AAA Division Chairs and Deputy Chairs

Queensland Division Chair

Kate McCreery-Carr

Kate is a highly experienced senior executive, with demonstrated success over a period exceeding 30 years in the aviation industry. With the decimation of the industry due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Cairns Regional Council snapped her up in the contracted role of Branch Manager, Business Performance & Compliance. This follows her career in both the domestic and international aspects of aviation as the Chief Operating Officer for Cairns Airport Pty Ltd overseeing all aspects of airside, landside, and terminal operations, including maintenance and capital program.

Kate’s career in the aviation industry began in the role of Airport and Cargo Manager and International Travel Advisor with Air Niugini, which blossomed into the role of Airport Manager for Australian Airlines in Cairns, Darwin and Coolangatta, and the rest is history.

Following the successful completion of her contract with the Cairns Regional Council, Kate returned to the aviation forum as the General Manager of Commercial & Operations at the Sunshine Coast Airport until October 2022, when she took on her current role of General Manager Operations & Assets.

General Manager Operations at Sunshine Coast Airport encompasses overseeing the vital day-to-day operations of Sunshine Coast Airport, as well as providing leadership and management to the airport’s operations business in accordance with legislative requirements and corporate objectives.

Recognised by fellow executives as a person who delivers exceptional leadership in collaboration, and the development of a strong performance-based team culture, Kate has successfully embraced significant change and delivered the much-desired organisational outcomes that have competently met stakeholder and customer needs.

Queensland Deputy Division Chair

Paul Watson

As General Manager of Civil Services & Operations Hamilton Island Enterprises, Paul Watson shares the Oatley family’s vision to create a world-class holiday destination. Paul hails from a background in Airline Operations, Airport Operations, Financial Management and Emergency Services.

He moved from Airline Operations following the collapse of Ansett Airlines in 2001 to a budget development role, joining the Department of Treasury in Canberra where he was responsible for liaison with the Department of Finance and Administration in preparation of the annual Australian Federal Budget and release of budget papers. Paul relocated to the Sunshine Coast in 2005 and re-discovered his love of all things aviation taking up a role with Sunshine Coast Airport and during his four-year tenure worked in several roles including Airport Compliance Manager and later as Airport Operations Manager. In 2009 Paul accepted and was appointed a position with Hamilton Island Enterprises of Airport & Island Transport Manager, over time his role has evolved into his current position as General Manager, Civil Services and Operations.

Paul held the role of Australian Airports Association Deputy Chair Queensland since 2016, prior to stepping into the role of Chair and Director for the Australian Airports Association in 2019 and was re-elected in 2020.

Paul is focussed on and is committed to continual updating and reinvention of its amenities requiring an ongoing capital investment of $25 million a year. As General Manager of Civil Services & Operations, Paul oversees 125 staff for a suite of departments in his portfolio which include the Airport, Transport, Security, Fire Department, Public Area Cleaning and Logistics & Procurement. He is also responsible for the close working relationship with Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Fire & Emergency Service of whom work closely with his emergency service departments.

NSW / ACT Division Chair

Paul McFarlane

Paul is a first-class operator with a wealth of experience in the aviation industry spanning almost 20 years. Paul has worked at Newcastle Airport in a senior management capacity since November 2020, where he commenced as Manager of Operations.

During his first two years at Newcastle Airport, Paul’s attention to detail, leadership abilities and forward thinking saw him guide his team through the significant challenges that COVID-19 shutdowns and border closures presented. The aviation industry was particularly hard hit during the pandemic with airports across Australia similarly affected, and Paul lead his team with a positive focus on airport recovery and preparing the wider airport precinct for the return of the travelling public.

Paul then moved seamlessly into a Head of Airport and Customer Experience role in August 2022, where he continued to drive the exceptional customer experience until he became Head of Airport Security and Operational Resilience in March this year (2024).

Paul continues to be crucial to airport operations and the overall success of the airport, adding enormous value to Newcastle Airport’s current, once-in-a-lifetime transformational terminal expansion project. His critical eye for detail, sense of ownership in Newcastle Airport and his pride in his role are why Paul is so successful in all roles he takes on.

Prior to his time at Newcastle, Paul spent more than five years managing the airports of the Indian Ocean Territories.  His time on the remote islands provided a unique opportunity to be involved in a broad spectrum of projects including runway upgrades, ARFF establishment and international services expansion.

It was also here where he completed his AMPAP course before graduating as an International Airport Professional (IAP) in Montreal in 2016 – something he considers a major highlight of his career.

Throughout his time in airports, Paul has been responsible for maintaining aviation security and has been at the forefront of the complex changes that have been implemented across the industry. including new technology, expertise requirements and strategic processes. With almost two decades in the aviation industry under his belt, Paul remains as passionate about Australian airports as he did on day one at Mount Gambier Airport where he assisted numerous regional airports across South Australia and Victoria in achieving their safety and security requirements.

Paul previously served as South Australian Deputy Chair/Alternate Director from 2013 to 2015 and is keen to focus his passion and experience in this industry to assist other AAA members through the role of Divisional Chair. His range of experience across multiple airports and his depth of knowledge make him an ideal representative of the Australian Airports Association (NSW/ACT).

NSW / ACT Deputy Division Chair

Claire Donnellan

Claire has over 30 years of experience in aviation across regional and international airlines and airports. Her experience ranges from developing customer strategies to undertaking stakeholder engagement activities and leveraging these insights and her operational experience to optimise conceptual designs and operational plans. Her focus is to support organisations as they implement and apply their customer-related commitments and practices to major projects, foster team alignment and build capability and/or corporate practices. This ranges from regional to major airports, national and global industry associations, commercially driven assets, and inclusivity-focused not-for-profits. Claire supports multiple businesses and associations in an advisory capacity as they set and realign corporate strategies.

Victoria Division Chair

Scott Dullard

Scott has been in the Aviation industry for the past 10 years, and currently is the General Manager of Operations at Melbourne Airport, with responsibility for the Aerodrome, Terminals, Security and whole of business Resilience. Scott is also Chair of the AAA Major Airport Security Committee, and Chair of Airport Council International World’s Smart Security Management Group.

Prior to joining the Aviation sector, Scott was in the Australian Defence Force, and continues to be a strong advocate supporting Veterans in their transition out of Defence.

Victoria Deputy Division Chair

Trevor Willcock

Born in South Africa, Trevor completed qualifications in Hotel Management and Management Accounting before immigrating to New Zealand in 2006. Trevor moved from hospitality into the airport industry in 2008 and his airport experience spans a wide range of roles in both regional and international airports, holding the role of Chief Executive of four airports over the past 15 years.

Trevor is currently the Chief Executive of Mildura Airport, Victoria’s largest regional airport.

Tasmania Division Chair

Ilya Brucksch

Ilya is an accomplished Tasmanian professional with experience in architecture and design, project management, construction and the aviation industry.

He is a registered architect who practiced for many years prior to undertaking a post graduate master in Project Management and pursuing a career in the airports industry.

With over 10 years of experience working in the airports industry, Ilya has developed a thorough understanding of airport management, airport planning, development and corporate communications.

Ilya has been an active member of the Army Reserves for over 20 years and participated in the Tasmanian Leaders program in 2018.

Currently, Ilya is a member of the Executive team at Launceston Airport and an active director, and part owner, of Launceston Distillery.

Tasmania Deputy Division Chair

Matt Cocker

Matt has been engaged in the aviation industry for the past 15 years, and is the Chief Operating Officer of Hobart Airport.  Prior to joining Hobart Airport 6 years ago, Matt held positions within the aviation industry across the country, including Adelaide Airport, Northern Territory Airports and Qantas.

Matt is currently the chair of the AAA Tasmanian Division, and is a member of the Board of the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania. Matt has completed tertiary education in business/personnel management and is a graduate of the International Airport Professional (IAP) ACI-ICAS AMPAP program.

Prior to moving into the aviation industry Matt was an Officer in the Australian Defence Force, and has a law enforcement background.

South Australia Division Chair

Andrew Chown

Andrew Chown holds the role of Urban Planner at Adelaide and Parafield Airports. Andrew has more than 14 years’ experience as an urban and regional planner. Prior to joining Adelaide Airport Limited, Andrew worked in the private sector as a strategic planner working with both government and non-government clients.

In 2022, Andrew completed a Graduate Diploma in Aviation Management to enhance his industry specific knowledge and has a long affiliation and interest in aviation, holding and regularly exercising the privileges as a private pilot, and previously holding the position of Director at one of Australia’s longest operating aeroclubs.

Andrew also retains membership as a Registered Planner with the Planning Institute of Australia.

South Australia Deputy Division Chair

Matt Grant

Matt Grant is currently the Executive Director of Growth & Strategy at the Lower Eyre Council, South Australia. The role’s objective is to lead the development of the region’s first growth strategy and one of the responsibilities of this role is oversight of the Port Lincoln Airport, which the Council own and operates.

Matt is an accredited economic development professional with a long-standing success record in growing city and regional economies, possessing broad experience and achieving tangible outcomes across a range of industry sectors. He has undertaken tertiary studies in Management, International Politics and Urban Geography with his principal areas of expertise and interest being business and investment attraction, international relations, marketing, digital strategy and transformation, retail analysis, placemaking, and event and activation strategies.

Prior to joining Lower Eyre Council, Matt was the General Manager of Growth at Alexandrina Council, South Australia, responsible for managing sustainable growth across 11 townships spanning 1,800sqkm, implementing proactive Economic Development strategies focused on tourism and agribusiness industry development and business support, growing the visitor economy, overseeing the Planning & Development, Building Compliance, Strategic Planning, Marketing & Communications functions, and external funding attraction and delivery. Prior to this role, Matt was Associate Director of Economic Development & Innovation at the City of Adelaide (known as Economic Development & Tourism 2016 – 2018). The Economic Development & Innovation Program’s purpose was to grow a prosperous and progressive Adelaide.

Northern Territory Division Chair

Tony Schulz

Tony Schulz has over 30 years of aviation experience across a diverse range of airport management applications including operations, emergency & crisis management, planning, business development and asset management.

He is currently the Airport Manager at Alice Springs Airport, relocating from Proserpine Whitsunday Coast Airport in 2021 where he held various positions including airport manager for over 15 years for both Certified, Registered and ALA aerodromes. During this time, many developments and airfield upgrades were completed including two terminals, runway reconstructions, airfield lighting and the introduction of ARFFS.

Prior to Whitsunday Coast Airport, he gained airline operational knowledge over a 10-year period at Adelaide Airport with Australian Airlines and Qantas.

Tony’s widespread industry operational knowledge, asset planning and emergency management skills have been honed over many years. He holds a commercial pilot licence, chief drone pilot and was the manager of a local government-run cyclone shelter during the lockdown of Cyclone Debbie in 2017.

Northern Territory Deputy Division Chair

Heidi Yates

Heidi Yates has over 15 years of aviation experience in small regional/remote Airports. She is currently the Manager Aviation & Compliance at Gove Airport in East Arnhem Land, having taken up the position in June 2021.

Heidi started her career in aviation as an Airport Reporting Officer and refueller, moving into Airport Compliance Officer and Airport Manager positions.

She is a proud supporter of the AAA for many years, having held the position of SA Division Secretary and receiving the AAA’s Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Airport Industry in 2014.

Western Australia Division Chair

Adam Kett

With 18 years in the industry holding senior positions for Airport, Airline and Ground handling companies throughout his career, Adam Kett has great insight into all areas of Airports and their management.

Adam is now 5 years in the position overseeing all five of Fortescue’s owned and operated Aerodromes, including a team of 60 staff as well as being the Accountable Manager of all Aerodromes and managing all aspects from Compliance, Safety, Operations, Commercial and applicable contracts, Operational and Capital Budgets and Contractor Management.

Adam has been involved in powering Fortescue Aerodromes towards off grid Net Zero solutions by 2030 as Decarbonisation lead. His role as Chair of Pilbara Operators Safety Forum has driven safety improvements and infrastructure upgrades to airspace throughout the Pilbara with CASA and Air Services.

Western Australia Deputy Division Chair

Amol Virkar

Amol Virkar is currently managing Karratha Airport, the second largest airport in Western Australia. Trained as an Engineer and an Aviation Management professional, he has had a unique 23-year career in the Engineering and Aviation Industries.

Amol has extensive aviation experience having worked in the Asia Pacific region with experience in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. In his aviation career Amol has had the opportunity to work for various airlines and airports including Air New Zealand, Cairns Airport, Sydney Airport, Air Niugini and Karratha Airport.

Amol has been involved in many key projects at Karratha which have included hangar builds, property development, baggage handling system upgrades, car parking system upgrades, Inter-Regional Flight Network and retail and carpark improvements.