Rote Island Huts
About us
Rote Island Huts is a Not-for-profit family retreat that was established by the Australian Charity ‘Mercy Huts Inc.’
We exist, not only to make sure you have an amazing holiday experience, but to see the local people of Rote benefit from the emerging tourism industry.Our desire is to create a sustainable community based tourism model as we develop social enterprise retreats that delight guests whilst giving back to the local people.
We believe in building capacity in our staff AND the greater community through training and education, specifically in hospitality and tourism.
We believe in using only local labour and staff. We believe in offering respect towards the local community. We believe in minimising cultural degradation that can occur with emerging tourism in remote communities.
Introducing the founders
Matt & Nat Thistlewaite
Watch their story below.
Matt and Nat Thistlewaite
Matt: Professional fireman with previous work as a builder and cafe owner. He is Indonesian speaking with 30+ visits to Indonesia.
Nat: Co-owned a Dive School, Professional Scuba diver and host on luxury yachts. The Thistlewaite family spent 2012 living on Rote Island embracing the community, language and determining the true needs of the locals.
Sally and Paul McMahon
Sally: Sales, marketing, global project administration and health professional
Paul: WHS Manager for Red Bull Australia bringing risk mitigation for the project.
Mike Devlin
Michael brings his extensive experience in management and business strategy to the mix. He is a true leader and has held the position of CEO for Gloria Jeans Coffees, MD for Wilh Wilhelmsen Investments and currently Director of Sussex Inlet Community Bank-Bendigo Bank.
Michael, as well as holding a longstanding relationship with Mercy Indonesia, has an interest in community development in poorer nations with experience as an investor in Indonesia.
Stephen Pearce
Stephen and his family have been actively committed in supporting Indonesian church and community projects since 2004.
Stephen’s senior roles working with the Boral and ANI corporations, Taxation Accounting Practice WSC Group and his current involvement with Directors Dashboard virtual leaders has assisted our organisation implement robust systems and processes into Mercy Huts operations.