Company > North Star Consultants

In 1985 Mark Stothard and Bill Plug founded Image Boat Builders. They grew Image to become the third largest aluminium shipbuilder in Australia by 1998 and then sold the company to Austal Ships. Mark held the position of Sales Manager at Austal until 2006 when he left to start North Star Cruise & Ferry Consulting Services.

In 1997 Mark also started Skydive Express with another partner, John Seman. Skydive Express now boasts 2 consecutive State Tourism Awards for Adventure Tourism. Skydive Express is now the largest Skydiving operation in WA and it would also be the third largest in Australia.

More recently in April of 2003, Mark became the 50% Owner of North Star Cruises Australia. The operation would be undisputedly one of the largest and most successful expedition cruise operations in Australia, if not in the world in its class. This company now operates a recently launched Austal 50m  Adventure Cruise vessel, the True North.

North Star Cruises Australia won 3 State Tourism Awards in 2005 and one National award for Adventure Tourism. We also won the state export award for Tourism.

Over the years Mark has held down positions such as Deputy Chairman of the Australian Shipbuilding Association, Founder and Chairman of the Western Australian Shipbuilders Association, the Chairman of the Western Australian Parachute Federation and a Board Member of the Australian Parachute Federation.

Bill Milby has been working closely with Mark Stothard for many years now. Bill was the General Manager of Image Marine before it was sold to Austal Ships. He then stayed on as the GM of Image for a while before leaving to do some contract work and Owner's Rep roles.

Bill and Mark wrote the business plan that supported the build of the new True North for North Star Cruises Australia. Bill also carried on to be the Owners rep throughout the build.

Bill Milby is now currently project managing the 58m Yacht that is currently being built.