Business
14 September, 2026
New chamber board member keen to spread positivity
For Suzanne Hannema, wealth of experience in a local community is of vital importance to her.
For Suzanne Hannema, wealth of experience in a local community is of vital importance to her.
Last Monday she was appointed to the board of the Southern Highlands Business Chamber (SHBC) alongside Jan Campbell and Denis Kilic, both of whom have experience in numerous areas across business, local government, tourism and more.
Ms. Hannema hails from the United States and moved to Australia in the mid 1990s.
She worked at William Morris Agency, Famous Artists Agency and International Music Network booking concert tours for internationally recognised musicians and for Peter Gabriel’s record company Real World Records during the early 1990s.
Then when she moved to Australia, she ended up working as an agent for media promoter Harry M. Miller, cutting her teeth on such issues as the management of Thredbo disaster survivor Stuart Diver in 1997 and assisting with the organisation of the funeral of Michael Hutchence, amongst other issues at the time.
She also worked in marketing for the City Council and the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta, as well as for the Canberra Theatre Centre and National Capital Authority in the ACT.
She then moved to the Southern Highlands and became Coordinator of Tourism and Events with Wingecarribee Shire Council in 2023, where she helped implement the Bridgerton marketing initiative and assisted in boosting tourism numbers and the economy for Tulip Time.
She is now the Venue Manager at Burradoo Park Farm, which she feels is ‘a gift to the Southern Highlands community’.
“The Burradoo Park Farm is able to be enjoyed by a wide spectrum of visitors, and it’s popularity has rather taken us by surprise, to be honest!” she told The Southern Wire.
“With the National Capital Authority, I was instrumental in activating what was known as the ‘National Triangle’, which brings together the Australian Parliament House, Reconciliation Place, ANZAC Parade, National Cultural institutions, the National Carillon, Commonwealth Park and Kings Park (incorporating Stage 88), with Lake Burley Griffin at its centre,” Ms. Hannema said.
“I also collaborated with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) by getting Aboriginal artworks projected on to the National Carillon and also worked with the Australia Day Council and the local Ngunnawal community.”
She is also the recipient of a national Gold Tourism Award.
Now as a member of the Southern Highlands Business Chamber, she feels that she can contribute by adding to what they have already started working on.
Ms. Hannema says the main focus for the Chamber in the coming months will be four main ‘pillars’ - the faster approval of development applications, procurement at Council, transport and the visitor economy.
“The Highlands Collective, for example, is a business – to- business (B2B) collective that focuses on the visitor economy and the Southern Highlands community,” Ms. Hannema said.
“It helps to provide ideas and apply for grants, etc. for local businesses to thrive.
“There is a phenomenal wealth of experience here – amongst residents and business owners alike – when solo you’re strong, but together you’re unstoppable.
“I’m hoping to bring any experience I can in working with all the local organisations (e.g. the Robertson Business Chamber, Highland Collective, Destination NSW, Destination Sydney Surrounds South (DSSS – incorporating the Wingecarribee, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and the Shoalhaven) and more.”
Chair of the Southern Highlands Business Chamber, Greg Welsh said that Ms. Hannema’s experience will be a worthwhile addition.
“Suzanne's experience across tourism, events and the visitor economy is a tremendous asset for the Highlands,” Mr. Welsh told The Southern Wire.
“She understands what it takes to create experiences that attract visitors, generate economic activity and showcase everything our region has to offer.”
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