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Tony O'Connor
Business Owner - Kookaburra Tours, Townsville
Tony is a born and bred local of the Townsville region and has over twenty years experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. He currently runs a small tour company called Kookaburra Tours & Charters Pty Ltd which conducts tours throughout the Townsville region. Tony noticed a lack of good quality sustainable Indigenous Tourism products in the region and the opportunity to establish commercial operations to incorporate an Indigenous component into their products.
In response to this situation, Tony has been involved in developing "Dreamtime Tracks" a marketing brand for an emerging cluster of Indigenous tourism businesses in the greater Townsville region. Through his involvement, Tony has had the privilege of meeting lots of wonderful Indigenous groups with great talents, products and experiences to share. Tony recently completed his Certificate IV in Training & Assessment and has partnered with an established and experienced RTO to be able to conduct Nationally Accredited Training Courses and to assist with the employment and the product development for local Indigenous groups.
"With the products that we work to develop, being a local in the region, I will be able to mentor, share networks and marketing opportunities, and assist with packaging and linking to established commercial operators".
Tony is just launching a new five day tour "Dreamtime Journey" which includes participation from seven different Indigenous groups throughout the region through their tourism operations and/or their guides. This has been developed to help market them in the international market place and to stand as an example of what can be achieved.
"Sometimes we have to get lost to find ourselves. Sometimes we've got to go walkabout" Go Walkabout with our Dreamtime Journey..
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Terry Maloney
Business Owner - Daintree Eco-lodge and Spa, Daintree
Terry is originally from country NSW. Having left school at 15, he apprenticed as a compositor in the newspaper industry and was 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 in South East Queensland and created the unique waterfront Bribie Island Waterways Resort and Conference Centre. During this time he also sat 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 and was 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 and was 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 regarded 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 and ancient culture.
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Bob Blair
General Manager - Dreamtime Cultural Centre, Rockhampton
An innovative Indigenous business, the Dreamtime Cultural Centre is Australia's largest Aboriginal Cultural Centre and includes high-standard conference and motel facilities. Set within 12 hectares of native trees and plants the Centre offers guided Aboriginal Dreamtime tours to teach visitors about the original occupants of the land, the Darambal Tribe. There is a replica burial site, rock art, gunyahs and traditional ceremonial sites. Additionally, the Centre offers a uniquely peaceful and invigorating conference experience. All conference rooms are fully equipped with modern, up-to-date facilities offering five-star service, in a four-star facility at three-star prices. Unique features include a 34m display of recreated sandstone caves, a Torres Strait Islander village, boomerang show, didgeridoo performance and aboriginal arts & crafts.
The Centre has been established for over 20 years, all of which Bob Blair has held the role as the administrator. The diversification of the business to cope with challenging tourism markets and the long term employment of staff are testament to his leadership skills. Leadership and management are not new to Bob. With a decorated service career in the Australian Army, 9 years on the board of Indigenous Business Australia and with an Honorary Masters in Business Administration, Bob is well qualified to champion the employment of Indigenous Australians within the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
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Machaela Magennis
Vice-President Industrial Relations/Human Resources - Greyhound Australia
Greyhound Australia, an iconic Australian company and one of the oldest coach companies in the world. Greyhound Australia travels to over 1100 destinations in Australia daily, operating 365 days a year. Greyhound has a long and proud relationship with Indigenous Australians and relies on Indigenous Australians to maintain profitability of services in some regional areas, likewise, for many communities Greyhound is the only form of reliable transport.
Building on their existing relationships with Indigenous Australians, Greyhound is committed to fostering an appreciation of Indigenous cultures within the organisation as well as making a difference for people in terms of employment. To achieve this goal Greyhound has implemented an Indigenous Employment Strategy to promote the recruitment and career development of Indigenous people within the organisation. Indigenous staff currently represents 1.4% of the Company's workforce and the majority are employed in identified positions. The Indigenous Employment strategy aims to increase the number of Indigenous staff in mainstream positions and the proportion of Indigenous staff to 5% by 2011.
The development and implementation of this of this initiative is being driven by the organisations Human Resources Manager, Machaela Magennis. Greyhound encourages enthusiasm, loyalty, flexibility, mutual respect, customer service and innovation from all our staff. Our organisational culture builds passion for our company, which we call "being bitten by the dog".
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Maryanne Jacques
Business Owner - Adventure North, Cooktown
Maryanne Jacques started her career in tourism at the age of 17 as a travel consultant in her home town in South Australia. Over the next 31 years, Maryanne has worked and travelled in many varied roles in the tourism industry in Australia. This extensive knowledge covered many aspects of the industry ranging from retail, airlines, and wholesale experience. Maryanne moved to Cairns in 1995.
With a passion for the region Maryanne started Sales Plus, a unique representation service to assist owner-operated tourism based businesses. Sales Plus assisted many small and large tourism based businesses that did not have the resources or could not afford to carry the cost burden of sales and marketing on an individual basis.
In 2005 when a client decided to cease operating transport services from Cairns to Cooktown Maryanne formed Adventure North Australia. Maryanne saw that, while Cooktown is one of Australia's most historical destinations, an opportunity to offer a new Aboriginal Tour, Guurrbi Tours and Nugal-warra Elder Wilfred Gordon from Cooktown. This tour gave travellers the chance to visit traditional lands with the traditional story teller.
Bama Way Aboriginal Journeys began in 2007 as an innovative partnership which brings together 3 highly acclaimed Aboriginal owned and operated tours that operate between Port Douglas and Cooktown. Joining as the transport component, Adventure North Australia is very proud to be a part of Bama Way Aboriginal Journeys.
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Penny Suthar
Business Owner - Fusion Organics, Cairns
Penny was born and raised on a cattle property in Ingham, North Queensland. One of five children, she confesses she was shy and engrossed in nature. Penny's education journey began with School of the Air, boarding school at St Annes, Townsville and High School in Ingham before studying Performing Arts at JCU. Penny travelled extensively throughout Australia doing secretarial work in various industries including importing, insurance, natural resources, before eventually working as a paralegal. Penny had no business degree or experience before opening Fusion - just a dream which has grown organically.
Penny states that "Fusion Organics was born of the desire to dine out on good wholesome foods and have a damn good coffee. Not finding it meant one thing - creating it."
Penny's fruitions resulted in a cafe situated in the original Cairns Ambulance Centre, which has become a sanctuary for customers looking for good food and good fun to re-energize their day. Penny and her staff beaver away at developing new and tasty ways to present everyday foods ,allergy free.
Penny credits her success to her dynamic staff and creative team environment. "I feel very supported and respected by my team and likewise they have my utmost respect".
"From what I gather we run differently from most businesses. There is a lot of co-creation, cross training as well as training (some of my staff had never worked before), lots of staff input and freedom of expression. Somehow it seems to work and we are always busy".
Penny admits she happened upon employing Indigenous staff by accident. Her first Indigenous staff member, Carollyn came to the business through NEATO, a job employment agency. Future vacancies were filled by cousins, brothers, sisters and friends of Carollyn who needed work and so the staff team was formed. Today 60 percent of Penny's workforce is Indigenous; all with over 3 years service experience across a range of roles including management, chefs and baristas. Penny actively seeks indigenous staff claiming that long term local staff is an asset in Cairns where hospitality workers are often transit by nature.
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Frank Crocker
Wildlife Park & Pamagirri Manager, Rainforestation, Kuranda
Company of the CaPTA Group
Originally from Sydney and with a background in the building trade Frank Crocker could not be any further distanced from his beginnings. In 1996, a down turn in the building industry in Sydney saw Frank and his wife come to North Queensland looking for work. Frank applied for a job in the functions department at Rainforestation, and 13½ years later, is still with the company.
For the past 12 years Frank has been managing the Pamigirri Aboriginal Dance Troupe. As the Manager of the Pamigirri Aboriginal Dance Troupe, Frank oversees the training, coordination and the administration of the dancers. The troupe consists of 17 dancers ranging in age from 18-40. The dancers perform three times a day, seven days a week, 364 days of the year, in addition to overseas performances for Tourism Tropical North Queensland. That's a lot of dancing and commitment!
Frank attributes the success and longevity of the troupe to the good working relationship they have developed with each other over the years. He stresses the importance of learning each others ways to communicate effectively about the expectations of tourism demands and the value of patience.
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Penny Cleland
Staff Development Officer - CaPTA Group, Cairns
The CaPTA Group is locally owned and operated by the Woodward family of Cairns and consists of Rainforestation Nature Park, Tropic Wings Coach Tours, RnR White Water Rafting, Jungle Tours, The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary, Cairns Wildlife Dome and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.
The CaPTA Company is passionate about Indigenous employment and recognises the value and contribution of Indigenous employees to their business. Indigenous employees currently make up 10 per cent of the workforce at the CaPTA Group, with five indigenous staff members exceeding their 10 year long service leave. Indigenous staff are employed in a variety of jobs within the organisation including accountancy, retail, reservations, coach drivers, hospitality, tour guides and cultural performers.
One of the driving forces behind the development of their Indigenous Employment Program is Staff Development Officer, Penny Cleland. Penny worked in a variety of positions across the Tourism and Hospitality industry in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef during the 70's and 80's. However, it was a move to Weipa that initiated her passion for Indigenous communities and well being. During her 10 years in Weipa Penny become part of the Weipa community and was involved in the development of several community projects within the hospitality industry.
One of the initiatives Penny has developed to attract more indigenous employees to their workforce is a Structured Training and Employment Programme (STEP), which is specifically tailored to assist Indigenous employees with long term employment goals, and provide them with support from an Indigenous Mentor.
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David Hudsen
Managing Director - Tjapukai, Cairns
Born and raised in Kuranda, North Queensland, David is from the Ewamian and Western Yalanji people. Throughout his life David has established his knowledge of culture and life growing up with traditional and contemporary values.
After finishing school David went to Alice Springs and worked in the railway for three years. Looking for more meaningful work, David ventured to Perth to attend teachers college and upon returning, ventured overseas to America in 1985. Observing the interest taken by foreigners in his dance and culture, David recognised that there was a niche market in cultural tourism in Australia. Spectators of David‘s performances are treated to entertainment and education about Indigenous culture, a term David calls ‘edu-tainment'.
David is a founding member of the internationally renowned Tjapukai Dance Theatre, which started with seven performers in a 90 seat basement style theatre. As the company's popularity grew, so did its venue and in 1996 moved to its current site just north of Cairns. The theatre has also expanded to include breakfast and night shows. In 1992 David left the company to pursue his own career in the performing arts, which has led him to many personal successes and achievements.
David has achieved worldwide popularity as a recording artist, won a Logie award as a documentary presenter and has acted in television and motion pictures. Artistically his talents are not restricted to performing, he has worked with children of all ages conducting workshops involving painting, murals and mime, enlightening young minds to aboriginal culture. In 1993 he was awarded an Honorary Tourism Ambassador for Queensland Tourism and more recently the Centenary Medal for services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
David has recently returned to Tjapukai to take up the position of General Manager, where he aims to bring new life into the Park through strengthening the connection of the businesses to the local community and producing new material and interpretive activities for the Park. Tjapukai currently has 47 indigenous employees, making the business one of the largest tourism employers of indigenous people in the State.
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Darin McDonald
General Manager - Sunferries Pty Ltd , Townsville
Working in culturally diverse environments is not a new area for Sunferries General Manager, Darin McDonald. Darin has been in senior management positions for the last ten years across three different countries. His previous role was the Country Operations Manager for Goodman Fielder International in Papua New Guinea, which employed over 900 staff across the country.
In the capacity of his current role as General Manager with Sunferries, Darin has been instrumental in developing relationships and initiatives with the Palm Island Community. Sunferries currently operate 19 daily return services to Magnetic Island and four return ferry services to Palm Island per week, servicing approximately 900,000 passengers a year. The Palm Island services continue to grow at a rate of over 30% annually and Sunferries are looking to increase services to Palm Island from four to 14 services per week over the next 5 years.
An increase in services will enable Palm Island residents' access to job opportunities on the mainland, as well as job opportunities within the company itself. Sunferries already employs two Palm Island residents in vessel operations and is looking to increase local employment opportunities with the expansion of services to Palm Island, including the development of a freight depot and booking office on the Island.
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Michelle Lloyd
Business Owner - Echo Adventure and Cultural Centre, Tully
Michelle was born and raised on the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland. Michelle started her working career at the Ecotourism Development Officer of the Cardwell Shire Council. During Michelle's eight years with the Cardwell Shire Council, she was instrumental in formulating a tourism budget for the area, revamping, refurbishing and developing the Tully Visitor & Heritage Centre volunteer program and in assisting businesses across the shire with their marketing and promotional requirements.
Michelle was also instrumental in the development and implementation of the ‘Great Green Way' regional marketing initiative which has been a collaborative effort between the two local Councils. On this project Michelle has assisted with developing the first regional brochure for the area, a new website and substantial marketing collateral. Michelle is still involved with the regional marketing of the Great Green Way and sits on the board of Tropical Coast Tourism Inc as it's secretary/treasurer.
Michelle is part owner of Echo Adventure & Cultural Camp where she manages the operations of the business. This business has built a strong and plentiful relationship with the local Aboriginal people, in particular Elder Mr Ernie Grant to establish an authentic Aboriginal experience. This has taken several years to establish and is now one of the main Indigenous experiences in the Great Green Way. Part of Michelle's role has been to market and develop a strategic indigenous employment scheme for employment of local indigenous people and to provide an authentic cultural product that visitors from around the world can share. Thus the "Spirit of the Rainforest Tour" was established and now employs 2 full time and 2 part time Aboriginal people.
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John Sharpe & Eddie Rusko
Joint Business Partners - Riverlife Mirrabooka, Brisbane
Riverlife Mirrabooka is an excellent example of the mutual benefits that can be gained by a joint partnership between an indigenous and mainstream business. Nestled below the cliffs at Kangaroo Point along the banks of the Brisbane River, Riverlife Mirrabooka offers visitors the opportunity to participate in traditional Aboriginal song and dance in the heart of the city.
The success of the partnership is largely due to a great working relationship between the two Directors, Eddie Ruska and John Sharpe. Eddie Ruska is the Director of the Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dance Troupe a highly acclaimed dance troupe which have toured worldwide with there performances and John Sharpe owner and Director of the award winning Riverlife Adventure Centre. The two businesses negotiated responsibilities and respect the others provision of service to the partnership. John provides tourism marketing and networking support for the product and Eddie manages the cultural input and leadership to the troupe. An important aspect of the relationship indicative to indigenous culture, is that it developed gradually allowing time for trust to build between the partners.
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