Reflections Holidays welcomes new chair and Camplify CEO to its board

Reflections Holidays, the only adventure camping group in NSW that reinvests profits back into the holiday parks and nature reserves in its care - has welcomed the NSW Government’s appointment of two new members and a new chairperson to its board, effective from 1 May 2024.

After an extensive open recruitment process, Crown Lands has appointed Ms Julie Osborne as Chair of the six-member NSW Crown Holiday Parks Land Manager board and Ms Sally Barnes and Mr Justin Hales as members.

Reflections Holidays Board Chair Julie Osborne said she was looking forward to stepping into the role of Chair after four years as a member of the Reflections Holidays board.

“This is a unique organisation with an exciting future it’s a privilege to continue the work of outgoing Chair, Wendy Machin, who has led Reflections Holidays through a period of strategic reinvigoration and growth,”Ms Osborne said.

“The growth we’ve experienced in recent years benefits regional communities and the people of NSW as we reinvest profit into the Crown Land holiday parks and nature reserves under our care.”

Reflections Holidays has invested $18 million in new accommodation in the 2024 financial year, up $3m from FY23, and doubled its spending on park improvements, from $2m in FY23 to $4m in FY24and expects to spend $6m in FY25 on existing assets.

In addition to a new Chair, Reflections Holidays will also benefit from the experience and industry knowledge of two new board members. 

Ms Sally Barnes brings a wealth of experience in public land and asset management through roles she has held with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Capital Authority in the ACT.

Mr Justin Hales, as the CEO and Founder of Camplify, brings his passion and knowledge for the camping and caravan sector and digital innovation to the role of board member.

Reflections Holidays CEO Nick Baker acknowledged the extensive process undertaken by Crown Lands to appoint a new chair and board members.

“Crown Lands has done an amazing job attracting and appointing such high calibre members to the Reflections board and the organisation will benefit enormously as a result,” Mr Baker said.

“I’m looking forward to working with the refreshed board to build on the strong foundations we have in place to innovate and grow through exciting plans for the years ahead”.

The Reflections Holidays board is established under the Crown Land Management Act 2016 to govern the strategic direction and financial management of Reflections Holidays. The appointments are part of a board renewal process as terms of three existing members including the previous Chair come to an end.

NSW Crown Lands Deputy Secretary Melanie Hawyes thanked the outgoing Chair and board members for their contribution.

“I’d like to recognise the significant contribution of outgoing Chair, Wendy Machin, and thank board members Chris Shaw and Matthew Toohey for their commitment during this important time in the organisations foundation, for which they will always be remembered,” said Ms Hawyes.

The new board appointments are effective from 1 May 2024 for a five-year term to 30 April 2029.