Sharon Raguse has been named as Tourism Noosa’s new chief executive officer.
Ms Raguse, currently the Manager Economic Development for East Gippsland Shire Council in Victoria will return to Queensland and start the role in mid-August following an extensive recruitment process.
Tourism Noosa Chair Jeanette Allom-Hill said Ms Raguse brings years of experience to the role.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sharon Raguse as the new CEO of Tourism Noosa. With her extensive experience in the tourism industry and her proven leadership capabilities, we are confident that under her guidance, Tourism Noosa will continue to thrive and build on its success. We welcome Sharon to her new role and look forward to working closely with her to promote Noosa as a premier destination for tourists.”
“On behalf of the Tourism Noosa Board we extend our sincerest gratitude to Susan Ewington for serving as Acting CEO during an important time for the organisation.
“Susan’s contributions over the past 11 months have been invaluable to Tourism Noosa. Her leadership, commitment and expertise were instrumental in enabling the organisation to adapt to the challenges facing the tourism industry and achieve positive outcomes for the Noosa region.
“Susan’s unwavering dedication to the role and the stakeholders of Noosa has been evident throughout her time as Acting CEO. She has been an exceptional leader, navigating the organisation with professionalism, enthusiasm and a genuine passion for Noosa.
“As a Board we have received so much positive feedback from key stakeholders on Susan collaborative approach making a marked difference to our standing across Australia. We look forward to having Susan’s continued efforts making a positive impact for Noosa in her role as Communications Manager,” Ms Allom-Hill said.
As former Manager of Tourism Development with Brisbane Marketing, Regional Director – Tourism and Events Queensland, and General Manager of Falls Creek Ski Lifts in Victoria’s Great Alpine National Park, Sharon brings a depth of knowledge and understanding of various agency and commercial sectors along with extensive leadership, engagement, destination management and commercial business development practise.
Sharon has previously served as a judge for both State and National Tourism Awards and contributed to various State Government Tourism Recovery and Planning Task Forces including Destination Q, G20 Brisbane Summit, QLD Tourism Flood Recovery.
She has represented industry on State Tourism Policy and Advisory Committees and most recently been the driver behind a whole-systems approach to achieve Global Eco Destination Status through Ecotourism Australia for East Gippsland – becoming Victoria’s first accredited destination.
For the past three years Sharon has led the economic recovery efforts of East Gippsland Shire Council in Victoria following the Black Summer bushfires and COVID-19, where as Manager Economic Development she was responsible for a broad portfolio including Agriculture, Business Development, Tourism and Events, as well as local Industry Transition (Forestry and Renewable Energy).
Speaking of her appointment, Sharon said “My love of the great outdoors and a desire to influence positive outcomes for the community in which I live, is an important part of who I am. It’s what drew me to Noosa. This passion has provided my family and I the opportunity to have lived and worked in some of Australia’s most inspiring regional locations.
“I’m delighted to be coming home to one of Australia’s premier tourism destinations, settling the family into Noosa life and reconnecting with industry.”
