I believe that I can contribute as a board member of TGMW.
Born and raised in the Midwest, Josh also owns Red Dust Holdings, employing more than 100 people in Geraldton and the surrounds.
Vice Chairperson Sarah Hinton
Sarah has over ten years of regional tourism, hospitality and creative experience and has managed and contributed to many exciting tourism initiatives when she resided in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. For example, Sarah has managed the self-drive Golden Quest Discovery Trail, one of the Goldfield’s oldest tourism assets and was part of the project team for Australian Street Award bronze medallist projects, Heartwalk and Little Finds.
Sarah has excellent working relationships with Tourism WA, Tourism Council of WA and many regional tourism operators. Since moving to Geraldton, Sarah has merged her passion for regional development, Aboriginal cultural tourism, public art and creative activities with her role as a peer for a leading event and creative company. Sarah’s role sees her maintaining stakeholder relationships and seeking future partnership opportunities. She has been responsible for a significant increase in contract funding for festival production, public art trails, placemaking and other creative activities.
Sarah and her family moved to Geraldton in late 2020, and her enthusiasm and passion for the region only increase the more she and her family explore the area.
Secretary Lisa Hogger
Lisa is an accomplished and goal-driven Professional with 25+ years’ experience in business management across a wide range of industries operating in both City & Regional areas.
Lisa’s focus is on driving operational improvement to deliver business growth and profitability in a safe and rewarding environment. Lisa is a Diplomatic leader able to inspire and cultivate productive working relationships with employees & business owners.
Before settling in Geraldton in 2018, Lisa and her husband had been sailing the world on their yacht, visiting 22 countries over 6 years.
Lisa is a founding Member of the Batavia Coast Maritime Heritage Association.
Director Tyson Overstone
Tyson Overstone is a well-travelled man. He has lived all over W.A as well as travelling the world attending awesome events in amazing locations. Tyson knows a gem spot when he finds one and feels that Geraldton and the Mid West is one of those so he wants to help others see and experience that.
Tyson has been in the building game for over 20 years, working in commercial, mining and domestic. Ranging from Zorzi mansions on the river in Perth, Rio Tinto management village in Port Hedland, supervising for Dale Alcock’s company to eco-friendly sea container homes.
Tyson has also run/managed bars and restaurants as well as working as a tour operator/guide for Oceanic cruises featuring the Swan River and Rottnest.
Tysons real passion is events, which is why he started Sweet Orange Productions. Since then, him and his team have been involved with some of W.A’s biggest events including Laneway, Blues & Roots, Freo Seafood Festival, Embargo, Gourmet Escape, Southbound, Sets on the Beach, Chevron City to Surf, as well as being the Festival Coordinator for the Ningaloo Whale Shark Festival.
More locally Tyson has been involved in Funtavia, WOW Fest, Geraldton Boating Camping Fishing Show, building the Headspace Therapy Garden as well as putting on the successful River gum Roots n Reggae and Beats on the Green.
Director Vickie Williams
Director Jenny Bunter
Jenny is a long serving member of the Tourism industry in Geraldton and thoroughly enjoys her role at the Geraldton Visitor Centre.
Jenny also represents the Mid-West as a member of Visitor Centre’s WA and is proactive in moulding its future.
Director Dr Howard Gray B.Sc., Dip.Ed., Ph.D.
As a Geraldton resident since 1980, Howard has been captivated by the marine ecosystems and rich maritime history of the west coast of Australia and actively engaged as a researcher, writer, publisher, broadcaster, lecturer and guide on local history, in particular maritime history.
Howard is an active member of local and national maritime heritage organisations and convened the 2019 Balayi-Keep Your Eyes Open Houtman 400 Festival with activities around Australia and in the Netherlands. He is actively involved in the tourism industry as lecturer and guide with Abrolhos Island tour operators and expedition ships along the WA coast from Fremantle to Darwin and to Indonesian destinations. He is also a co-owner/operator of successful Bed and Breakfast in Geraldton.
Independent Director Neville Meyer
Neville Meyer, a seasoned hospitality specialist with 30+ years of global experience, is dedicated to fostering positive change.
Currently a Product/Business Development Coordinator at WAITOC, he spent 16 years in Australia, passionately assisting Aboriginal communities through the Work and Development permit scheme.
Known for his impactful mentorship and coordination roles, Neville applies his research and deep respect for Aboriginal culture to bring about positive change. Adept at transforming challenges into thriving opportunities, he focuses on sustainable development, self-employment, and community growth.
His goal is to be an international voice for Aboriginal culture in the Tourism industry, advocating for dignity and autonomy. Open to diverse conversations, Neville strives for a better future by engaging with Indigenous communities across Australia.
