About Us
WHO WE ARE
Our Management Structure
As an Incorporated Association the way we operate is by the adopted rules of the Association and you see that here.
We have opted for a flat, responsive, no frills structure that will drive member value. The inaugural management group is below.
Our Team
Meet our team below.
Kevin Byrne is a former Mayor of Cairns who has enjoyed senior management appointments in the public and business sectors both in Australia and Papua New Guinea. These included the Office of Northern and Regional Development, CEO of the PNG Tourism Development Authority, Chairman of the PNG National Airline Commission, Deputy Chairman of Air Niugini, as well as senior appointments in the developing PNG LNG sector.
Alan Wallish is founder and co-owner of Passions of Paradise in Cairns. During the past 30 years his company has won numerous local, state and international awards for Adventure tourism, ecotourism and diving. Passions of Paradise has been inducted into the Queensland Tourism Hall of Fame and is an Australian Tourism Award winner.
Well known restauranteur Gary Low’s career in the tourism and hospitality industry commenced in 1979 when he was appointed General Manager of Lizard Island lodge which also included operational oversight of the Cape York Wilderness lodge. Following this, and after a short stint on Orpheus Island, Gary moved back to Cairns in 1988 when he took over ownership of Dundee’s Restaurant on Aplin St. The business flourished and is a now a fixture of the dining scene in Cairns but located on the beautiful City Port waterfront precinct. He recently opened a second restaurant at the Cairns Aquarium.
Michael has been a successful small business owner within Tropical North Qld since 1992. He operates Mungalli Falls outdoor education centre at Millaa Millaa, Blazing Saddles Adventures at Yorkeys Knob and the Sunshine Daycare Centre at Aeroglen.
Michael has served on the board of Tourism Tropical North Qld and was the long standing Chair for Tropical Tablelands Tourism.
Michael has served on the board of Tourism Tropical North Qld and was the long standing Chair for Tropical Tablelands Tourism.
Perry arrived in Cairns in 1988 to pursue his dream of diving the GBR. He worked for Down Under Dive and Nimrod before jointly successfully operating a dive business on 3 small boats in the early 1990’s. In 1996 ,with his wife, he bought the Ocean Free and in 2008 the Ocean Freedom. Together they shared a passion for operating personal, customer-oriented reef tours. Perry brings a wealth of knowledge of the local dive industry and what has driven tourism in Cairns since the late 1980’s.
Kim Andersen Came to Cairns in 1984 and worked In Fisheries compliance until 1993 when he started his own Charter Business. He has worked throughout Cape York, the Great Barrier Reef and Internationally. In 2008 he became Project Manager and built the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College and its facilities, going on to become CEO before returning to his passion 4 years later. He currently operates Copperlode Fish and Kayak on Lake Morris and sits on various bodies advising Government on Charter and Recreational fishing matters.