General News
30 October, 2024
Rodeo CEO to continue as chair of Outback tourism organisation
Natalie Flecker will remain the chair of the Outback Queensland Tourism Association.
Mount Isa Rodeo CEO Natalie Flecker will remain as the chair of the Outback Queensland Tourism Association after last week’s AGM, although one Isa Rodeo Ltd board member has stepped down.
Gary Murray resigned as the North West representative on the OQTA board as he plans to become a “full-time tourist”.
Some members of the OQTA expected Ms Flecker to step down as the chair after the organisation she led went into voluntary administration, however, she was voted back in as chair last Wednesday.
Replacing Mr Murray on the OQTA board was his long-time business partner Michelle Valinoti, who is a director of Mount Isa Coaches, North West Tours and co-owns the Sunset Tourist Park in Mount Isa with Kylie Rixon.
Ms Valinoti was also a former owner of Adels Grove near the Lawn Hill Gorge, winning a large number of tourism awards in the time she ran the business.
She said it was a no-brainer to join the Outback tourism group.
“I was in the right place to be able to continue on what (Gary) was doing and I’m very passionate about tourism in Mount Isa,” Ms Valinoti told North West Weekly.
“There’s so much we can do to keep boosting tourism.
“I just thought I’ve got a bit of time so I’ll throw my hat in the ring and have a go.”
Ms Valinoti said despite a slow start to the year, the 2024 tourism year wasn’t all that bad.
“It was very slow to start but then it picked up,” she said.
“We were really good at the caravan park and we’re still going strong, although numbers have slowed down, of course.
“I thought the police did a good job with the youth crime and I know that some people might not agree but we thought crime was a lot lower this year.”
Ms Valinoti said Sunset Tourist Park engaged its own security for the Mount Isa Show and Mount Isa Rodeo periods, which she thought made a difference.
“That’s normally when we have a lot of trouble because kids are looking for money,” she said.
“We tell all of our visitors that they can’t steal your car if they can’t find your keys and that has really helped.
“I thought the comments on social media were much better this year – last year it was shocking – people were saying they were too terrified to stay in Mount Isa.”
Ms Valinoti said she was eager to use her time on the OQTA board to promote the North West.
“I think we have some great events in our region that tourists look forward to each year,” she said.
“When we get it right, every event and every community has good numbers across the board.”