Board Director

Tom has a long and successful history in tourism, having co-founded the Great Ocean Road Marketing program and the Great Southern Touring Route, and served as founding General Manager of the Melbourne Aquarium. His career also includes 12 years as a Board Director of Tourism Victoria, Chairmanship of the Country Victorian Tourism Council, and leading the restructure of Regional Tourism Boards across Victoria.

In recognition of his contribution, Tom was named Tourism Achiever of the Year at the 2003 Victorian Tourism Awards and received a Federal Centenary Medal in 2000 for his work in regional tourism and mentoring young professionals.

Now based in Bendigo, Tom chairs Destination Greater Bendigo Loddon and brings this deep tourism and destination marketing experience to the Bendigo Heritage Board.

Adam is an enterprise executive and non-executive director with more than 25 years' experience across banking, wealth management and technology, including senior leadership roles across APAC and 10 years as an AFSL Responsible Manager. He has held P&L accountability for a portfolio generating 25–30% of global group revenue within a $650 million business, driven commercial growth through M&A, including a $60 million-plus acquisition program, and led one of the sector's largest licensee networks, comprising 350 advisers and $16 billion in funds under advice.

Adam has served as a Non-Executive Director of The Bendigo Trust since 2021, including as Deputy Chair and Chair of the Finance & Risk Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Business (Public Relations) from Swinburne University of Technology, has studied digital transformation at Copenhagen Business School, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mesh is an experienced local government leader with more than 20 years' service across community development, libraries, heritage, tourism and cultural programs. As Manager Community Partnerships at Murray River Council, she leads a diverse portfolio spanning community services, volunteers, disability inclusion and community partnerships, with a strong record of engagement and collaboration that strengthens regional communities.

With a background curating exhibitions and delivering public programs, Mesh is passionate about connecting people with local history, stories and sense of place, shaping community-focused initiatives that celebrate heritage while creating inclusive spaces for learning, connection and cultural exchange.

Mesh holds a Bachelor of Arts (Tourism) from RMIT University and a Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies from Deakin University. She joined the Bendigo Heritage board in May 2025, committed to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Michael has had a long association with The Bendigo Trust as a volunteer, principally through his involvement with the Bendigo Tramways since 1972.

In 2006 he retired from teaching in Swan Hill after 32 years of service with the Department of Education. Michael has been a member of the Board since 2007.

Ryan is an experienced lawyer and governance advisor, having practised law for more than a decade in Bendigo and Melbourne across commercial law firms and in-house counsel roles, including at Maddocks, Robertson Hyetts, and most recently as Manager, Governance & Performance at the City of Greater Bendigo.

After working regularly with Bendigo Heritage throughout his time at the City, Ryan jumped at the opportunity to accept a Council-appointed Director role with Bendigo Heritage in late 2023. Ryan has since moved on from the City of Greater Bendigo, now serving as General Counsel at Coliban Water.

Ryan resides locally with his young family.

Stacie is an accomplished executive and non-executive director with extensive experience in customer strategy, brand, marketing, communications and business transformation across financial services, not-for-profit and government sectors.

With more than 18 years' senior leadership experience, she has led strategic growth, organisational transformation and customer-focused initiatives for large organisations, and is recognised for her expertise in strategy, governance and stakeholder engagement.

Stacie holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Business (Marketing and Human Resources) from La Trobe University, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

She lives in Bendigo with her family and is passionate about contributing to the region's economic and social prosperity. Stacie also serves as Chair of the Bendigo Stadium Pty Ltd Board.

Tony is a chief executive and board director with more than two decades in enterprise transformation across the public and private sectors, spanning technology, financial services, marine and emergency services. He has led complex, asset-intensive service delivery organisations, including Vodafone Global Enterprise, Telstra and Goulburn Valley Water, and is now the inaugural Chief Officer of Marine Rescue Queensland.

Tony contributes nationally to boardroom discussion on the risk management of high-risk asset-based operations and on service delivery transformation. He holds a Bachelor of Business Management and a Certificate in Leadership and Strategy, Change Management, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

James has been CEO of Bendigo Heritage since 2020, leading the organisation through significant transformation: navigating COVID-19, building a strong safety and compliance culture, and improving financial sustainability while posting record growth in revenue and visitor numbers. He has delivered major capital works including the $13 million Bendigo Tramways workshop redevelopment and secured federal funding for the Central Deborah Gold Mine Revitalisation project.

Born and raised in Bendigo, James brings close to two decades' experience across community development, state government and the private sector, and at 19 became the youngest councillor in Bendigo's history. He is just as happy at the controls of a tram as he is in the boardroom.