The organisation is currently governed by a Transition Board that is tasked with setting up the new VEP from Daylesford Macedon Tourism.
Dianne Smith commenced as Independent Chair of DCV in May 2026. Dianne is an experienced non-executive director and former CEO bringing years of experience working in the visitor economy, water, public land, and local industry capability sectors.
With leadership roles at the Victoria Tourism Industry Council, Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, Ballarat Tourism and Industry Capability Network Victoria, and as former Deputy Chair of Puffing Billy Railway, Dianne brings deep industry experience and a strong commitment to tourism, events and regional growth.
In addition to taking on this role with DCV, Dianne is currently a Board Director at Central Highlands Water, a member of Zoos Victoria’s advisory Revenue and Growth Committee, and a Club Victoria Ambassador with the Victorian Convention Centre Trust.
Through strong family connections in the region, Dianne spends lots of time in Victoria’s Heartland and enjoys contributing to local businesses and community events.
Central Goldfields Shire
With 25 years’ experience in marketing, management and audience development Emma has spent the last 11 of these in regional and remote communities across Western Australia, Tasmania and Victoria. Here, her focus has been on providing high level strategic approaches to the promotion, development and support of tourism, education, and events as cultural catalysts for change. Emma has a double degree in Commerce and Arts and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. As General Manager Community Wellbeing for Central Goldfields Shire Council, Emma has overseen a number of award winning projects, including the redevelopment of the Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Visitors Centre, and the Shire’s first Indigenous Interpretive Garden, as well as ensuring the successful reinstatement of the Energy Breakthrough event in a post COVID environment.
Hepburn Shire Council
Ron Torres is an experienced leader with a strong background in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and fostering thriving communities. As Director Development and Community, Ron leads initiatives that support sustainable growth, strengthen community wellbeing, and create opportunities for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
Working across a broad portfolio that encompasses community services, development, regulatory services, and place-based initiatives, Ron is passionate about bringing people together to achieve meaningful outcomes. He is committed to delivering projects and strategies that enhance liveability, support economic development, and celebrate the unique character of regional Victoria. “I am privileged to live and work in the region and experience daily what the best of Central Victoria has to offer”.
Prior to relocating to regional Victoria in September 2023, Ron worked at inner-city metropolitan councils in a number of Management and Executive roles including Land Use Planning, Strategic Transport and Sustainability. He holds a Bachelor of Planning and Design, and is a qualified urban planner.
Mount Alexander Shire CEO
Michael Annear commenced his role as Chief Executive Officer in July 2026. He first joined Council in October 2021 as Director Infrastructure and Development.
Michael is an experienced senior leader across local government, international humanitarian work and community-focused organisations, leading strategy and policy, organisational change, community engagement, and improved organisational performance. He is committed to leading a capable, caring organisation that delivers high-quality services and builds community trust.
Before joining Council, Michael held senior roles with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, focused on developing community level resilience and leading response and recovery for disaster and crises events across the African and Asia-Pacific regions.
Michael holds an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering, a Master of Social Science in International Development, a Master of Business Administration, and a Diploma in Humanitarian Diplomacy from the Diplo Foundation
Michael lives within the region and is passionate about leveraging collective action that contributes to increased community wellbeing.
Macedon Ranges Shire CEO
Bernie is a senior executive with extensive and diverse local, state and national leadership experience in the government and not-for-profit sectors, leading large staff teams, strategy, organisational change and working productively with Councillors and Boards.
Bernie commenced as Chief Executive Officer of Macedon Ranges Shire Council in May 2021. Immediately prior to this, he was Director Strategy and Growth at the City of Greater Bendigo between 2016-2021. His work at Greater Bendigo included negotiating and delivering the inaugural launch of Qantas passenger flights between Bendigo and Sydney.
Prior to this, Bernie held the position of Acting Chief Executive Officer at the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA VIC). He also had extensive experience working for the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, and Department of Primary Industries, leading the respective Department’s state-wide regional operations.
Prior to working for the Department, he held senior executive roles with the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales, a livestock peak industry body in Canberra and the New South Wales Farmers’ Association.
Bernie has a wealth of experience in leadership, working with communities and a strong understanding of the opportunities and issues impacting regional Victoria, especially in the Loddon Mallee region. Qualifications include: Master of Public Affairs / Bachelor of Agricultural Science / GAICD.
Central Goldfields Representative
Felicity has broad experience across the creative and tourism economies, in particular meetings, conferences, venues, events and visual arts. Her experience spans the private, public and not for profit sectors where she has worked in local government, small and large venues, galleries and museums, not-for-profits, destination and digital marketing agencies.
Felicity has held key management roles in museums, galleries and art centres, including Bendigo Visitor Centre, Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka, Gallery Lane Cove + Creative Studios in Sydney. As Tourism Services Centre Manager and Creative Industries OMicer for the City of Greater Bendigo, Felicity worked with internal stakeholders; Bendigo Art Gallery, Bendigo Venues and Events, Tourism and Economic Development, UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation and external stakeholders to implement Greater CREATIVE Bendigo, the creative and cultural strategy for Bendigo & the region.
Having relocated to regional Victoria and the Goldfields, Felicity recently set-up a destination venue in the tiny heritage town of Talbot, between Ballarat and Bendigo. With a cafe, wine bar, store and creative space, Fossickers Fine Food & Eatery showcases food, wine, art and craft from the region, featuring local artists, makers, producers and farmers. She is passionate about this incredible region she now calls home and enjoys uncovering new and fascinating stories, people and sharing the food and culture with visitors.
Completing a Masters in Art Curating at Sydney University, a Bachelor of Visual Arts Honours and Bachelor of Business (Tourism Marketing), Felicity continues to develop her skills across the arts and visitor economy.
Mount Alexander Representative
Jacqueline is an advocate for developing the visitor economy. She has a wealth of experience in community development, marketing, events, social justice and food & beverage. She is an active contributor to community and business discussions on issues and opportunities impacting the tourism industry.
Bart Clingin
Chair of the Finance and Risk Committee
Bart is an experienced non-executive director and interim executive focussed on for-purpose organisations. He is a Chartered Accountant and an Australian Institute of Company Director graduate.
Over the past 10 years, Bart has held various interim executive positions and board positions across the public sector and not-for-profit organisations and passionate about the purpose of these organisations. His areas of expertise include finance and accounting, enterprise risk management, governance and transformation.
Cleve Schupp
Board Member
Cleve Schupp is a senior marketing, content and audience growth leader with two decades of experience building brands and driving customer engagement across the energy, banking and arts sectors. Based in the Macedon Ranges for over 15 years, he brings a personal as well as professional stake in regional Victoria to the Destination Central Victoria board.
Cleve spent almost a decade at Tesla, most recently as Global Head of Marketing & Content for Tesla Energy, building the brand and go-to-market strategy for renewable energy products across APAC, EMEA and globally, turning complex products into stories that grew customer awareness, adoption and loyalty at scale. Earlier roles at AGL Energy and NAB sharpened his skills in customer retention, campaign marketing, digital and growth strategy.
He currently applies this experience as Strategic Advisor, Audience Growth at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. This blend of brand, marketing, social media, and events experience, paired with life as a Macedon Ranges local, positions him to help grow visitation, engagement and spend across Central Victoria.
Peter King
Board Member
Peter King has a diverse and extensive professional background having spent 20 years leading multi-national businesses across the Asia Pacific region for consumer brands including Puma, Coleman and Sunbeam. For the last 20 years he has been a leader in the venue and events industry globally most recently as CEO of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Before that leading the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW which was responsible for the management of the largest annual event in Australia (Sydney Royal Easter Show) along with the Showgrounds arena hosting AFL, BBL, music promoters and other content providers.
He is currently the inaugural Chair of the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA).
He is also a strategic advisor to the venue and events industry and is a member of the Victorian Ambassador Network.
Peter played first class cricket for Victoria and remains involved with cricket as the current Chair of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame and on the MCC Cricket sub-committee.