Title hereHow a shared vision

provided futures and is improving lives in the

Community

Presented by Roy Gibson, Natalie Chapman and Kim Dorward

INTRODUCTION• Mossman township is located 80 kms

north of Cairns and 12 kms north of Port Douglas

• Mossman Gorge is 4 kms west of the Mossman township.

• Mossman Gorge is located on the south eastern edge of the Daintree National park and registered as a World Heritage Area.

• The Mossman Aboriginal Community is located approx. 500metres from the centre. Residential population of approx. 250 people (transient)

• Kuku Yalanji country extends from the Mowbray River (Port Douglas) to just south of Cooktown.

• It extends west to Laura, the Palmer River to Mount Carbine.

• A lot of our land falls inside the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

Kuku Yalanji Country

Background

• Over 500,000 people annually visit Mossman Gorge which is known for pristine rainforest, cool streams, towering mountains and the dramatic Gorge.

• Kuku Yalanji tribe are the traditional owners. The Kuku Yalanji clan at Mossman Gorge have operated a tourism business for the past 15 years known as the Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime Walks. This was a community owned business and is now part of the MGC.

• The community recognized the significant business opportunity with half a million visitors annually to Mossman Gorge and sought assistance in developing their business further.

Roy GibsonTurning a dream into reality…

The Mossman Gorge Centre today…

• Currently employs 53 Indigenous staff and 14 Indigenous trainees (including 3 apprentices), equals 85% of our workforce.

• Employment - Hospitality staff including Chefs, Cafe Staff, Kitchen hands. Tourism guiding and interpretation, Administration, Cleaning, Shuttle bus driving, Grounds & Maintenance.

The Training CentreAn overview

• Residential hostel accommodates up to 20 Indigenous students

• 3 Training Classrooms and a Training Kitchen

• Primarily delivering Cert 3 in Hospitality • Past two years have facilitated Hosted

Traineeships with local employers• 6 Hospitality Trainees from local area each

year• Currently have 3 active Cookery

Apprentices with one further recently completing and transferring to Ayers Rock Resort

The Training CentreWhat we have learnt..

• Flexibility in delivery mode. Interactive, relevant and practical.

• Must have qualified and suitable departmental trainers

• Mentoring and life skills can be equally as important as practical job skills

• Communication of expectations in the workplace is vital and must be reiterated regularly

• The quality of workplace supervision is one of the largest determinants of success

• Overcoming misperceptions is incredibly rewarding

Benefits to the Community since the Centre has opened

• Jobs - and all the things that work provides- not in the least pride

• The Centre has contributed to greater recognition of the Kuku Yalanji people being the Traditional Owners across the Mossman Region.

• Centre has a strong commitment to the preservation of culture and connection through training local Yalanji guides to ensure culture remains strong for future generations. Celebration of culture, language and pride.

• Accessibility of opportunities locally giving incentive for students to complete school and aim for employment

• Preservation of the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the area through eco tourism practises including the shuttle bus service

• Art gallery supported 25 Indigenous artists throughout the year contributing over $76,000 to artists in sales and royalties

• MGC has contributed over $41,000 to the Yalanji arts business located in the Gorge community

• MGC paid $2.6 million in wage payments over last financial year- directly benefitting families and local businesses

• Exhibitions and consignment works displayed within Mossman and Cairns improving the profile of Kuku Yalanji artists

• In the 2014/2015 financial year the MGC injected almost $3.8million in revenue into the local community with a preference for using Indigenous and local suppliers wherever possible

Benefits to the CommunityContinued…

Challenges

• Local Indigenous politics with different groups. • Diversity of clan groups/family groups• Changing peoples way of thinking from CDEP days and

handouts. • Support /acceptance from the broader region• Racism (direct and indirect).• Developing leaders internally• Business / Cultural – changing dynamics of staff relationships• Perceptions of others – tour operators, employment / training partners

• Motivating people to take it to the next level• Educating young people about the culture and relationship with wider world• Encouraging our people to explore the world to learn and meet new people.• Giving young people a sense of identity through their job/training on country.

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“Some challenges haven’t gone away, we have more of a structure and system to work through challenges. So we feel better supported with the business”. Maja, Roy Gibson

Challenges

Successes

- Low staff turnover and over 85% Indigenous employment- 1st Cookery apprentice qualified in September, currently working

at ARR- Succession development – Seven Indigenous staff have been

promoted into Management and Supervisory roles across the business.

- 13 MGC Staff or Trainees have transferred out into permanent roles at ARR – further developing their skills and leadership capacity

- At least 7 Trainee graduates remained in Employment with local host employer

- Training Programs have support from each major hotel within the Port Douglas and Daintree area

- Representatives from participating host employers have attended Cultural Awareness training at the Centre

The Future

• A transport solution needs to be found for local Mossman residents to retain employment in Port Douglas

• Job Ready Programs for community members- transitioning school leavers

• Focus on securing more employment outcomes locally for graduates and locals

• Developing more Tour Guides is a focus• Supporting local employment projects such as the Mossman Botanical Gardens with training• Become a source of employees for local employers