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 focused 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.
Clinton Walker
Western Australia
Clinton is a Ngarluma/Yindjibarndi man, whose traditional lands encompass the coastal and inland areas of the west Pilbara region such as the City of Karratha, Dampier Archipelago, Murujuga National Park and Millstream-Chichester National Park.
Clinton has spent his entire life learning from his Elders and family about the traditional ways of his people. As well as speaking Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi languages, he has also been initiated in his people's Aboriginal Law Ceremony (Birdarra) and is an active member in his cultural responsibilities of looking after his Ngurra (Country).
Clinton started Ngurrangga Tours to educate and immerse people in the ways of his culture and history so that they could understand more about Pilbara Aboriginal culture and Country. Ngurrangga Tours was awarded the prestigious Sir David Brand Award for excellence in tourism at the 2023 WA State Tourism Awards.
Kerry-Ann Winmar
Western Australia
Kerry-Ann Winmar is the driving force behind Nyungar Tours, a Perth-based tourism business dedicated to providing both visitors and residents of Perth with an immersive cultural journey into the rich heritage of the Nyungar people, who are the traditional custodians of Western Australia's south-west. In 2018, Kerry-Ann founded Nyungar Tours, drawing upon her extensive 30-year involvement in the tourism industry. As a proud descendant of Whadjuk and Ballardong Country, her profound connection to the land and culture serves as a guiding force in her journey. Kerry-Ann is deeply committed to the preservation and sharing of her Nyungar heritage, ensuring that its significance is authentically communicated and celebrated.
Robyne Reynolds
Australia's Golden Outback
Robyne is a Noongar woman; born in Boddington, she spent her early years in Boddington, Collie and Bunbury. After finishing high school in Bunbury, she commenced her professional journey within the WA Education Department as an Early Childcare Specialist. She spent the next 25 years teaching early childhood before a career change and, along with her husband, Doc, sister and brother-in-law, Gail and Mark, commenced Kepa Kurl Enterprises Pty Ltd, focusing on cultural tourism, including the Kepa Kurl Art Gallery and cross-cultural awareness training.
Kepa Kurl is the local Wudjari name for Esperance; Kepa means water and Kurl means boomerang - where the waters lie like a boomerang.
Her entrepreneurial spirit shines in the many successful ventures of Kepa Kurl, including managing the Kepa Kurl Gallery and backing up her husband’s expanding business operations. Because of the expanding operations of Kepa Kurl, the decision was made to separate the business, with Robyne and Doc staying with Kepa Kurl and Mark and Gail moving on to commence their also expanding business operations.
After 10 years of managing the Kepa Kurl Art Gallery, the decision was made to sell the gallery and look at further exciting business ventures. The Lucky Bean Café, a business Robyne commenced along with her daughter, Tegan, began operating in Lucky Bay in the Cape Le Grand National Park. After 10 years of managing the café, Robyne and Doc decided to sell the “Bean” and looked at winding down and doing something close to home.
Robyne is now channelling her passion into developing a couple's retreat (Koolark) at her daughter’s property and possible Camping with Traditional Owners with her husband.
With a passion for sharing her cultural knowledge, Robyne delights in connecting with tourists from around the world. She has promoted Aboriginal tourism nationally, internationally and Kepa Kurl has won tourism awards. She has also inspired many Aboriginal people to join in the journey of cultural tourism. Beyond her business ventures, Robyne has lent her expertise to numerous boards such as the Esperance District Education Council, Tourism Esperance, Australia's Golden Outback (AGO), and the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC board) where she is still a current board member.
Robyne now enjoys gardening and spending time with her grandchildren and meeting up with family.
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.
Rennee Turner
Australia’s Coral Coast
Rennee is a proud Yinggarda woman, born and raised in Gwoonwardu (Carnarvon). As a Traditional Custodian of this Country and one of the five language groups of the Yamatji nation, Rennee honours the footsteps of her ancestors who have walked these lands for thousands of years. Their traditions, stories, and wisdom have been entrusted to Rennee and she is dedicated to sharing this knowledge to protect and preserve the cultural heritage for future generations.
As an owner/operator of Wooramulla Eco Cultural Journeys, Rennee's vision is to create insightful, educational and immersive experiences that celebrate her rich heritage. Through storytelling, sustainable practices and deep cultural engagement, Rennee aims to develop a greater understanding, connection and appreciation of this land's first custodians among guests and visitors, both local and from overseas.
Rennee's mission is to celebrate and preserve our rich heritage of Aboriginal culture through authentic tourism experiences, and she strives to educate and inspire visitors to respect and understand our traditions, landscapes, and histories through three core values: preservation, conservation and education.
Deb Carr
Australian Tourism Export Council
Deb Carr is a highly experienced tourism professional with over 30 years of industry expertise. Deb has a business and career record of delivering outstanding results in business strategy, people leadership, sales management, marketing, revenue management and distribution, stakeholder engagement, chair and board experience and customer service delivery.
Exceptional communicator and negotiator, delivering strong company representation, including public speaking. Strong commercial acumen, with proven record of achieving targets within cost-of-sale guidelines, P&L and cost centre management. Committed to strong governance. Experienced in risk management, business continuity planning and OH&S.
Accomplished people and human resources leader with a variety of experience in talent recruitment, coaching and mentoring, facilitating change, re-structuring teams and experienced in culturally challenging environments.
As a consultant for ATEC and Metro Hotels, Chair of Rottnest Island Chamber of Commerce and an Independent Director of WAITOC. Deb is a prominent figure in the tourism sector. Deb is passionate about developing sustainable tourism practices and creating memorable travel experiences for visitors.
