Team TCA

Danial Rochford - Chief Executive Officer          Email Danial

Danial is the CEO of Tourism Central Australia, the peak regional tourism authority for Central Australia. He is a former CEO of Whitsundays Marketing and Development Ltd as well as CEO of Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd as well as Director of Tourism for one of Australia's leading World Heritage listed tourism attractions, the Port Arthur Historic Site.

He has also held various roles in regional economic and social development organisations including CEO of Rural Alive and Well in rural Tasmania, Manager of Economic Development for the Roma Town Council, and early in his career, a Regional Business Advisor in rural and remote Queensland.

He is a graduate of the University of Tasmania and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Emma Wilmot - Membership and Marketing Manager          Email Emma

Emma grew up in Alice Springs and has recently returned to the Northern Territory with her family, after living in various locations around the world including Kenya, Kathmandu, Malta, Las Vegas, and Sydney – where she spent most of her adult life. Emma holds Master’s in Digital Communications and Marketing awarded with Distinction as well as Bachelor's in Business with major in Event Management. Emma joins us from SeaLink Marine and Tourism and is passionate about the vibrant community of Alice, its stunning landscape, and certain freedom a life in Alice offers to her and her young family.

Kelly Bailey - Finance and Administration Manager          Email Kelly

Kelly moved from Sydney to Alice Springs in July 2024. Kelly has background in Taxation and Audit Accounting, having completed Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accountancy. She is also an Associate member of the Institute of Public Accountants. Kelly has two children, two dogs and enjoys camping, motorbike riding, rock climbing and photography. Before becoming an accountant, Kelly studied and worked in Natural Science. She is passionate about Australia’s native animals and ecosystems and is looking forward to spending time exploring the amazing Central Australia region and its beautiful landscapes.

Susan Silvester - Manager (Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre)          Email Susan

Susan is a serial busybody, which makes her a perfect fit for tourism as she is legitimately interested in her clients. For more years than she cares to admit she has worked in the local and international tourism industry. Originally from Melbourne she has lived and worked in the NT for 40 years, the last twelve with Tourism Central Australia. She lived in Yulara, Darwin and Alice Springs - she possesses an excellent knowledge of the Territory as a whole. She speaks fluent Italian and loves Italian food but prefers to explore that passion at the dining table rather than the kitchen. Winner of the Skal Tourism Industry Employee Award at the 2022 Brolga NT Tourism Awards.

Selina Manouge - Manager (Battery Hill Gold Mining & Heritage Centre)          Email Selina

Originally from Mildura in Victoria, Selina has fulfilled a life long dream by relocating to Central Australia. Since her first visit to the Northern Territory as a child, she has been captivated by the unique landscapes and breathtaking sunsets in the Red Centre. Selina started her career in Tourism Information Services, and after 8 years then transitioned into hospitality. Here she spent over 12 years in management roles specialising in accommodation, restaurants, conferencing and events. When Selina’s not working, you’ll find her outside, she enjoys the simple things in life such as walking, swimming or enjoying a cold beer watching the sunset. Selina is confident in her ability to contribute to Tourism Central Australia and is looking forward to making an impact on the visitation to Tennant Creek & the Barkly region.

Kristine Markussen - Manager (Yulara Visitor Centre)          Email Kristine

Originally from Norway, Kristine has lived in Australia on and off since 2005. Her university background and majority of professional career are in psychology and criminology, but her true passion has always been travel and the outdoors. She has visited 50 countries, as well as every state and territory in Australia. After spending a whole season in El Questro in the Kimberleys, she fell in love with the Top End and decided to move to Darwin to continue exploring the outdoor lifestyle. She has since moved to Yulara and she is very excited about working with TCA, and deepening her knowledge about the area so she can spread her passion for the outdoorsy outback culture.

Jaimie Mitchell - Industry Support Manager         Email Jaimie

Originally from country Victoria, Jaimie fell in love with the tourism industry after moving overseas to work and travel after high school. Her love of culture, tourism sustainability and the industry’s ability to connect people and build lasting memories, inspired her to study a degree in Event Management and International Tourism Management on the Gold Coast which she completed in 2020. Jaimie’s passion for the outdoors and regional tourism has brought her to her new home and career in Alice Springs where she hopes to help others discover our beautiful region.

Kylie Payne - Assistant Manager, Alice Springs Visitor Information Centre         Email Kylie

Kylie spent the first 31 years of her career working in retail for Wesfarmers where she has held various management roles across Coles and Bunnings. She moved to Alice for a two-year contract in 2016 – five years later and a career change into our Visitor Information Centre Kylie is still enjoying her time here in Alice. Kylie loves travelling and has visited many places around the world; her favourite international destination is Africa with the beautiful people and animals. 

Flo Sitkowska - Marketing Specialist           Email Flo

Flo graduated with a Marketing degree from Nottingham University in England. She has a passion for outdoors, culture, tourism, and natural beauty of the world. Travel has been a big part of Flo’s life ever since she was a child - her mum was a travel agent and would often take Flo with her when travelling. She has visited countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and she is now here in Australia. Having fallen in love with Alice Springs, she enjoys the rawness of the desert habitat and the country lifestyle and feels passionate about sharing the love with visitors.

Jarred Bird - Membership & Marketing Specialist            Email Jarred

Jarred moved from Coffs Harbour, NSW because he was curious about Central Australia and what it was really like. What he loves about the region is the amazing mountain ranges and endless possibilities to be get involved in the community. Thanks to his experience in the Red Centre so far, he understands the true meaning of the term "Get out there".  

Annalese Parsons - Visitor Information Centre Officer (Alice Springs)

Annalese is originally from the South Coast of NSW and moved to the Northern Territory in 2013 with family to Arlparra, Utopia for her father’s work. She spent 4 years living and working in Arlparra and Ali Curung, working as a Sport and Recreation Officer and helping cook and deliver food from the age care kitchen. Since moving into Alice Springs she has done a range of different jobs, such as social work, child care and hospitality work in town. In her spare time she performs with the local community theatre Totem Theatre, enjoys crocheting and exploring stunning local area. Annalese is very grateful for all the amazing experiences she has had in her time in the Red Centre, including meeting the love of her life.

Glen Nelson - Visitor Information Centre Officer (Alice Springs)

Glen moved to Central Australia in the Year of the Outback in 2002. His first job found him visiting every community in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara APY lands located in the Northwest top of South Australia, helping community members access the internet for the first time. Since then, he has had jobs that took him to Indigenous communities from over the Western Australian border to as far north as Ali Curung near Tennant Creek. Glen has developed a passion for all things Central Australia, be it geology, botany, history or its people.  

Tash Furrows - Visitor Information Centre Officer (Alice Springs)

Originally from Southern Africa, Tash relocated to New Zealand in 2001 where she studied Outdoor Recreation, which led to working in Milford Sound as a sea kayak guide. Tash moved to the Red Centre in 2011 as a 4-wheel drive camping tour guide. She has many years of guiding experience across the region for various types of tours. Working in Zoology and Guiding at the Alice Spring Desert Park has sparked a passion for wildlife and conservation, a passion she thoroughly enjoys sharing with visitors. Driving for Centre Bush Bus gave Tash the opportunity to visit remote First Nations communities in Central Australia, leading to a deeper appreciation and understanding of the importance of connection to Country.

May Calvert - Visitor Information Centre Officer (Yulara)

May moved to Australia from New Zealand in 2000. Her career has always been customer focused, including working in Real Estate for 25 years. Having resided on the Gold Coast for 20 years, May and her husband sought a reverse 'sea change', spending a year in South Australia's Flinders Ranges before moving to the Red Centre. May has fallen in love with the Red Centre and enjoys sharing her passion and knowledge with visitors to the region.

Orlando Southcott - Visitor Information Centre Officer (Tennant Creek)

Orlando has been passionate about Geology for most of his life. He had volunteered at the University of Adelaide’s Tate Museum prior to his geological studies at the same university. He moved up to Tennant Creek looking for experience within the mining industry and was able to find work at one of the original, but refurbished sites, Peko Iron. Despite the company going into voluntary administration, Orlando has been excited to stay in the Barkly Region, after being given the opportunity to help teach people about the historical significance of mining in the area.

Martijn Weezepoel - Visitor Information Centre Officer (Tennant Creek)

Martijn came to Australia from the Netherlands as a backpacker and loved Australia so much that he got his residency and then his citizenship. After a career of being a chef for over 20 years he always loved sharing knowledge and liked interacting with people. While living in Tennant Creek for 16 years and being interested in its history, the jump from chef to tour guide was an easy one. He also found that talking to people who come to museums and the mine tour brings new knowledge and interesting fact to his attention, and he uses these to enhance his tours.