Whitsundays News. Local News from around and about the Whitsundays: Next Tourism Whitsundays CEO ex ALP candidate

Update: 1 Nov 2012

Whitsunday Times - Page 3: 'Political ties questioned'

Update: 26 October 2012
Local Federal MP George Christensen is surprised to find out about Danial's political background.

Original: 26 October 2012

Image: Mr Danial Rochford's Facebook site

The new CEO for Tourism Whitsundays is Mr Danial Rochford.

Danial is leaving his job as Director of Tourism Operations at Port Arthur, Tasmania, after just 18 months, to move to the Whitsundays and become the new CEO of the merged Tourism Whitsundays and Enterprise Whitsundays, now called Whitsunday Marketing and Development (or the odd acronym of WMD).

We have done some research to learn a bit more about the person who will be taking over one of the most important positions in the region.

It appears Danial was previously employed by Tourism Queensland during the previous ALP Governement. (Peter O'Reilly, the previous CEO, also came from Tourism Queensland).

We also found Danial has been heavily involved with the Australian Labor Party. An undated reference to Danial in ZoomInfo says:
"Danial has also worked as an Advisor to the Federal Member for Lyons Hon Dick Adams (ALP) and Senator John Coates (ALP - Resigned 20 Aug 1996). Danial's aspirations to go further into politics develop as you will see in the following timeline.

From the Video: 'Don't Risk It'

1991
Danial seems to be originally a Queenslander. According to his Facebook page, he graduated from Lockyer District High School, Gatton (between Toowoomba and Ipswich), Queensland. I'm guessing that his age is between 38 and 40.

1996
Danial graduated from the University of Tasmania, Hobart:
* Bachelors degree in regional economic development
* Graduate Diploma in Rural Business Management

2002
Danial was the Economic Development Manager at Roma (QLD) Council when he won the Young Australian (Category: Regional Queensland) Award in October 2002. ABC Rural did an interview with him on Tuesday 1 October 2002 which can be read here.

2003
Became General Manager of Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd.

2006
The Observer, in an article published 24 April 2007;
"Late last year (2006) Mr Rochford was chosen by local members of the Labor Party to be their candidate for the newly formed Federal electorate of Flynn. However, the state executive chose a former Gladstone resident Jennifer Algie as the preferred candidate. When Mrs Algie withdrew her nomination, Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd made it clear he wanted Gladstone solicitor Chris Trevor, who polled well in the state election against sitting member, Independent Liz Cunningham, to be the candidate for Flynn. Mr Rochford withdrew his nomination stating personal reasons for doing so."

January 2006
Married Megan ("involved in International Tourism") in Brisbane.

April 2006
Resigns from Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd to remain in Brisbane and improve Tourism job opportunities for Megan.

Between April 2006 and June 2008
Senior Tourism & Aviation Advisor to the Queensland Tourism Minister
Member - Emergency Services Ministerial Advisory Council

June 2008
Appointed to the Kiribati National Tourism Office to provide Technical Assistance, advice and support for 12 months. Paid for by AusAid.

November 2009
Danial seems to have got his term at the Kiribati National Tourism Office extended - in November 2009, he launched the 'Kiribati National Tourism Action Plan'.

May 2010
Danial appears to have extended his term with the Kiribati National Tourism Office again as he is quoted in this article by 'The Sydney Morning Herald' 6 May 2010.

April 2011
Appointed Director of Tourism Operations - Port Arthur
Danial features in this video 'Don't Risk It' - " a story of the economic recovery and resilience of the Port Arthur Historic Site following the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, Australia."