Hon Chris Ellison - Chairman
Chris was a former Cabinet Minister in the Howard Government and as Australia's longest serving Justice Minister, Chris Ellison served in the Howard Ministry for over 10 years. As Minister he had responsibilities in the Departments of Education and Training, Attorney General, Finance and Human Services as well as responsibility for the Australian Federal Police and Customs.
From 1993 to 2009 he was a Senator for Western Australia and has taken a keen interest in the North West.
Having graduated from UWA with a law degree he was a partner in his own law firm Williams Ellison before entering politics. He has held a legal practising certificate for the last 30 years and is now Advisory Director to the DORIC Group. Apart from wide ranging construction and engineering projects in WA, DORIC has a number of those in the Pilbara and Kimberley. Chris Ellison is also on the Board of Governors for the University of Notre Dame, which has a campus in Broome.
The State Government recently engaged him to oversee the consultation process for the Kimberley Strategy. His report was recently released by the Premier and the Minister for the Environment and is entitled "Foundations for a Kimberley Strategy".
Chris is married with three children and lives with his family in Perth.
Mike Dunnett – Deputy Chairman
Mike was the president of the Kimberley Tourism Association from October 2001 before taking on this role in January 2004. He has been in the tourism & hospitality industry since 1983 and arrived in Broome in 1988 to take a position at the Roebuck Bay Hotel. Since then Mike has operated the Roebuck Bay Caravan Park, Over The Top Adventure Tours and Ocean Lodge. Mike previously worked in the finance sector for a considerable time.
Glen Chidlow – Chief Executive Officer
Glen is a long term resident of the North West and during this time has held a variety of roles within the tourism industry, including General Manager of the Bali Hai Resort and Financial Controller of the Cable Beach Club Resort. Prior to this Glen spent 10 years with Ansett Australia, and fulfilled a number of roles across the region, gaining experience in Port Hedland, Broome and Kununurra. Glen holds tertiary qualifications in Business and has also served as Deputy Chairman of the Broome Visitor Centre.
Phil Cox
Phil is currently the Kimberley Regional Manager of the region’s largest tour operator, APT Kimberley Wilderness Adventures, incorporating extended and day trips, as well as a network of 4 semi-permanent camps, including the Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge. Phil has 23 years experience in tourism and hospitality, and currently is a committee member of Broome SKAL, Broome Sailing Club and the Broome Visitor Centre. Phil has previously held board positions with a number of tourism related associations in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Phil also holds a Diploma of Tourism and a Diploma in Commercial Art.
Robert Banfield
Robert is the owner of the successful and award winning Willie Creek Pearls and Pearl Farm Tours, as well as a variety of other retail business around Western Australia. He has been highly involved with the Broome and North West community for over 20 years, including 4 years on the Broome Visitor Centre Board, an inaugural member of Broome Skal and 4 years on the Broome Chamber of Commerce Committee.
Frank Rodriguez
Frank is the founding owner of Northern Airport Services, the ground handling agent at Kununurra airport. This follows 28 years’ experience with Ansett Australia in the Kimberley. He was President of the Kununurra Tourist Bureau from 1991 to 1997 and represented Kununurra as a member on the Kimberley Tourism Association Board. He also spent 3 years as a Shire Councillor for the Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley from 1995 to 1999. Frank is a former President of the Kununurra Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of the Ord Valley Muster and inaugural Board Chairman of the newly created Ord Valley Events
Chris Mitchell
Chris has lived in the Kimberley region for over 28 years and has worked in a number of diverse areas. A current serving Broome Shire Councillor for 19 years. He was the Broome Shire’s representative on the Broome Visitor Centre board for a number of years, and is currently the Deputy Chair of the Savannah Way Board. He is strong supporter of the Kimberley region and serves on a number of boards and committees. He is employed as the Executive Officer of Regional Development Australia – Kimberley.
Brad Beaumont
Brad is the owner/operator of Discovery Sailing Adventures/Dampier Trailer Boat Hire and Dampier Maritime School. Brad is a board member of the Karratha Visitor Centre and a member of various community based organisations including Past President Karratha Rotary, Karratha & Districts Chamber of Commerce, Dampier Sea Search and Rescue, Licensee Hampton Harbour Boat and Sail Club. Having a legacy of community involvement Brad brings a sound understanding of local tourism businesses to the Board.
Rick MacGregor
Rick was a past Board member of the Pilbara Tourism Association for 5 years and is dedicated to the tourism industry in the Pilbara region. Rick and his wife Helen have been involved in the tourism industry for the past 18 years and have been members of the Karratha and Roebourne Visitor Centres for many years. Rick has also held past positions as President and Vice President with these associations for a long period. Rick and Helen are the owner/operators of Point Samson Resort, Point Samson Charters and Ta Ta’s Restaurant.
Michael Collins
Currently the General Manager of the Hospitality Group of Companies, Michael oversees a small portfolio of accommodation properties throughout regional WA including the award winning Karijini Eco Retreat. Michael is also a director of the Eco Company Pty Ltd which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hospitality Group. Michael has been in the hospitality and tourism industry for the past 20 years, managing hotels in Queensland and WA. Prior to his role with the Hospitality Group he was the regional manager WA/SA/NT for the international hotel chain Best Western for a period of 4 years. Michael is also a Board member of Backpack WA.
Natasha Mahar
Natasha's background is wide and varied. An award winning small business owner, her corporate gifting business in Melbourne flourished for over 7 years before she sold up and moved to Broome where she currently runs the Broome Visitor Centre. Prior to running her small business Natasha spent many years in hospitality as the Guest Services Manager for the Adelaide Hilton, time spent in Melbourne in recruitment, HR and marketing as well as many travel stints working and living overseas.