The WAITOC - Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council - Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Council. As a governing board, it guides and directs the Council, sets performance goals, ensures corporate compliance and management accountability, endorses strategic plans and approves operating budgets. The Board ensures that WAITOC has the resources necessary to achieve goals and outcomes on behalf of its members.
Walter McGuire
Chair | Destination Perth
As a descendent of several tribal groups in the South West of WA, Walter is a Traditional Owner of Nyoongar Boodjar which includes the Whadjuk lands on which Perth City stands.
Walter is a strong advocate and example of self-determination. In 1998, he graduated university with a Bachelor of Applied Science (ACM DP) (Curtin). He also holds a Cert IV in Training and Assessment (2015) and was a lecturer and mentor until he decided to work for himself as hard as he'd worked for others.
Walter is now owner/operator of the multi award winning tourism business - Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences - offering authentic experiences to visitors to Perth at a range of locations: Elizabeth Quay, Kings Park, Yagan Square and Rottnest Island.
As principal guide and traditional owner of Perth region, Walter is focussed on providing world-class authentic cultural walking tours and experiences to local, interstate and international visitors alike.
With his tourism venture, Walter has literally made it his business to promote and help sustain Aboriginal culture through his city tours, cultural presentations and advisory service.
Darren ‘Capes’ Capewell
Vice Chair | Western Australia
Darren "Capes" Capewell is a proud and passionate descendant of the Nhanda and Malgana People of Gutharraguda (Shark Bay) situated in the Yamaji region of Western Australia.
Capes is proud of his homeland and his family, he loves sharing his knowledge, leading his tour guests across a cultural divide and helping them to connect with one of the most pristine areas on the planet.
Capes is the owner and operator of Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Cultural Adventures and conducts on country eco cultural experiences around Gutharraguda. As a descendant of the land's Traditional Custodians, Capes feels it is his duty to be an ambassador for both his people and his country.
Johani Mamid
Australia’s North West
Johani is a Yawuru, Karajarri, Bardi and Nyul Nyul man that was born and raised in the Broome area and runs Mabu Buru Tours, a cultural tourism business delivering four main products which are essentially nature and wildlife encounter experiences, and traditional dance performances. Each of these experiences also include cultural content which helps to build a better understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Mabu Buru Tours was originally formed because of our Johani’s passion for sharing culture and educating people about traditional way of life of the Kimberley people.
Darrell Sibosado
Western Australia
I am a Bardi Jawi and Noongar/Wardandi man.
I strive for the empowerment of Aboriginal people through Aboriginal control.
With over twenty years’ experience in management, I am currently the Tourism Manager at Lombadina Aboriginal Corporation (since 2016) and also the representative (along with Kathleen Cox) for Ardi Indigenous Tourism Operators Inc on the Dampier Peninsula, WA.
I have extensive experience in governance and have sat on numerous boards and committees. I am currently a director on the Lombadina Community Council.
I strongly believe in Aboriginal devised, implemented and managed programs and policies and I aspire to become a stronger advocate for the recognition and respect of Indigenous Australians with a specific interest in Aboriginal tourism, arts and cultural industries.
My strengths are in problem solving and the development of practical solutions. I have a strong. interest in monitoring and assessing current practices and responding through the development and implementation of Policies and Strategic Initiatives that are outcome focused.
Rosanna Angus
Western Australia
I am chairperson of Kooljaman and Indigenous tourism operation at the tip of the Dampier Peninsula. I have been involved in tourism at a variety of levels throughout my career and I am focussed on building a strong Indigenous tourism sector for Western Australia.
As a proud Bardi Jawi woman with many years’ experience in the tourism industry I bring understanding of the Indigenous tourism sector, board experience, strong governance knowledge and a capacity to network at all levels.
I am personable, an excellent networker and I listen. I will work for the benefit of all operators and be a strong voice for Indigenous tourism.
Robyne Reynolds
Australia’s Golden Outback
Robyne is Vice-Chairperson of WAITOC and a Noongar woman who was born in Boddington Western Australia. Robyne started out her career in the WA Education Department. She met her Husband Doc Reynolds in Esperance. They were married in Bunbury. They have lived in Esperance for the last 30 years. They have two daughters.
Robyne continued to work at one of the Local Primary Schools for 25 years before joining her Husband, Sister in Law and her Husband in establishing Kepa Kurl Enterprises Pty Ltd in 2003.
Robyne is the Retail Manager of the Kepa Kurl Art Gallery in Esperance. The Gallery showcases Local and National Indigenous artwork, jewellery, artefacts and other various souvenirs.
Robyne thrives on meeting tourists from all around the world and sharing the Indigenous culture with them. Robyne is involved in many local community committees’ she is Chairperson of the Esperance District Education Council, Esperance Regional Tourism Association, Esperance Community Arts, the Esperance Community Alliance Group, and member of the Esperance Museum Village.
Les Wallam
Australia’s South West
Les is CEO of Roelands Village (WKI - Woolkabunning Kiaka Incorporated) which is located 30km from Bunbury on 227 Hectares of land, with the Collie River as its Southern boundary.
Roelands Village is an excellent base for tourism and networks closely with other Aboriginal tourism operators throughout the region and beyond, to either source their content at the village and or collaborate and build tourism packages. Tourism products at Roelands include accommodation and hire of facilities, catering, presentations and village/property tours. They also provide and host cultural events and training programs.
Les has an extensive range of work experience including working out of Kununurra and the East Kimberley region for 5 years from 1981 to 1986 as a senior project officer working with both town and remote communities. He also worked as field operations manager and acting regional manager of the Geraldton office of ATSIC for 9 years prior to returning to Bunbury and working as Manager of the local CDEP for 2 years and manager of the Aboriginal unit of TAFE for 9 years prior to committing to his present role.
Roelands Village is also one of seven Aboriginal land holder groups that make up the members of the Noongar Land Enterprises that is working to establixh bush produce and other tourism opportunities.
Les has enjoyed all areas of his work and has gained many benefits, particularly the development of valuable people skills and contacts over the years. These contacts, working relationships and friendships established throughout WA have an ongoing positive impact and have created a strong network for much of his current work and for moving forward.
Charmaine Green
Australia’s Coral Coast
Charmaine Green was born at Eradu on Southern Yamaji Country and identifies with the Wajarri, Badimaya and Wilunyu Nhanagardi cultural groups of the Yamaji Nation. She is a visual artist, award winning poet ( Charmaine Papertalk Green) , community development practitioner and social sciences researcher Charmaine holds a Master of Arts in Indigenous Community Development and is currently undertaking PhD research studies with a focus on cultural knowledge production, transfer and exchange in Yamaji region.
Charmaine is a self taught visual artist and published poet who writes and paints about her country and culture. Charmaine has a strong sense of place linking her to country and likes to reflect this in her artwork and contemporary literature thaI explores her strong connection to her culture. A critically acclaimed and nationally recognised poet, Charmaine brings to the foreground her strong sense of self and cultural connectedness which shines through when delivering her message to the wider public and general audiences. Her strong belief in 'community has its own answer' see's her involved in several community based initiatives and research projects that lean towards building resilience and strength in her community. Having been an active board member of Yamaji Artfor over 20 years, Charmaine also believes that the Aboriginal Arts industry plays a significant role in cultural tourism in that they both share they both act as a conduit to 'sharing our stories'. Charmaine's knowledge of local Yamaji Culture and history has tour participants gaining a greater understanding of Jambinbirri (Geraldton), where we lift the narratives from under the concrete and bitumen and introduce the lands narratives.
Adam Marr
Step Beyond Strategy Pty Ltd
I grew up in WA loving everything about nature - from the bush to the beach and I’ve been fortunate to camp, live and work across Australia. I’ve spent the last 10 years on Boards and Committees that support sustainable community development including the Community Arts Network, Carbon Neutral Charitable Fund, Trillion Trees, Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Outdoors WA.
I have over 25 years experience working with Boards and their teams both here and overseas in start-ups, small, medium and $1bn+ organisations. In 2004, I completed my Bachelor of Business (Business Systems) at RMIT University including time in Vietnam on Globalisation in 2003. I completed my Master of Science (Sustainability) at Curtin University in 2011 - where I specialised in industrial ecology and developing sustainable communities that thrive by attracting people and investment to unique experiences, healthy regenerating natural systems and local places.
Chris Pye
CEO of family business which runs WA regional hotels.
CHRISTOPER ROBERT PYE A.M., LLB (Hons).
Qualifications - Honours degree in Law, and a lifetime in Tourism. Chair Tourism Council WA until Oct 2019, Chair Australia's Golden Outback. Well connected with Government. Passionate supporter of WAITOC. Awards - Order of Australia for services to Tourism David Brand Award.
Roles - Chair and Executive Director of the Hospitality Group which owns motels in Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Esperance and 50% of the Kalbarri Edge Resort.
Director of Ace Cinemas which operates cinema complexes at Midland and Rockingham.
Chair of Directors of the RTO Australia's Golden Outback.
Former President - Tourism Council WA-term ended Oct 2019 and former Director Perth Convention Bureau.
Involved in the original development, the launch and ongoing management of the Karijini Eco Retreat. His business has managed all sorts of accommodation properties from the Rottnest Island Lodge to the Madura Pass Oasis Motel and Caravan Park, the Karijini Eco Retreat and the Terrace Hotel Perth. The business was a significant investor in the Quest Serviced Apartment Brand, the domestic wholesaler Great Aussie Holidays and Skywest. Formed successful Perth law firms Pye & Quartermaine and (more recently a boutique law firm specialising in Hospitality and Mediation) Pye & Associates.
15 years a Committee member (now Life Member) Western Australian Trotting Association - 5 years as their Vice-Chair. 9 years Board member of "Variety WA" the Children's charity, 3 years their Chair and Life Member.
Beliefs - Passionate advocate for Aboriginal Tourism as the one unique offering that Western Australia has - that no one else has. An advocate for the importance of Aboriginal Culture for our whole community's sake. Has experience of working the aboriginal people on the Board of his RTO and with Gumala via the Karijini Eco Retreat and through their difficult times.
Chris Is a wellknown advocate with excellent political connections with State and Federal Governments and Tourism WA who has strong Governance, Financial and Legal skills which make him an experienced ethical Board member who has been campaigning with and for WAITOC with Government for a decade.
