Hollie Ellis
Race Director
What’s your link to Townsville?
I was born and grew up in Townsville. After attending Saint Margaret Mary’s College I went to James Cook University and studied a Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing and Sport and Event Management.
Where are you now?
I’m on the Sunshine Coast now working for IRONMAN Oceania. Our office is based in Noosa – I’ve progressively moved down the coast and it’s a great place to come home to as it has a little bit of everything (beach, outback, hinterland). As a Race Director, it’s my job to implement the operational requirements, while also project-managing and connecting each of our departments to bring our events to life.
What’s your next project?
The next event I’m Race Directing is our Cairns Airport Adventure Festival (6-11 June), which has a number of amazing festival events, leading into our big race day that is a double event — our IRONMAN 70.3 Cairns and the Cairns Airport IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns. It’s a huge event that extends from Cairns to Port Douglas.
How did your time in Townsville set you up for success?
Where I am now in my career literally happened because of a practical event management subject I did at James Cook University where I got to work with the Townsville Triathlon Festival. In 2010 I became the Event Coordinator for the event and got quite a lot of experience. I then moved to the Whitsundays to assist with events driving tourism to the region. I got the job I have now with IRONMAN because of my triathlon experience back home. My parents are both extremely supportive and hard-working so I might have gotten my drive and work ethic from them!
Do you still come ‘home’ to visit?
I certainly do and will be home after our event in Cairns for some nice R’n’R (and Mum’s cooking).
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