The Board

John McDowall - President

Moving from Mareeba to Cape York John has been the owner and manager of the Musgrave road-house on Cape York Peninsula since 2004. He  has had little time to ‘sit back and gripe about things’ nor does he want to.

John has been a committee member of CYSF for the last seven years and says he is proud to be able to represent and voice views of the tourism industry, pastoralists and the indigenous community on Cape York Peninsula.

Bob Sullivan - Treasurer

Bob has lived on Cape York Peninsula for over 35 years and is a founding member of CYSF and is also on the Finance and Audit Committee. Bob says he became a member of the Association ‘to have input in Cape York’s future’.

Bob who is the former Mayor of Cook Shire Council is involved in a number of organisations including Vice President Cape York Landcare Inc., President Cooktown and District Community Centre, President Cooktown Bowls, and Board Member Northern Skills Alliance.

Penny Johnson - Vice President

Penny was born & grew up on the Monaro & Central West NSW where her family ran mixed enterprise farms, consisting primarily of Angus x Santa Gertrudis cattle, fat lambs & fine wool merinos, pastures lucerne and crops including wheat, oats & cereal ryecorn. Penny worked in Zookeeping before moving on to tourism & hospitality industries with a particular interest in educational interpretation and working with animals.

Penny met her husband Bart in the NT at Territory and lived and worked in the NT, Gulf & NSW before eventually settling in Cooktown and establishing Bart's Bush Adventures 4 WD tours. Penny is an active member of the community and is involved with a number of local events and community groups. Penny is passionate about raising her three children and a fair go for rural and remote areas.

Peter Miller - Committee Member

Peter joined CYSF in 2011, was born in the UK and came to Australia in 1969.  Peter moved to Weipa in March 1985 with his wife Heather and three daughters from Skipton - Victoria. He has worked for Comalco and the newspaper 'The Weipa Bulletin then owned by Comalco.

Peter then purchased The Weipa Bulletin in 1999 with his wife Heather - turning it into a very profitable venture. In 2006 they sold the business to retire. In 2007, Peter then became a member of the Weipa Town Authority and is still currently representing the residents of Weipa. Peter is very passionate about The Cape and believes there is a place for Government - in supporting the visions of Cape York residents.

John Charlton - Committee Member

John became a member of CYSF in 2011, was born in Sydney and grew up in the bushland suburbs of Sydney's northshore. John has completed two and half years of a degree in Applied Science at Canberra College of Advance Education now Canberra University.

He has travelled extensively throughout Cape York, The Gulf and Northern Territory and began living and working in Seisia in 1994 - building the kiosk/restaurant. John moved to Seisia with family to establish his business 'Cape York Adventures' and ever since has been keen to preserve the elements of 'The Cape' that attracts all walks of life.

Paul Piva - Committee Member

Paul was elected to CYSF management committee in 2009. Paul is the deputy mayor of Lockhart Aboriginal Shire Council and runs a successful car hire business with his partner Lorraine. Paul is passionate about brining economic and employment opportunities into communities and has taken the opportunity to inspire and mentor other people in other communities to begin other small businesses.

Positions Vacant

If you would like to join our board we do have positions vacant. Please contact us for more information