Our Executive Team
Ross Contarino
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed July 2008
Ross Contarino is a born and bred North Queenslander having started his days in the Herbert Valley just east of Ingham. Ross followed his family into the sugar cane industry and became heavily involved in not only the industry but in the local community.
After a term as a Councillor with Hinchinbrook Shire he left farming to become involved in regional development and held management positions with the Development Bureau of Hinchinbrook and Cardwell Shires, the North Queensland Economic Development Board and The North Queensland Area Consultative Committee. Through these positions he gained a strong appreciation of many of the industries across the region and made many lasting contacts.
Before assuming the CEO role with Advance Cairns, Ross was previously the North Queensland Regional Manager for AusIndustry.
Ross has an MBA from James Cook University and is heavily involved in Sport, particularly with his position as an executive member of the North Queensland Sports Foundation. He is a keen Squash Player and avid motorcyclist.
Ross has been very involved in community associations such as:
- Townsville Branch of the Australian Institute of Management
- The Outback Players Theatre Group
- President of the Townsville & District Motorcycle Riders Association & Charity Toy Run Convener
- A Board Member of the Catholic Education Finance Committee
- A Life Member of the North Queensland Sports Foundation.
Lianne Brown
Corporate Communications Officer
Lianne has made the move from CityLife Magazine where she was the Editor of the monthly publication.
Lianne is an established journalist in the Cairns community having previously held the position of Talk Show Producer for John MacKenzie at Easy Mix 846AM radio, and as a reporter for the Innisfail Advocate.
She brings with her an extensive knowledge of the local community and a passion for the Cairns region and its future.
Michelle Jago
Senior Administration Officer
Michelle brings with her an extensive background in administration that spans more than 20 years, and is also well-versed in the field of event management having co-ordinated a variety of high-ranking national and international conferences.
Michelle recently spent a year in China teaching event management to students at a tertiary level, and continues to pursue her love of the Chinese language.
Margaret Darveniza
Regional Development Officer
Margaret is a born and bred Tropical North Queenslander having spent most of her life in the Innisfail area. After careers as a primary school teacher and vocational trainer, Margaret’s passion for the community led her into work as a community and business development consultant.
Margaret’s role as the Regional Development Officer with Advance Cairns is a partnership with the Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) and involves facilitating strategic economic development initiatives across the Cassowary Coast, Tablelands and Cook local government areas and the Yarrabah and Wujal Wujal aboriginal councils.
Margaret, an avid student, is currently undertaking an MBA to add to her existing M Ed and vocational qualifications. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently holds the Chair of Skill 360 Australia.
Nola Craig
Food Project Officer
After many years as a hotel executive, Nola followed her passion for food into economic development of the food industry in TNQ with Cairns Regional Economic Development Corporation (CREDC), where she initiated agri-food tourism in 2001.
She has a strong marketing and concept development background and recently completed a pilot project with the Queensland Seafood Industry Association to brand and market the seafood of the region with Queensland Catch, which is now being rolled out throughout Queensland.
Nola is currently managing Advance Cairns’ TQUAL project to develop and position TNQ as an emerging agri-food tourism destination.
Nicky Swan
Sustainable Regions Project Officer
Sydney born, Daintree resident Nicky Swan has many years of experience working in the sustainability field in Europe and is eager to share that experience and expertise with the Sustainable TNQ group, and its committee.
Her previous experience extends from working as an environmental consultant, to running a company promoting environmentally innovative products.
In 1994 she became one of the first women in the world to walk to the North Pole, which is an experience that heightened her awareness of the need for environmental action. On her return she incorporated this experience into her environmental work with a particular focus on sustainability within the economic forum.
While Nicky shares her time between Cairns and the Daintree, the time spent in the world heritage region has heightened her interest in alternative energy sources.
Sue Fairley
Project Officer
Sue brings to her role an extensive rural background having been a farmer on the Tableland for 18 years.
Sue is very passionate about working with Tropical North Queensland’s primary producers and food processors and has been instrumental in initiating and being involved in many successful programs and projects, training opportunities, and funding grants for the region.
Her forte is the ability to link people to the most effective information, contacts and resources, and she is keen to ensure the region is recognised for its diverse quality produce and products.