Originally from Country NSW, Having Left School at 15

Terry Maloney

Originally from country NSW, having left school at 15, apprenticed as a compositor in the newspaper industry and involved in professional football, in 1979 Terry established his first tourism venture, a small freehold motel and road-side diner. Terry developed the resort to become the first “Life Be In It” property in NSW.

In 1988 Terry and his family moved to Bribie Island Qld and created the unique waterfront Bribie Island Waterways Resort and Conference Centre. During this time was on numerous tourism boards including Best Western Australia, The Great South East and Caboolture Shire Development Board.

In 1995 Terry purchased Daintree Eco Lodge and developed it into a world-leading experiential travel destination combining Nature, Nurture and Culture in experiences not available elsewhere. He introduced Spa Tourism to North Queensland. A key note speaker at International Spa/Wellbeing and Eco Tourism Conferences and profiled with Reconciliation Australia programmes.

He is recognised as a “Pioneer” in Australian Ecotourism and Experiential Travel, named in the prestigious list of “Australian Tourism Innovators” for his work with the environment and Aboriginal Cultural aspects of the Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa. The Lodge & Spa is renowned as one of the most awarded Australian Tourism products, including “World’s leading Eco Lodge” (World Travel Awards) and “Best Spa on the Continent” (World Spa Awards).

Each business has been based on his strong philosophies and ethical sustainable business principles, innovation and passionate commitment to Triple Bottom Line - the 3 P’s… People, Planet, Profit. Terry has had a lifelong interest in Aboriginal people from school days through his sporting career and right through his adult and business life.

Over the past 15 years, he has built a strong relationship based on trust and respect, with the local Kuku Yalanji Rainforest Aboriginal people. This relationship has enabled the development of opportunities for Aboriginal Employment and for sharing and preserving of their rich, ancient culture.

Ethical development is paramount, under guidelines of Sustainable Tourism, Environmental Conservation, Cultural Heritage preservation and intergenerational equity. Terry has created Karrba Foundation for “Healing” of Australian Aboriginal people and created the Champions Programme providing Training and Employment for Aboriginal People to lessen dependency on welfare and to give hope.