Russell Guého

Russell Guého

Author: Icons of the Kimberley and Rhythms of the Kimberley. - A seasonal journey through Australia's north-west. See our book page for more details.

Russell is currently the Regional Manager at the Kununurra Campus of Kimberley College of TAFE. He has spent 8 years with TAFE, with the first seven in Broome before moving to Kununurra in May 2009. His entire employment background spans a diverse 20 years. He was employed as a District Wildlife Officer with the (then) Department of Fisheries and Wildlife for 16 years and held positions in Perth, Mt Magnet, Kalgoorlie, Moora and eventually Kununurra where he spent 10 years as the East Kimberley District Wildlife Officer.

He has travelled extensively throughout the region and has a passion for the ongoing preservation and care for the wilderness region. His first book Icons of the Kimberley, was published in 2003 and provides a wonderful overview of the area. His second book, Rhythms of the Kimberley, was published by Fremantle Press in 2007. 

With an emphasis on crocodile management, Russell's time with CALM was spent removing and relocating troublesome crocodiles, the observation and monitoring of endangered species and the management and care of some of the areas most unique natural icons.

In 1995 he conceptualised Northern Habitat to support his Ecotourism charter boat operation on the wetlands of Lake Kununurra and successfully operated this business for four years winning two regional retourism industry awards for excellence.

For more information on the books please go to the merchandise page.

Russell is also a board member of Western Australia's Stop the Toad Foundation and has been one of the key members since 2004 involved in campaigning to keep WA Cane Toad free. For more information on the foundation and what you can do to help go to www.stopthetoad.org.au

	Vanessa Hayden

Vanessa Hayden

Vanessa is the Director of Northern Habitat and operates the consultancy business from her home base in Kununurra.

She has lived in the region since 1992, first living in Kununurra and working for the Kununurra Visitor Centre and Slingair and Heliwork WA. A move to Broome in 1998 saw Vanessa move into Project Development, establishing a range of new ventures including the heritage initiative Pearl Luggers, in the town's centre. www.pearlluggers.com.au

She has been heavily involved in submission writing for the the WA Tourism Awards and hopes Broome's Willie Creek Pearl Farm will win again at this year's event, taking them into Hall of Fame Category in a possible three categories. www.williecreekpearls.com.au

Her move, with partner Russell, back to Kununurra in May 2009 sees Vanessa back in her favorite Kimberley town and she is now Vice President on the Board of Management of the Kununurra Visitor Centre.

In her 17 year career she has worked with a range of regional tourism businesses assisting in the establishment, development, promotion and marketing of their products. These include (but are not limited to) charter boat operators, accommodation houses, bed and breakfasts, event management, 4WD Tour Operators and pearling companies. She has also returned to her journalism background and is freelance writing for a range of travel publications including Caravan and Motorhome Magazine.