Indigenous graduates set sights on future in tourism
The Kuku Yalanji woman is one of five young people who recently graduated from the National Indigenous Training Academy program at Mossman Gorge, near Port Douglas in Queensland.
Before she started the traineeship, Ms McLean worked as a cleaner and in the cafe at Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre.
When Ms McLean was asked if she was interested in the course, she saw it as an opportunity for growth and learning.
"I knew I had to do this to be a role model for my people," she told AAP.
"We are the future Elders, so we need to find the right path and shine a light on the right path for others to follow as well."
Ms McLean's hard work paid off and she graduated with a Certificate III in hospitality, alongside fellow trainees Stuart Rosser, Mundarra Talbot, Rachelle Minnicon and Nyoakah Davidson, who all now have qualifications in hospitality or tourism.
"I'm extremely proud of myself and the trainees I graduated with and the team that pushed me to graduate," Ms McLean said.
The academy runs across two locations - in Mossman Gorge and Ayers Rock Resort at Uluru - through Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia for people aged 18 to 30.
More than 750 Indigenous graduates have received hospitality and tourism qualifications through the program since its inception in 2011.
At Mossman Gorge, theory is taught at the cultural centre's dedicated learning facilities, while work placements at the centre and local tourism companies and hotels offer practical training.
For Ms McLean, the opportunity to get hands-on experience at the cultural centre, combining culture and learning through every stage, was a fulfilling experience.
After graduation, she'll continue to work at the centre's art gallery and hopes to climb the ranks to team leader.
The academy is a family affair for Ms McLean, with her brother now taking on the traineeship.
As a new graduate, she has some advice for her brother and others thinking about undertaking the course.
"Don't be shame, be game," she said.
"You have to put yourself out there, be resilient. Once you're out of your comfort zone you can actually see what's around you."
AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Age
16 hours ago
- The Age
‘Worst airport': Strict rule has some passengers venting
The airport Darwin International Airport (DRW), Northern Territory. The flight Qantas QF841 from Darwin to Sydney. The departure After disembarking from an APT cruise at the Port of Darwin, I board a ship-organised bus transfer to the airport. It takes about 20 minutes, door to door. We can't check in for our 1.30pm flight until two hours before take-off, so we have time to kill landside. The look The size and facilities are on par with some regional Australian airports, even though this is an international one. It's airy and minimalist, leaning into the Top-End aesthetic with oversized overhead fans, extra-high ceilings and Indigenous art on the walls. Check-in They're pretty strict in Darwin about not opening the check-in counters and baggage drop until about two hours before flight take-off. It's one of the leading gripes in online reviews. A quick Google search of the airport reveals some big opinions: 'This is the worst airport I have been in,' writes one on TripAdvisor. 'Darwin Airport is dreadful,' says another. We sit in air-conditioned comfort for 90 minutes with our luggage, waiting and wishing it was time to access the Qantas Club on the other side of the security checkpoints. It's not ideal, but hardly a crime against humanity. During pandemic-era travel chaos, I survived a three-hour wait in searing July heat just to get inside the terminal at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. I've seen dreadful, and this ain't it. Some cruise passengers opt to pay $30 for a pass to relax by the pool at Mercure Darwin Airport Resort, next to the airport terminal. The $30 is valid for food and beverage credit, and the landscaped gardens and pool look inviting. When check-in does open, we collect our boarding passes from a Qantas representative, weigh our suitcases and send them on their way. Security There are three screening lanes, but only one is open. Electronic devices may stay inside carry-on bags. The line is fairly short, about 10 people deep, and moves quickly. Food + drink There's one cafe, Pronto, in the departures zone. It sells coffee, soft drinks, sandwiches and snacks. I pay $8 for a mineral water and lament that I'm no longer on an all-inclusive cruise ship. After the bag-screening zone, there are a few coffee shops, and decent takeaway from Roll'd Vietnamese and Red Rooster (it's the first RR I've seen in an airport; can recommend the roast chicken roll, but not the inflated airport prices). If you can access the Qantas Club, it's a relaxing place to eat, drink and await a long flight. Retail therapy Here's a surprise: the airport is home to the largest Relay – a traveller-focused store – in the southern hemisphere, with products worth buying. Much of the merch is from NT-owned producers and features Indigenous prints, art and stories. Pick up last-minute gifts or souvenirs of books, toys, clothing, water bottles and scarves. There are also plenty of tech items, travel accessories, sunglasses and snacks for sale. Passing time This really depends on how long you're here. There's fast, free Wi-Fi and some automated massage chairs, a bit of art on the walls and the aforementioned shops. It kept us busy enough for a couple of hours, but I'd be heading to the nearby resort pool if my flight was delayed. The verdict
Sydney Morning Herald
16 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Worst airport': Strict rule has some passengers venting
The airport Darwin International Airport (DRW), Northern Territory. The flight Qantas QF841 from Darwin to Sydney. The departure After disembarking from an APT cruise at the Port of Darwin, I board a ship-organised bus transfer to the airport. It takes about 20 minutes, door to door. We can't check in for our 1.30pm flight until two hours before take-off, so we have time to kill landside. The look The size and facilities are on par with some regional Australian airports, even though this is an international one. It's airy and minimalist, leaning into the Top-End aesthetic with oversized overhead fans, extra-high ceilings and Indigenous art on the walls. Check-in They're pretty strict in Darwin about not opening the check-in counters and baggage drop until about two hours before flight take-off. It's one of the leading gripes in online reviews. A quick Google search of the airport reveals some big opinions: 'This is the worst airport I have been in,' writes one on TripAdvisor. 'Darwin Airport is dreadful,' says another. We sit in air-conditioned comfort for 90 minutes with our luggage, waiting and wishing it was time to access the Qantas Club on the other side of the security checkpoints. It's not ideal, but hardly a crime against humanity. During pandemic-era travel chaos, I survived a three-hour wait in searing July heat just to get inside the terminal at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. I've seen dreadful, and this ain't it. Some cruise passengers opt to pay $30 for a pass to relax by the pool at Mercure Darwin Airport Resort, next to the airport terminal. The $30 is valid for food and beverage credit, and the landscaped gardens and pool look inviting. When check-in does open, we collect our boarding passes from a Qantas representative, weigh our suitcases and send them on their way. Security There are three screening lanes, but only one is open. Electronic devices may stay inside carry-on bags. The line is fairly short, about 10 people deep, and moves quickly. Food + drink There's one cafe, Pronto, in the departures zone. It sells coffee, soft drinks, sandwiches and snacks. I pay $8 for a mineral water and lament that I'm no longer on an all-inclusive cruise ship. After the bag-screening zone, there are a few coffee shops, and decent takeaway from Roll'd Vietnamese and Red Rooster (it's the first RR I've seen in an airport; can recommend the roast chicken roll, but not the inflated airport prices). If you can access the Qantas Club, it's a relaxing place to eat, drink and await a long flight. Retail therapy Here's a surprise: the airport is home to the largest Relay – a traveller-focused store – in the southern hemisphere, with products worth buying. Much of the merch is from NT-owned producers and features Indigenous prints, art and stories. Pick up last-minute gifts or souvenirs of books, toys, clothing, water bottles and scarves. There are also plenty of tech items, travel accessories, sunglasses and snacks for sale. Passing time This really depends on how long you're here. There's fast, free Wi-Fi and some automated massage chairs, a bit of art on the walls and the aforementioned shops. It kept us busy enough for a couple of hours, but I'd be heading to the nearby resort pool if my flight was delayed. The verdict
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- The Advertiser
Bondi Rescue Viking Edition: Aussies on Danish patrol
There aren't any lurking sharks or powerful rips to contend with on Denmark's Zealand island. Yet Australian lifeguard Sebastian Walker-Staalkjaer reckons it's taken a while to get used to another occupational hazard - random naked swimmers. The 27-year-old from Victoria's Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club is one of six Aussie lifeguards who have been patrolling Danish beaches northwest of Copenhagen since late June as part of an exchange program with North Zealand Lifesaving Service. The group has been deployed to swimming spots along a 70-kilometre stretch of coastline known as the Danish Riviera, where sleepy fishing villages are inundated with holidaymakers. "Because you can see Sweden from here ... you just don't get the wind that pushes the swell for kilometres and kilometres and kilometres to build the big swell we get in Australia," Mr Walker-Staalkjaer explained as AAP joined him on patrol at Lynæs sea bathing club. "So even though they do have rips here, they just don't have the power behind them." Mid-interview, a naked Danish couple wandered down to the water. "This is one thing I'm surprised about," he said laughing. "In Australia, we don't have naked swimmers." Mr Walker-Staalkjaer used a rubber duck thermometer to measure the water temperature, a crisp 19 degrees. "The Danes love their water temperature," he said. "I guarantee you, I have six different guys come up to me, telling me I'm off by a degree." The exchange program started three years ago after John Mogensen from North Zealand Lifesaving Service met Natalie Hood, former president at Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club, at an international lifesaving meeting. The pair lamented how difficult it was to fill patrol shifts during summer, Mr Mogensen said. "It's about boosting manpower but also giving an experience to my lifeguards ... they make friends abroad," he told AAP. The participants receive travel subsidies, free accommodation and access to bikes to get to their paid or volunteer patrol shifts, depending on working holiday visa eligibility. Mr Mogensen, who is director of lifesaving, noted the Australians injected more fun and social life into his service. Inspired by Australia's Nippers program, he revived a Danish junior development program. The exchange also expanded after former Australian ambassador to Denmark, Kerin Ayyalaraju, introduced Mr Mogensen to a surf lifesaving contact in Sydney, resulting in NSW lifesavers coming to Denmark. For Mr Walker-Staalkjaer, who has a Danish father and Australian mother, it's an opportunity to connect with his paternal roots, practise his language skills and catch up with extended family. "Just writing Australian lifeguard up on the board, you get so many people coming up, excited, saying 'Oh wow, you've come all the way over from Australia'," he said. "You have a lot of people bringing up (Australian-born Danish Queen) Mary... most have a connection because they have been travelling there or their kids went to study or took a gap year." Mr Walker-Staalkjaer hasn't performed any major rescues in Denmark. It's mostly been first aid, jellyfish stings and swimmers standing on poisonous spiky weever fish. Doing solo patrols has also been a novelty, whereas back home, he is usually on duty with a team of 10. "You need a different style of guarding here. You have to keep yourself very alert. Whereas, in Australia, things kind of come at you," he said. "It's a slower pace in a good way." Later this year, a handful of Danish lifeguards are set to travel Down Under to escape Denmark's brutal winter. Mr Walker-Staalkjaer then hopes to be back in Denmark next year. "It's great hopping from summer to summer," he said. There aren't any lurking sharks or powerful rips to contend with on Denmark's Zealand island. Yet Australian lifeguard Sebastian Walker-Staalkjaer reckons it's taken a while to get used to another occupational hazard - random naked swimmers. The 27-year-old from Victoria's Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club is one of six Aussie lifeguards who have been patrolling Danish beaches northwest of Copenhagen since late June as part of an exchange program with North Zealand Lifesaving Service. The group has been deployed to swimming spots along a 70-kilometre stretch of coastline known as the Danish Riviera, where sleepy fishing villages are inundated with holidaymakers. "Because you can see Sweden from here ... you just don't get the wind that pushes the swell for kilometres and kilometres and kilometres to build the big swell we get in Australia," Mr Walker-Staalkjaer explained as AAP joined him on patrol at Lynæs sea bathing club. "So even though they do have rips here, they just don't have the power behind them." Mid-interview, a naked Danish couple wandered down to the water. "This is one thing I'm surprised about," he said laughing. "In Australia, we don't have naked swimmers." Mr Walker-Staalkjaer used a rubber duck thermometer to measure the water temperature, a crisp 19 degrees. "The Danes love their water temperature," he said. "I guarantee you, I have six different guys come up to me, telling me I'm off by a degree." The exchange program started three years ago after John Mogensen from North Zealand Lifesaving Service met Natalie Hood, former president at Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club, at an international lifesaving meeting. The pair lamented how difficult it was to fill patrol shifts during summer, Mr Mogensen said. "It's about boosting manpower but also giving an experience to my lifeguards ... they make friends abroad," he told AAP. The participants receive travel subsidies, free accommodation and access to bikes to get to their paid or volunteer patrol shifts, depending on working holiday visa eligibility. Mr Mogensen, who is director of lifesaving, noted the Australians injected more fun and social life into his service. Inspired by Australia's Nippers program, he revived a Danish junior development program. The exchange also expanded after former Australian ambassador to Denmark, Kerin Ayyalaraju, introduced Mr Mogensen to a surf lifesaving contact in Sydney, resulting in NSW lifesavers coming to Denmark. For Mr Walker-Staalkjaer, who has a Danish father and Australian mother, it's an opportunity to connect with his paternal roots, practise his language skills and catch up with extended family. "Just writing Australian lifeguard up on the board, you get so many people coming up, excited, saying 'Oh wow, you've come all the way over from Australia'," he said. "You have a lot of people bringing up (Australian-born Danish Queen) Mary... most have a connection because they have been travelling there or their kids went to study or took a gap year." Mr Walker-Staalkjaer hasn't performed any major rescues in Denmark. It's mostly been first aid, jellyfish stings and swimmers standing on poisonous spiky weever fish. Doing solo patrols has also been a novelty, whereas back home, he is usually on duty with a team of 10. "You need a different style of guarding here. You have to keep yourself very alert. Whereas, in Australia, things kind of come at you," he said. "It's a slower pace in a good way." Later this year, a handful of Danish lifeguards are set to travel Down Under to escape Denmark's brutal winter. Mr Walker-Staalkjaer then hopes to be back in Denmark next year. "It's great hopping from summer to summer," he said. There aren't any lurking sharks or powerful rips to contend with on Denmark's Zealand island. Yet Australian lifeguard Sebastian Walker-Staalkjaer reckons it's taken a while to get used to another occupational hazard - random naked swimmers. The 27-year-old from Victoria's Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club is one of six Aussie lifeguards who have been patrolling Danish beaches northwest of Copenhagen since late June as part of an exchange program with North Zealand Lifesaving Service. The group has been deployed to swimming spots along a 70-kilometre stretch of coastline known as the Danish Riviera, where sleepy fishing villages are inundated with holidaymakers. "Because you can see Sweden from here ... you just don't get the wind that pushes the swell for kilometres and kilometres and kilometres to build the big swell we get in Australia," Mr Walker-Staalkjaer explained as AAP joined him on patrol at Lynæs sea bathing club. "So even though they do have rips here, they just don't have the power behind them." Mid-interview, a naked Danish couple wandered down to the water. "This is one thing I'm surprised about," he said laughing. "In Australia, we don't have naked swimmers." Mr Walker-Staalkjaer used a rubber duck thermometer to measure the water temperature, a crisp 19 degrees. "The Danes love their water temperature," he said. "I guarantee you, I have six different guys come up to me, telling me I'm off by a degree." The exchange program started three years ago after John Mogensen from North Zealand Lifesaving Service met Natalie Hood, former president at Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club, at an international lifesaving meeting. The pair lamented how difficult it was to fill patrol shifts during summer, Mr Mogensen said. "It's about boosting manpower but also giving an experience to my lifeguards ... they make friends abroad," he told AAP. The participants receive travel subsidies, free accommodation and access to bikes to get to their paid or volunteer patrol shifts, depending on working holiday visa eligibility. Mr Mogensen, who is director of lifesaving, noted the Australians injected more fun and social life into his service. Inspired by Australia's Nippers program, he revived a Danish junior development program. The exchange also expanded after former Australian ambassador to Denmark, Kerin Ayyalaraju, introduced Mr Mogensen to a surf lifesaving contact in Sydney, resulting in NSW lifesavers coming to Denmark. For Mr Walker-Staalkjaer, who has a Danish father and Australian mother, it's an opportunity to connect with his paternal roots, practise his language skills and catch up with extended family. "Just writing Australian lifeguard up on the board, you get so many people coming up, excited, saying 'Oh wow, you've come all the way over from Australia'," he said. "You have a lot of people bringing up (Australian-born Danish Queen) Mary... most have a connection because they have been travelling there or their kids went to study or took a gap year." Mr Walker-Staalkjaer hasn't performed any major rescues in Denmark. It's mostly been first aid, jellyfish stings and swimmers standing on poisonous spiky weever fish. Doing solo patrols has also been a novelty, whereas back home, he is usually on duty with a team of 10. "You need a different style of guarding here. You have to keep yourself very alert. Whereas, in Australia, things kind of come at you," he said. "It's a slower pace in a good way." Later this year, a handful of Danish lifeguards are set to travel Down Under to escape Denmark's brutal winter. Mr Walker-Staalkjaer then hopes to be back in Denmark next year. "It's great hopping from summer to summer," he said. There aren't any lurking sharks or powerful rips to contend with on Denmark's Zealand island. Yet Australian lifeguard Sebastian Walker-Staalkjaer reckons it's taken a while to get used to another occupational hazard - random naked swimmers. The 27-year-old from Victoria's Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club is one of six Aussie lifeguards who have been patrolling Danish beaches northwest of Copenhagen since late June as part of an exchange program with North Zealand Lifesaving Service. The group has been deployed to swimming spots along a 70-kilometre stretch of coastline known as the Danish Riviera, where sleepy fishing villages are inundated with holidaymakers. "Because you can see Sweden from here ... you just don't get the wind that pushes the swell for kilometres and kilometres and kilometres to build the big swell we get in Australia," Mr Walker-Staalkjaer explained as AAP joined him on patrol at Lynæs sea bathing club. "So even though they do have rips here, they just don't have the power behind them." Mid-interview, a naked Danish couple wandered down to the water. "This is one thing I'm surprised about," he said laughing. "In Australia, we don't have naked swimmers." Mr Walker-Staalkjaer used a rubber duck thermometer to measure the water temperature, a crisp 19 degrees. "The Danes love their water temperature," he said. "I guarantee you, I have six different guys come up to me, telling me I'm off by a degree." The exchange program started three years ago after John Mogensen from North Zealand Lifesaving Service met Natalie Hood, former president at Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club, at an international lifesaving meeting. The pair lamented how difficult it was to fill patrol shifts during summer, Mr Mogensen said. "It's about boosting manpower but also giving an experience to my lifeguards ... they make friends abroad," he told AAP. The participants receive travel subsidies, free accommodation and access to bikes to get to their paid or volunteer patrol shifts, depending on working holiday visa eligibility. Mr Mogensen, who is director of lifesaving, noted the Australians injected more fun and social life into his service. Inspired by Australia's Nippers program, he revived a Danish junior development program. The exchange also expanded after former Australian ambassador to Denmark, Kerin Ayyalaraju, introduced Mr Mogensen to a surf lifesaving contact in Sydney, resulting in NSW lifesavers coming to Denmark. For Mr Walker-Staalkjaer, who has a Danish father and Australian mother, it's an opportunity to connect with his paternal roots, practise his language skills and catch up with extended family. "Just writing Australian lifeguard up on the board, you get so many people coming up, excited, saying 'Oh wow, you've come all the way over from Australia'," he said. "You have a lot of people bringing up (Australian-born Danish Queen) Mary... most have a connection because they have been travelling there or their kids went to study or took a gap year." Mr Walker-Staalkjaer hasn't performed any major rescues in Denmark. It's mostly been first aid, jellyfish stings and swimmers standing on poisonous spiky weever fish. Doing solo patrols has also been a novelty, whereas back home, he is usually on duty with a team of 10. "You need a different style of guarding here. You have to keep yourself very alert. Whereas, in Australia, things kind of come at you," he said. "It's a slower pace in a good way." Later this year, a handful of Danish lifeguards are set to travel Down Under to escape Denmark's brutal winter. Mr Walker-Staalkjaer then hopes to be back in Denmark next year. "It's great hopping from summer to summer," he said.
