Woodbry to rev up HOTA

THE woman responsible for Supercars’ lucrative corporate hospitality program has been appointed to the board that oversees the Home of the Arts (HOTA) cultural precinct.

In an email to councillors, Gold Coast City Council CEO Dale Dickson announced he had appointed Tracey Woodbry, effective August 27 to June 30, 2022.

As Supercars’ corporate experiences GM, Ms Woodbry oversees the hospitality program for more than 16 events a year in Australia and New Zealand.

A former state manager for Ticketek, her previous experience includes senior roles at Sheraton, IMG and Billabong International.

She is a member of the Gold Coast Mayoress Charity Foundation’s committee and over- sees the delivery of its annual charity ball.

The HOTA board is chaired by Helpmann Award-winning singer, writer, artistic director and arts advocate Robyn Archer with deputy chair Kate Brennan, a former CEO of Melbourne’s Fed Square Pty Ltd.

Ms Woodbry joins serving board members Airlie Maclachlan, a director of HR consultants Ukoo – Complete People Solutions; Mantra Group COO Tomas Johnsson; chartered accountant, registered company auditor and company director Cameron Henry; and Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira.

Ms Woodbry’s appointment follows former director Steve Romer’s decision to resign from the HOTA board to concentrate on his new role as COO of the Byron Bay Bluesfest and Bluesfest Touring.

The council’s representative on the HOTA board, Division 8 area councillor Bob La Castra, yesterday confirmed he stepped down from the board last month to avoid any potential or perceived issues in the wake of reforms introduced by the State Government.

Mayor Tom Tate recently stood aside as the council’s representative on the Gold Coast Waterways Authority board.

“My position on the Special Budget committee could be problematic with the new laws now – they are just so much stricter than they were,” Cr La Castra said. “They’re not conducive to councillors sitting on the boards of a controlled entity, which HOTA is.

“I’m also on the Destination GC board but for the moment I’m staying on there as it is not a controlled entity.”