meet our directors
Natalie Flecker
Chair of OQTA, CEO of the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo and Specialist Representative
Natalie Flecker was appointed manager of the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, the largest in the southern hemisphere, in 2013. She has a wide range of experience in the corporate sector, small business, tourism and events. Natalie has a business degree from James Cook University and worked in high level commercial banking for eight years.
She became the joint owner of Yongola Lodge in Townsville in 2008 and prior to heading to the Isa Rodeo, was the business event executive for Townsville Enterprise Convention Bureau.
As part of her role at the rodeo, Ms Flecker has introduced a range of initiatives from Isa Rodeo Schools to the first “glamping” experience for Outback Queensland.
Andrew Martin
Vice-Chair of OQTA, Mayor of the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council and RAPAD Representative.
Andrew Martin (Dip. Rural Business. Dip. Agriculture) is a fourth generation grazier from Tambo with a long history of involvement in agricultural politics, public company directorships and local, private business interests.
This background has given Andrew a passion for his region and belief in the adaptability of its people to embrace and merge tourism as part of the inland’s core business.
Andrew is married with four children and lives on “Macfarlane Station” Tambo, with his wife, Louise and his youngest children, twin girls Alice and Isobel.
He is Mayor of the Blackall-Tambo Regional Council and is focussed on delivering the best outcomes for Outback Queensland tourism.
Elaine Jacobie
Elaine grew up on a grazing property in South Africa and worked as an accountant for 10 years in the rural town of Aliwal North. In April 2007, Elaine, her husband and two children took the plunge and moved from South Africa to Longreach to join Ringrose Button Chartered Accountants. Elaine became part of the OQTA team as treasurer from January 2015.
Elaine enjoys the country lifestyle with the beautiful weather and sunsets that Western Queensland has to offer. Elaine enjoys being involved in local community activities and organisations.
Qualifications & Memberships
– Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants
– Baccalaureus Computation (Bachelor of Accounting)
Robyn Stephens OAM
Robyn, a lifetime Winton resident and third-generation community member, has been a passionate advocate for Central West tourism for over 35 years. As Event Manager of the iconic Outback Festival, she has spent four decades enhancing Winton’s profile and driving tourism through strong partnerships. Her contributions were recognized with an Order of Australia Medal in 2002.
Beyond events, Robyn serves as a Board Member and Life Member of the Outback Queensland Tourism Association, and on the boards of the Waltzing Matilda Centre and Golf North Queensland. Her commitment extends to various advisory groups, working to ensure sustainable growth, extend visitor stays, and showcase the Outback’s unique attractions.
Corey Richards
Corey is a passionate advocate for Outback Queensland’s diverse tourism experiences, with a strong focus on
preserving cultural heritage. With a background in Geography and business operations, he transitioned to a
career in tourism in 2017, returning to his roots in Outback Queensland.
Corey’s journey led him to the Eromanga Natural History Museum, where he started as a Visitor Program
Assistant. Over eight years, he climbed the ranks to become the Museum’s Operations Manager, overseeing
facilities, finance, strategy, fundraising, and human resources. Working with a great team helped build the
Museum facilities and spearheaded its continuous infrastructure, governance, and marketing development.
Corey has fostered vital partnerships, actively promoting South-Western Queensland and the wider Outback
region. His significant contribution to paleo-tourism has allowed visitors to delve into Queensland’s fossil and
dinosaur history through immersive experiences, Corey is also a founding board member of Dinosaur
Experiences Australia.
Sally O’Neil
Sally O’Neil was raised in Longreach and moved away for schooling, travel and further education but returned in 2017 as Director of Works and Services in Jundah for Barcoo Shire Council. Sally is now in her second term as Mayor for Barcoo Shire having been re-elected in 2024 and has been on the OQTA board since 2021.
Sally sees tourism as a huge economic enabler for the many small businesses in outback Qld and looks forward to contributing to OQTA once again to keep the focus on tourism in the outback.
Sally holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) and is a board representative of RAPAD, Red Ridge and Country University Centres Western Qld.
Gary Murray
Gary has been a part of the Mount Isa tourism community for 25 years. Being an owner and Director of tourism and transport related businesses in the region gives him the solid background to guide success and capitalise on our ever-growing tourism market.
His passion for tourism enables him to identify opportunities and North West Tours is Gary’s latest venture, operating guided tours in and around Mount Isa and the north west. A graduate of The Institute of Company Directors, Gary holds a fellowship at The Institute of Managers and Leaders.
Gary is also Chairman of Mount Isa Tourism Association (MITA) as well as a member of MICC Tourism Transition group.
Janene Fegan
Born in Cairns, Janene was raised in Hawaii, then lived and worked throughout Queensland. She completed her nursing training in Mackay in 1990, then travelled and worked overseas before moving to Julia Creek to take up a Registered Nurses position. Over the years she also worked casually as a barmaid at all 3 of the Julia Creek watering holes.
She and her husband Trevor, a local boy, spent 8 years on a family property and raised their 4 children there before moving back to town to operate their electrical/refrigeration and retail business in Julia Creek.
Over the years she has been involved with several committees and community services. She became in councillor in 2016 and has served two terms in which she held the Tourism and Health Portfolios and is now currently in her 3rd term as the Mayor.
Janene enjoys being able to give back to her community and is passionate about promoting the outback as a wonderful place to not only visit but to live and work.
Shaun (Zoro) Radnedge
Born and raised in Charleville, Shaun’s roots in the district stretch back over 105 years. After spending a decade in Toowoomba during the 1990s, Zoro seized the opportunity to purchase a retail business in Charleville, which he and his family have successfully operated for 25 years.
Elected to Murweh Shire Council in 2016 and becoming Mayor in 2020, Zoro has helped Murweh Shire Council achieve significant milestones and holds several key positions across local government organisations.
A proud member of the community, Zoro actively participates in various clubs and organisations, such as the Charleville RSL, Warrego Pony Club, Charleville Airfield Museum and Charleville’s junior and senior rugby league clubs. He cofounded the Adrian Vowles Cup, an annual rugby league carnival in Charleville, which aims to keep the sport thriving in the region.
Zoro is married and has three adult children, continuing his family’s long-standing legacy in Charleville.
Steve Jones
Steve started out life in the finance sector, working as a foreign exchange dealer in corporate and banking companies. Following this he enjoyed almost 15 years in international and domestic tourism working with large maritime and aviation tour operators in operations, sales and general management positions in Japan and Queensland.
Since 2006 he has worked with regional airlines, and has been fortunate to have had a heavy involvement with the Outback in those roles.
Based on his experience Steve believes tourism has a major part to play in the future economy of Outback Queensland, one he is committed to supporting in his current role as State Manager for Queensland for Regional Express (Rex) Airlines.
Rex Airlines is Australia’s largest independent regional airline, operating to regional areas across Australia.
Steve’s experience and industry knowledge will help drive the success of tourism in Queensland’s Outback, building strategies for new markets and working within tourism distribution channels to turn good intentions into firm bookings for visitation to the region.
Barry Weare
Barry Weare is the Director of Operations at Cooee Traveller, a subsidiary of Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).
Born and raised in Cairns, Far North Queensland, Barry has forged a successful career in tourism roles which has provided him with an in-depth knowledge of the sector. With a strong focus on strategy and building relationships, Barry has successfully negotiated collaborative partnerships between businesses and all levels of government, as well as community and local stakeholders. Barry has also worked with Traditional Owners in an array of settings, and in the community, mining and sporting sectors. Barry has represented the Australian Indigenous Tourism sector at domestic and international tourism trade shows and missions.
A keen cricketer, Barry has broad experience, having worked with Skytrans as Community Development Manager & Sales Executive implementing strategies for airline services to Queensland’s rural and remote communities. He has also worked in business development roles for the recreation, sport and mining sectors.
Barry has worked at the most senior level of management onsite at Wilpena Pound Resort and Glen Helen Lodge implementing strategy on the ground delivering record levels of social and financial performance. He has unique skills as a professional educator, long serving tourism operator, and for effective capacity building methods with local Traditional Owners and shareholders.