Tourism Whitsundays director admits "Lack of Unity"

This letter was sent by a new director of Tourism Whitsundays, Kelli Medford. It is presented here in it's entirety. This correspondence was in reply to our story of the premature resignation of the Chair of Tourism Whitsundays last month.


"That is the most biased and inaccurate reporting I have ever read1. So you are solely basing the reason for the drop in tourism to the region on one person, Lyn Gregson2. So it has nothing to due(sic) with the drop in flight numbers3, economy4, massive weather patterns5, lack of unity amongst operators6?? It's purely just Lyn Gregson's fault7. What an idiot8!! She has done more for this region and for tourism than any other one person I can think of9 in the 13 years I have been in this town10. If you don't know the facts or can't bring yourself to research11 then dont call yourself a journalis(sic)12 or even a blogger - your(sic) not qualified13."


My response.

1 Well, that's your opinion.

2 No. But the Chair is supposed to be in charge, ie: The Buck Stops Here. Credibility also comes into play - (see bottom).

3 Of course flight numbers have played a major part in the drop in tourism numbers. But it is also one of Tourism Whitsundays responsibilities to lobby the airline companies to retain our air services here. During Ms Gregson's reign, we lost all direct flights from Proserpine to Sydney, by both Jetstar and Virgin Blue.

4 The WFC (World Financial Crisis) has certainly made an impact on tourism, not only in the Whitsundays, but all around the world. However, the WFC started in August 2008. You can not use this excuse for why visitor numbers dropped 17% in the year prior, from July 2007 to July 2008, during The Boom. If you look at the statistics closely, it appears that the WFC only contributed to 2% of the 19% drop in tourism numbers, going on form.

5 The wettest months ever on Hamilton Island were back in 1991 (Jan & Feb), however Proserpine did have its wettest February in 2008.

6 A good leader brings people together.

7 "It's purely Lyn Gregson's fault." You are saying that, not me. I am saying that TW is at fault, and that Lyn Gregson is responsible for the actions of TW's management and other directors. Again, the buck stops there.

8 I don't think I will sink to your level and comment on that.

9 She may have. Some people are good leaders, and some should be followers.

10 Apparently the paper says you lived on Daydream Island for 6 years, then you moved to the mainland, yet you say you have lived in town for 13 years? I lived on Hamilton Island for over 4 years, plus have been in town over 5 years.

11 Actually I did plenty of research. My sources were the Whitsunday Times, Courier Mail, Cairns Post, ABC, Google, Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Government, Queensland Government, and your Facebook sites, just off the top of my head.

12 Your statement is a lie. I have never called myself a journalist. I have been employed or associated with the media since 1978.

13 Another interesting comment that is not worthy of a reply.


Good, honest comments by good, honest people are always welcome here. I have decided to publish the above comments by Ms Medford, as an example of character.

While compiling my research, I happened to come across a Facebook page called 'I Stayed at Boathaven Spa and Resort', edited by Ms Medford. If you go to the website now, you will see that the site has been edited in the last couple of days.

I happened upon the site and uploaded it before it was edited; then it showed that it had not been updated for 6 months. All the friends, (bar Ms Medford) have now also been deleted.

However, before the editing was this very interesting entry: This is the Lyn Gregson we have been referring to in this article. Ms Gregson, (at the time of the comment on the left), was Chairperson of Tourism Whitsundays, and she lives in Airlie Beach.

Did she and her staff really pay and stay at Boathaven Spa and Resort? Is this ethical and moral?

This is an interesting story in itself - more soon.