Latest news with #VoyagesIndigenousTourismAustralia
The Advertiser
25-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Ancient legacy continues as tourism mixes with culture
Kuku Yalanji people have safeguarded the Daintree Rainforest for thousands of years. And as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to experience the natural beauty of the far-north Queensland region, they are continuing that legacy while also creating opportunities for Indigenous communities. Started by Roy Gibson, a local man with a dream to share culture and help Kuku Yalanji youth, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre allows for Indigenous heritage and knowledge to be at the forefront of the tourist experience. It also helps to protect the UNESCO world heritage-listed landscapes of the Daintree, which is the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The centre's general manager Rachael Hodges, a Goreng Goreng, Girramay, Gunggandji and Kuareg woman, said 500,000 people visited Mossman Gorge each year, creating an opportunity for local self-determination. Giving young people, who face higher unemployment rates in the region, the chance to get qualified and find employment on Country helps create a path for self-determination for the community. "The whole vision about this business and the opportunities that it could provide for our local Yalanji people - and people from right throughout the region - is that they are closer to home," Ms Hodges told AAP. More than 60 per cent of the centre's staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yalangda, or Uncle Skip as he's widely known, is one of the centre's tour guides, all of whom are Kuku Yalanji people. "It does give us a bit of a unique thing to give people the history of the area and we talk to a lot of people about it," he said. "It promotes our Indigenous youth as well and promotes the culture and spreads it out, because if we don't spread that culture, we may lose it." As Uncle Skip guides visitors through the rainforest, he points out plants used for medicine and bush foods, as well as some to avoid. He explains the spiritual and cultural significance of the rainforest, shares stories, ancient knowledge and survival skills, and sprinkles in a few jokes as he leads the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Uncle Skip said he's been involved in the tourism industry for almost 30 years and led some of the first Dreamtime walks when they were started by Roy Gibson in the late 80s. The thing that he loves most - and the reason he's still in the job - is the opportunity to share his culture with visitors. "I believe a lot of people when they come up north here, especially up to the Mossman Gorge, they really want to know about our people," Uncle Skip said. "Sometimes they walk in with an idea but then when they walk out of here they walk out with a new idea ... they show a bit more appreciation to having an understanding." The centre is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, whose chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said operating the facility responsibly kept culture strong and protected the environment. "There's nothing more 'made in Australia' than First Nations culture," he said. "It's building an economy. It's not about the social side, it's about the economic side, and actually providing a sustainable contribution to the community." While it was also an award-winning ecotourism facility, the cultural centre was a grassroots business with its heart in community, Ms Hodges said. The deep connection to culture and Country also underpins the centre's sustainability efforts, with the recent addition of two electric buses to shuttle visitors from the centre to the walking trails among its latest initiatives. The shuttle buses, named Kurranji (cassowary) and Kurriyala (carpet snake), reflect the community's desire to protect the environment, Ms Hodges said. "Indigenous people for 65,000 years have been maintaining a sustainable environment and we're continuing to do that through the introduction of the two new electric buses," she said. "This is something that the community wanted in regards to making sure this world heritage-listed Daintree National Park was kept safe for future generations." AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. Kuku Yalanji people have safeguarded the Daintree Rainforest for thousands of years. And as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to experience the natural beauty of the far-north Queensland region, they are continuing that legacy while also creating opportunities for Indigenous communities. Started by Roy Gibson, a local man with a dream to share culture and help Kuku Yalanji youth, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre allows for Indigenous heritage and knowledge to be at the forefront of the tourist experience. It also helps to protect the UNESCO world heritage-listed landscapes of the Daintree, which is the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The centre's general manager Rachael Hodges, a Goreng Goreng, Girramay, Gunggandji and Kuareg woman, said 500,000 people visited Mossman Gorge each year, creating an opportunity for local self-determination. Giving young people, who face higher unemployment rates in the region, the chance to get qualified and find employment on Country helps create a path for self-determination for the community. "The whole vision about this business and the opportunities that it could provide for our local Yalanji people - and people from right throughout the region - is that they are closer to home," Ms Hodges told AAP. More than 60 per cent of the centre's staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yalangda, or Uncle Skip as he's widely known, is one of the centre's tour guides, all of whom are Kuku Yalanji people. "It does give us a bit of a unique thing to give people the history of the area and we talk to a lot of people about it," he said. "It promotes our Indigenous youth as well and promotes the culture and spreads it out, because if we don't spread that culture, we may lose it." As Uncle Skip guides visitors through the rainforest, he points out plants used for medicine and bush foods, as well as some to avoid. He explains the spiritual and cultural significance of the rainforest, shares stories, ancient knowledge and survival skills, and sprinkles in a few jokes as he leads the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Uncle Skip said he's been involved in the tourism industry for almost 30 years and led some of the first Dreamtime walks when they were started by Roy Gibson in the late 80s. The thing that he loves most - and the reason he's still in the job - is the opportunity to share his culture with visitors. "I believe a lot of people when they come up north here, especially up to the Mossman Gorge, they really want to know about our people," Uncle Skip said. "Sometimes they walk in with an idea but then when they walk out of here they walk out with a new idea ... they show a bit more appreciation to having an understanding." The centre is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, whose chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said operating the facility responsibly kept culture strong and protected the environment. "There's nothing more 'made in Australia' than First Nations culture," he said. "It's building an economy. It's not about the social side, it's about the economic side, and actually providing a sustainable contribution to the community." While it was also an award-winning ecotourism facility, the cultural centre was a grassroots business with its heart in community, Ms Hodges said. The deep connection to culture and Country also underpins the centre's sustainability efforts, with the recent addition of two electric buses to shuttle visitors from the centre to the walking trails among its latest initiatives. The shuttle buses, named Kurranji (cassowary) and Kurriyala (carpet snake), reflect the community's desire to protect the environment, Ms Hodges said. "Indigenous people for 65,000 years have been maintaining a sustainable environment and we're continuing to do that through the introduction of the two new electric buses," she said. "This is something that the community wanted in regards to making sure this world heritage-listed Daintree National Park was kept safe for future generations." AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. Kuku Yalanji people have safeguarded the Daintree Rainforest for thousands of years. And as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to experience the natural beauty of the far-north Queensland region, they are continuing that legacy while also creating opportunities for Indigenous communities. Started by Roy Gibson, a local man with a dream to share culture and help Kuku Yalanji youth, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre allows for Indigenous heritage and knowledge to be at the forefront of the tourist experience. It also helps to protect the UNESCO world heritage-listed landscapes of the Daintree, which is the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The centre's general manager Rachael Hodges, a Goreng Goreng, Girramay, Gunggandji and Kuareg woman, said 500,000 people visited Mossman Gorge each year, creating an opportunity for local self-determination. Giving young people, who face higher unemployment rates in the region, the chance to get qualified and find employment on Country helps create a path for self-determination for the community. "The whole vision about this business and the opportunities that it could provide for our local Yalanji people - and people from right throughout the region - is that they are closer to home," Ms Hodges told AAP. More than 60 per cent of the centre's staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yalangda, or Uncle Skip as he's widely known, is one of the centre's tour guides, all of whom are Kuku Yalanji people. "It does give us a bit of a unique thing to give people the history of the area and we talk to a lot of people about it," he said. "It promotes our Indigenous youth as well and promotes the culture and spreads it out, because if we don't spread that culture, we may lose it." As Uncle Skip guides visitors through the rainforest, he points out plants used for medicine and bush foods, as well as some to avoid. He explains the spiritual and cultural significance of the rainforest, shares stories, ancient knowledge and survival skills, and sprinkles in a few jokes as he leads the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Uncle Skip said he's been involved in the tourism industry for almost 30 years and led some of the first Dreamtime walks when they were started by Roy Gibson in the late 80s. The thing that he loves most - and the reason he's still in the job - is the opportunity to share his culture with visitors. "I believe a lot of people when they come up north here, especially up to the Mossman Gorge, they really want to know about our people," Uncle Skip said. "Sometimes they walk in with an idea but then when they walk out of here they walk out with a new idea ... they show a bit more appreciation to having an understanding." The centre is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, whose chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said operating the facility responsibly kept culture strong and protected the environment. "There's nothing more 'made in Australia' than First Nations culture," he said. "It's building an economy. It's not about the social side, it's about the economic side, and actually providing a sustainable contribution to the community." While it was also an award-winning ecotourism facility, the cultural centre was a grassroots business with its heart in community, Ms Hodges said. The deep connection to culture and Country also underpins the centre's sustainability efforts, with the recent addition of two electric buses to shuttle visitors from the centre to the walking trails among its latest initiatives. The shuttle buses, named Kurranji (cassowary) and Kurriyala (carpet snake), reflect the community's desire to protect the environment, Ms Hodges said. "Indigenous people for 65,000 years have been maintaining a sustainable environment and we're continuing to do that through the introduction of the two new electric buses," she said. "This is something that the community wanted in regards to making sure this world heritage-listed Daintree National Park was kept safe for future generations." AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia. Kuku Yalanji people have safeguarded the Daintree Rainforest for thousands of years. And as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to experience the natural beauty of the far-north Queensland region, they are continuing that legacy while also creating opportunities for Indigenous communities. Started by Roy Gibson, a local man with a dream to share culture and help Kuku Yalanji youth, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre allows for Indigenous heritage and knowledge to be at the forefront of the tourist experience. It also helps to protect the UNESCO world heritage-listed landscapes of the Daintree, which is the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The centre's general manager Rachael Hodges, a Goreng Goreng, Girramay, Gunggandji and Kuareg woman, said 500,000 people visited Mossman Gorge each year, creating an opportunity for local self-determination. Giving young people, who face higher unemployment rates in the region, the chance to get qualified and find employment on Country helps create a path for self-determination for the community. "The whole vision about this business and the opportunities that it could provide for our local Yalanji people - and people from right throughout the region - is that they are closer to home," Ms Hodges told AAP. More than 60 per cent of the centre's staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yalangda, or Uncle Skip as he's widely known, is one of the centre's tour guides, all of whom are Kuku Yalanji people. "It does give us a bit of a unique thing to give people the history of the area and we talk to a lot of people about it," he said. "It promotes our Indigenous youth as well and promotes the culture and spreads it out, because if we don't spread that culture, we may lose it." As Uncle Skip guides visitors through the rainforest, he points out plants used for medicine and bush foods, as well as some to avoid. He explains the spiritual and cultural significance of the rainforest, shares stories, ancient knowledge and survival skills, and sprinkles in a few jokes as he leads the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Uncle Skip said he's been involved in the tourism industry for almost 30 years and led some of the first Dreamtime walks when they were started by Roy Gibson in the late 80s. The thing that he loves most - and the reason he's still in the job - is the opportunity to share his culture with visitors. "I believe a lot of people when they come up north here, especially up to the Mossman Gorge, they really want to know about our people," Uncle Skip said. "Sometimes they walk in with an idea but then when they walk out of here they walk out with a new idea ... they show a bit more appreciation to having an understanding." The centre is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, whose chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said operating the facility responsibly kept culture strong and protected the environment. "There's nothing more 'made in Australia' than First Nations culture," he said. "It's building an economy. It's not about the social side, it's about the economic side, and actually providing a sustainable contribution to the community." While it was also an award-winning ecotourism facility, the cultural centre was a grassroots business with its heart in community, Ms Hodges said. The deep connection to culture and Country also underpins the centre's sustainability efforts, with the recent addition of two electric buses to shuttle visitors from the centre to the walking trails among its latest initiatives. The shuttle buses, named Kurranji (cassowary) and Kurriyala (carpet snake), reflect the community's desire to protect the environment, Ms Hodges said. "Indigenous people for 65,000 years have been maintaining a sustainable environment and we're continuing to do that through the introduction of the two new electric buses," she said. "This is something that the community wanted in regards to making sure this world heritage-listed Daintree National Park was kept safe for future generations." AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
Perth Now
24-05-2025
- Perth Now
Ancient legacy continues as tourism mixes with culture
Kuku Yalanji people have safeguarded the Daintree Rainforest for thousands of years. And as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to experience the natural beauty of the far-north Queensland region, they are continuing that legacy while also creating opportunities for Indigenous communities. Started by Roy Gibson, a local man with a dream to share culture and help Kuku Yalanji youth, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre allows for Indigenous heritage and knowledge to be at the forefront of the tourist experience. It also helps to protect the UNESCO world heritage-listed landscapes of the Daintree, which is the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The centre's general manager Rachael Hodges, a Goreng Goreng, Girramay, Gunggandji and Kuareg woman, said 500,000 people visited Mossman Gorge each year, creating an opportunity for local self-determination. Giving young people, who face higher unemployment rates in the region, the chance to get qualified and find employment on Country helps create a path for self-determination for the community. "The whole vision about this business and the opportunities that it could provide for our local Yalanji people - and people from right throughout the region - is that they are closer to home," Ms Hodges told AAP. More than 60 per cent of the centre's staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yalangda, or Uncle Skip as he's widely known, is one of the centre's tour guides, all of whom are Kuku Yalanji people. "It does give us a bit of a unique thing to give people the history of the area and we talk to a lot of people about it," he said. "It promotes our Indigenous youth as well and promotes the culture and spreads it out, because if we don't spread that culture, we may lose it." As Uncle Skip guides visitors through the rainforest, he points out plants used for medicine and bush foods, as well as some to avoid. He explains the spiritual and cultural significance of the rainforest, shares stories, ancient knowledge and survival skills, and sprinkles in a few jokes as he leads the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Uncle Skip said he's been involved in the tourism industry for almost 30 years and led some of the first Dreamtime walks when they were started by Roy Gibson in the late 80s. The thing that he loves most - and the reason he's still in the job - is the opportunity to share his culture with visitors. "I believe a lot of people when they come up north here, especially up to the Mossman Gorge, they really want to know about our people," Uncle Skip said. "Sometimes they walk in with an idea but then when they walk out of here they walk out with a new idea ... they show a bit more appreciation to having an understanding." The centre is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, whose chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said operating the facility responsibly kept culture strong and protected the environment. "There's nothing more 'made in Australia' than First Nations culture," he said. "It's building an economy. It's not about the social side, it's about the economic side, and actually providing a sustainable contribution to the community." While it was also an award-winning ecotourism facility, the cultural centre was a grassroots business with its heart in community, Ms Hodges said. The deep connection to culture and Country also underpins the centre's sustainability efforts, with the recent addition of two electric buses to shuttle visitors from the centre to the walking trails among its latest initiatives. The shuttle buses, named Kurranji (cassowary) and Kurriyala (carpet snake), reflect the community's desire to protect the environment, Ms Hodges said. "Indigenous people for 65,000 years have been maintaining a sustainable environment and we're continuing to do that through the introduction of the two new electric buses," she said. "This is something that the community wanted in regards to making sure this world heritage-listed Daintree National Park was kept safe for future generations." AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
West Australian
24-05-2025
- West Australian
Ancient legacy continues as tourism mixes with culture
Kuku Yalanji people have safeguarded the Daintree Rainforest for thousands of years. And as hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to experience the natural beauty of the far-north Queensland region, they are continuing that legacy while also creating opportunities for Indigenous communities. Started by Roy Gibson, a local man with a dream to share culture and help Kuku Yalanji youth, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre allows for Indigenous heritage and knowledge to be at the forefront of the tourist experience. It also helps to protect the UNESCO world heritage-listed landscapes of the Daintree, which is the world's oldest tropical rainforest. The centre's general manager Rachael Hodges, a Goreng Goreng, Girramay, Gunggandji and Kuareg woman, said 500,000 people visited Mossman Gorge each year, creating an opportunity for local self-determination. Giving young people, who face higher unemployment rates in the region, the chance to get qualified and find employment on Country helps create a path for self-determination for the community. "The whole vision about this business and the opportunities that it could provide for our local Yalanji people - and people from right throughout the region - is that they are closer to home," Ms Hodges told AAP. More than 60 per cent of the centre's staff are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Yalangda, or Uncle Skip as he's widely known, is one of the centre's tour guides, all of whom are Kuku Yalanji people. "It does give us a bit of a unique thing to give people the history of the area and we talk to a lot of people about it," he said. "It promotes our Indigenous youth as well and promotes the culture and spreads it out, because if we don't spread that culture, we may lose it." As Uncle Skip guides visitors through the rainforest, he points out plants used for medicine and bush foods, as well as some to avoid. He explains the spiritual and cultural significance of the rainforest, shares stories, ancient knowledge and survival skills, and sprinkles in a few jokes as he leads the Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Uncle Skip said he's been involved in the tourism industry for almost 30 years and led some of the first Dreamtime walks when they were started by Roy Gibson in the late 80s. The thing that he loves most - and the reason he's still in the job - is the opportunity to share his culture with visitors. "I believe a lot of people when they come up north here, especially up to the Mossman Gorge, they really want to know about our people," Uncle Skip said. "Sometimes they walk in with an idea but then when they walk out of here they walk out with a new idea ... they show a bit more appreciation to having an understanding." The centre is operated by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, whose chief executive Matt Cameron-Smith said operating the facility responsibly kept culture strong and protected the environment. "There's nothing more 'made in Australia' than First Nations culture," he said. "It's building an economy. It's not about the social side, it's about the economic side, and actually providing a sustainable contribution to the community." While it was also an award-winning ecotourism facility, the cultural centre was a grassroots business with its heart in community, Ms Hodges said. The deep connection to culture and Country also underpins the centre's sustainability efforts, with the recent addition of two electric buses to shuttle visitors from the centre to the walking trails among its latest initiatives. The shuttle buses, named Kurranji (cassowary) and Kurriyala (carpet snake), reflect the community's desire to protect the environment, Ms Hodges said. "Indigenous people for 65,000 years have been maintaining a sustainable environment and we're continuing to do that through the introduction of the two new electric buses," she said. "This is something that the community wanted in regards to making sure this world heritage-listed Daintree National Park was kept safe for future generations." AAP travelled with the assistance of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
West Australian
20-05-2025
- West Australian
Indigenous graduates set sights on future in tourism
Patricia McLean wants to be a role model for her people. 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.
Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Perth Now
Indigenous graduates set sights on future in tourism
Patricia McLean wants to be a role model for her people. 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.
