IT'S clear from his lengthy community service resume, that Peter Bonner, a fourth generation beef producer and lavender farm operator, is well suited and committed to strengthening the Southern Downs tourism landscape via his new role on the board of DSD.

Peter's vision for Destination Southern Downs is encompassing of not just tourism, but also enhancing the economic links with neighbouring regions in the form of improved roads and economic and social inclusion projects. He ideally would like:

• To promote interstate and international visitors through the Wellcamp airport to our wineries, fruit, fine traprock wool, national parks, accommodation houses, restaurants and numerous other attractions.

• To encourage caravans and motorhomes to our region.

• To promote the concept of a "Climate Centre" for Stanthorpe incorporating the "Big Thermometer" with interactive screens to display historical information and future predictions. A "must visit" centre for visitors and school children.

• To lobby for funding to improve roads linking the Northern Rivers to the Southern Downs Region.

• To encompass neighbouring border areas of NSW, which are isolated economically and socially from business centres of NSW, into our region.

• To increase our population through tourism and business opportunities to increase the ratepayer base.

Peter's tourism background stems from his lavender farm business, which he has run for 13 years with wife Tere.

Behind this tourism interest sits decades of community interest and well-being.

He has been a director on the Rural Lands Protection Board for 33 years; member/president of the Stanthorpe Agricultural Society for more than 50 years; former director, senior vice-president/ treasurer of Queensland Chamber of Agricultural Show Societies; the inaugural chairman of the Liston Landcare Group; manager of the Stanthorpe Saleyards Committee; a Rotary Club member including president for 19 years and he is a Paul Harris Fellowship Awardee; he is currently senior deputy captain in the Rural Fire Service, having been in the service 50 years; is chairman of the Liston War Memorial Trust; and the recipient of Granite Borders Landcare Award 2004.

One imagines very little "leisure" time in Peter's world but he is a keen supporter of the Queensland Maroons, the Queensland Reds, the Brisbane Broncos and is a cricket enthusiast.