The Committee

Structure

CYPDA operates with a Management Committee of twelve members representing the major interest sectors - primary production, local government, tourism and community. Elections are held bi-annually and the positions of President, Vice-President and Treasurer are elected by the committee for two-year terms.

John McDowall - President

Moving from Mareeba to Cape York 25 years ago John, the owner and manager of the Musgrave road-house on Cape York Peninsula since 2001, has had little time to ‘sit back and gripe about things’ neither does he want to.

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

Paul Piva -
Paul is a new member to the board. Joseph Elu - Treasurer

Joseph Elu is the current Mayor of the NPA Regional Council and has had extensive involvement in Indigenous affairs throughout Cape York.  Due to his service to Indigenous Communities, Joseph has been appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in the General Division.

Joseph has chaired numerous organisations that aim to improve the health and nutrition of Indigenous Australians and currently co-chairs the Indigenous Community Volunteers Foundation.

A powerful advocate for the inclusion of private enterprise in the process of assisting the sustainable economic development of Indigenous people, Joseph is a recipient of the Centenary Medal and holds an honorary Doctorate in Economics from the Queensland University of Technology.

Penny Johnson - Committee Member

Penny and her husband run a 4wd eco-tourism operation on Cape York Peninsula from their base in Cooktown. A relatively new resident on the Cape, Penny has quickly become an active member of the community, and is involved with the Cooktown Chamber of Commerce and Tourism; The Cooktown Discovery Festival and the Cooktown School. Penny sees her role on the CYPDA committee as a link between the Chamber and the broader CYP community.

Patricia Gordon - Committee Member

As a pastoralist who has participated in the growth and change of Cape York Peninsula for many years it is not surprising to hear that Patricia values her place on the CYPDA committee so that she can have a voice in Cape York’s future for the next generation.

With children and grandchildren living on the Cape, Patricia’s continued vision for CYP is ‘To have economic and sustainable development for all Cape York so our children can have a viable future here’.

Silva Blanco - Committee Member
Brad Allen - Committee Member
Brad is the owner of the Archer River Roadhouse. Emma Jackson - Committee Member
Bob Sullivan - Committee Member

Bob has lived on Cape York Peninsula for 35 years and is a founding member of CYPDA. Bob says he became a member of the Association ‘to have input in Cape York’s future’. He continues to do that through the association and through his role as Mayor of Cook Shire Council, one of the largest Shire’s in Australia.