South Australian Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council

The South Australian Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council (SAATOC) is an independent, professional tourism association specifically for Aboriginal-owned tourism businesses. SAATOC is the authoritative voice for Aboriginal Tourism in South Australia. 

The SAATOC interim Board was formed in September 2023. Once fully established, SAATOC will provide business development, promotion and advocacy that supports and grows Aboriginal tourism and Aboriginal tourism businesses. The current priority of the Board is to develop robust governance processes and practices essential for an independent association. 

TiCSA is working collaboratively with the Board to progress the establishment of SAATOC and provides executive support. The South Australian Government along with the South Australian Tourism Commission, in partnership with TiCSA, support the development and growth of the South Australia Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council (SAATOC).

SAATOC Membership

Information on membership, including eligibility, will soon be available. Two different levels of membership are currently proposed. Full membership will be reserved for Aboriginal-owned Tourism Businesses with these businesses required to meet a minimum threshold of 60% Aboriginal-owned.

For more information about SAATOC, email info@saatoc.com.au.

Interim board members

Aboriginal-owned tourism business representatives: 

Haydyn Bromley, Bookabee Australia – Chair

Haydyn is a descendant of the Adnyamathanha, Yarluyandi and Narungga peoples. He has direct family ties with the Flinders Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Simpson Desert & South- West Queensland.

Haydyn is a qualified teacher with almost 40 years’ experience in education and training. He has had a diverse career including representing Australia on several occasions at national and international gatherings.

Haydyn established his own company Bookabee Australia in 2005 with a vision to become a leader in authentic Aboriginal Cultural Tourism and Aboriginal Cultural Consultancy Services. Bookabee Australia is a South Australian Tourism Hall of Fame recipient and multi-award-winning company.

Tjimari Sanderson-Milera, Kumarninthi Cultural Education

Tjimari Sanderson-Milera is a Kokatha, Narungga, Kaurna and Adnyamathanha man. Tjimari grew up in Adelaide, and then lived for 3 years on the Gold Coast training and competing in athletics as a high-performance sprinter. He returned to Adelaide in 2018.

Growing up Tjimari has always understood the value of giving back to community and the younger generation and is keen to help change people’s mindsets about Aboriginal people and community and learn more about Aboriginal culture.

Tjimari established his own business in 2020 delivering cultural tours, cultural education sessions and workshops.

Wayne Miller, Arts Ceduna

Wayne Miller is a proud Wirangu man, passionate and dedicated as a longstanding leader for the Far West community. As CEO of Ceduna Aboriginal Corporation (CAC) he provides strategic leadership, consistently brokering new opportunities and relationships with government and non-government organisations to improve services for Aboriginal peoples on the Far West Coast. He seeks to ensure that his community are empowered to make decisions through choice not chance.

Arts Ceduna, one of the programs managed by the Ceduna Aboriginal Corporation (CAC), sells artwork on behalf of at least 100-130 artists in the Far West region.

Ken Jones, Bush Adventures

A Bunganditj Elder, Ken’s interest in the environment began early through regular family hunting and fishing trips along the Limestone Coast, discovering bush tucker, growing a native fruit orchard and timber forests. His work and volunteer career spans commercial fishing management, environmental building, habitat restoration and field and bird surveys. His passion lies in sharing his bush adventures with like-minded individuals, witnessing the joy that comes from learning and discovering new experiences while forging a deeper Connection to Country.

Mark Koolmatrie, Kool Tours

Mark Koolmatrie is the original Tribal man of southern South Australia, also referred to as a ‘Munkanboli’, a clever person and man of wisdom and knowledge. Mark is also the owner of Kool Tours, an Aboriginal owned and operated business. Mark’s origin is from the Kukabrak Tribes of southern South Australia, now referred to as Ngarrindjeri. Kool Tours offers intimate group coastal, scenic and cultural experiences on Ngarrindjeri Country in the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Mark has used knowledge passed down by his ancestors over thousands of years to ensure the strength of his culture.

Expertise-based appointments:

Soraya Rankine, South Australian Tourism Commission

Soraya Rankine is proud a Ngarrindjeri and Narungga woman, with family connections to Ngadjuri and Wirangu and is manager of Aboriginal and Experience Development within the Destination Development team at the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC).

Within her role she works closely with operators, community and stakeholders to support and assist with developing Aboriginal Tourism across South Australia, in line with the SATC Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2025. Soraya’s role on the board, will act as a conduit between SAATOC and the SATC to ensure SAATOC and SATC are both aligned and supporting the industry in an impactful and positive way.

Penny Gale

Appointed to the SAATOC interim board as a representative of TiCSA, Penny is a governance guru who brings extensive skills gained through a diverse professional career. She has deep experience in membership-based organisations. Her expertise in good governance, strategy setting, and stakeholder and government engagement is supporting SAATOC during its establishment phase.