Tourism Too Deadly

Freeman Productions was engaged by Tourism Queensland under funding provided by the Federal Department of Resources Energy and Tourism to pursue some initiatives aimed at providing a higher profile for tourism as a career choice for young Indigenous people.

So, Freeman Productions conceived and executed a 3 part project called Tourism Too Deadly.

Two Tourism Expos provided a forum for a profile boost for Indigenous Tourism. A Tourism Too Deadly booth was designed, entitled “Put Yourself in the Picture” Booth attendants were all Indigenous and represented a variety of occupations. Students had an opportunity to talk to and ask questions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were actively employed in tourism.

In discussion with the Department Of Education and the ISSU, Freeman Productions developed a 5 night /4 day Tourism intensive designed to expose tourism to students wmight be considering it as a career choice. 30 students were selected and the local tourism industry also weighed heavily into Tourism Too Deadly with fifteen major operators participating. This program was about linkage - linking together the participating students, the indigenous tourism operators, the mainstream tourismoperators and also the indigenous staff already working in tourism who are the romodels for future staff.

The first Queensland Indigenous Tourism Networking Dinner was a function aimed at closing the gap between potential employers, the Indigenous workforce that we have in tourism in North Queensland and potential employees. The dinner brought together the participating Indigenous students, the host organizations, and many Indigenous staff currently employed in the tourism industry. There is a need to connect the Indigenouspeople employed in tourism to share experiences, support each other, and mentor the new entrants from programs such as Tourism Too Deadly.

Freeman Productions spent some time in the East Kimberleys of Western Australia in a place called Kunnunarra to look at the possibilities that might present to the Gelganyem Trust and engage the Aboriginal community. Meetings were held with community members, arts organizations, mainstream tourism operators, and tourism bodies.

Freeman Productions was contracted in February 2009 to examine the possibility of the Girudala Community Co-operative Society located in Bowen, to for the further expansion of their business, community service and training portfolio, and have completed an investigation, community consultation and a positive report on a future project.

It was goodbye to Cape York Turtle Rescue, Aurukun Wetland Charters and Walker Family Tours as the Indigineous Business Ready program has run its course.

The Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference was attended by Freeman Productions and Francis Walker.

Murraka Mayi-ji means "motor car with food" and the ladies from Walker Family Tours had the opportunity of morning and afternoon teas and lunches.

It was a family affair to say good bye to Freeman Productions

A visioning workshop for the Wik and Wik Waya elders of the various family groups and the directors of their business ventures was held in Cairns In a bold and innovative move the Wik and Wik Waya people held meetings over 5 days to develop a strategy that will prove to be a strong affirmative action plan for their future.

Don and Judy Freeman addressed a group of women from the Asia Pacific region in Cairns recently. They spoke about not only the various Cultural Tourism projects that they are engaged in, but how government and private enterprise can be involved in the development of successful Cultural Tourism strategies.

Former member for Barron River Dr Lesley Clark has designed a course to encourage women to run for and win elected office in the Asia Pacific Region

"At present, the representation of women in parliaments in the Pacific is the lowest in the world at just 4%."

The inaugural program has 18 women participants from PNG, the Solomon Islands and Timor Leste and includes women Ministers, MPs and aspiring candidates as well as observers from organisations such as UNIFEM, the United Nations Development Fund for Women.

There was keen interest from the group in how Freeman Productions designed and created cultural tourism attractions such as Tjapukai as well as how government can assist in the process.

The significant legacy of local indigenous tourism pioneers Don and Judy Freeman of Kuranda has been recognised in the 2007 T+L Travel Innovators Awards.

T+L editor Anthony Dennis said the awards saluted 20 Australian individuals and partnerships, who, through their vision, flair and dedication, enhanced the experience of travel.

"These awards are pertinent since the Australian travel industry is being directly encouraged, by the tourism lobby groups such as ATEC and the Federal Minister for Tourism, Fran Bailey, to innovate in order to better compete in the international and domestic travel markets," he said.

Twenty years ago, Don and Judy Freeman started Tjapukai Dance Theatre in Kuranda, which since evolved to Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park at Smithfield, today Australia’s most awarded and patronised Aboriginal cultural attraction.

Judy Freeman said their chief reward has always been in the creative process.

"To innovate is to usher in something new, and for us the most satisfaction comes from creating new concepts. The pleasure of forging a new path, the exhilaration of having no creative limits on your expression is a heady mix. Taking risks and seeing an idea grow organically from a glimmer of intent into a strong and vibrant entity is the ultimate satisfaction," said Mrs Freeman.

After helping forge a modern outlet for a 40,000 year culture, Don and Judy Freeman are now developing, via their consultancy Freeman Productions, major business projects nationwide involving both private and government sector tourism stakeholders.

Travel + Leisure Australia is the world's leading travel magazine, with eight international editions, including the US, China, India and Australia. The magazine for travellers not tourists, T+L showcases the finest travel writing and photography both here and abroad.

The list of 2007 winners is:

• Neil Perry Restaurateur Food in the air, food tourism NSW
• Trevor and Geraldine Haworth Founders and directors, Captain Cook Cruises Showcasing Sydney Harbour NSW
• James and Hayley Baillie Owners, Baillie Lodges Rejuvenating Australian islands NSW
• Cassidy Uluru Co-founder, Anangu Tours Indigenous tourism at Uluru NT
• Judy and Don Freeman Theatre developers Advancing indigenous tourism QLD
• Dellarose Baevski Founder, Awaken Designs Developing an ecologically sustainable destination QLD
• Drew Kluska Managing Director, Outback Encounter A bespoke portfolio of Australian experiences SA
• David Walsh Founder, Moorilla Estate Wine tourism in Tasmania TAS
• Greg Farrell Managing Director, the Federal Group Travel experiences in Tasmania TAS
• Callum Fraser and Zahava Elenberg Architects A fresh plane experience VIC
• Sue Lloyd-Williams and Judy Romano Event organisers Mixing business and pleasure and reshaping big-event tourism VIC
• Geoff McGeary Chairman, APT Global touring with a personal touch VIC
• Ross Brown Chief Executive, Brown Brothers Wine tourism and regional food in north-east Victoria VIC
• Colin Hackworth President, Harmony Resorts Taking skiing to new heights VIC
• Alla Wolftasker Owner, Lake House, Daylesford The country-house restaurant VIC
• Kerry Hill Architect Regionally sensitive and stylish resort architecture WA
• Denis and Tricia Horgan Winemakers and event organisers Cultural tourism WA
• Michelle Garnaut Restaurateur Putting the buzz into Bund China
• Marc Newson Designer, Qantas Creative Director Changing how we fly London
• Tom McLoughlin Chief Executive, Per Aquum Resorts Redefining luxury Maldives

» Click here for the full article or visit www.travelandleisure.com.au.

Judy Freeman has provided some insightful comments for a story in Australian Geographic’s October issue entitled Destination Dreaming. This story looks at Indigenous Tourism in Australia today. It also features one of Don and Judy’s mentored businesses- Aurukun Wetland Charters.

» Read the article....

Nine of Australia’s leading inbound travel agents are experiencing Cape York’s best indigenous tourism operations for the very first time.

The group’s familiarisation trip is an initiative of Don and Judy Freeman of Freeman Productions who are mentoring the Cape York businesses under a federal indigenous business ready scheme.

"These agents represent the most significant inbound tour operators in Australia and together they control a substantial portion of tourism into the TNQ region, " said Judy Freeman.

Attending the four day visit to Cape York are Inga Afheldt from ATS Pacific, Graziella Caruso from Goway Travel, Allen Brooker from Pan Pacific Travel, Ulrike Bogle from The AOT Group, Natalie Pickett from Southbound Australia, Karen Holloway from Sunlover Holidays, Ausilia Cristiano from Odessey Travel, Russell Boswell from Wilderness Challenge and Jo Davies from Conservation Volunteers. The group is being escorted by Michael Nelson and Judy Freeman.

"Their visit to Cape York Turtle Rescue and Aurukun Wetland Charters represents the culmination of various activities we have undertaken during the past two years to increase awareness of the quality of indigenous tourism experiences in Cape York," said Mrs Freeman. "We showcased the operators to wholesale agents via a Cape York Travel Expo and ATEC Symposium, and we took them on a European roadshow and to this year’s Australian Tourism Exchange.

This was a double first as it was the first time the industry had seen these new emerging products and the first time they themselves had experienced international tourism marketing activities. As a result, overseas agents asked their Australian inbound operators to place the Cape York businesses in their programs so now they have come here to experience them first hand."

"Tourism Tropical North Queensland has recognised the huge potential of Cape York and is fully supportive of this initiative, co-sponsoring this agent visit with QantasLink and Weipa Air," said Mrs Freeman.

TTNQ Acting Chief Executive Officer David Rose said the Cape is a new and emerging destination which offers unparalleled opportunities in one of Australia’s most remote locations.

"With the release of the Cape York Tourism Strategy for comment the timing could not be better for these top quality attractions to be hosting such an important group. They will get a taste of the unique tourism product in this area which is part of the diverse experience mix on offer in Tropical North Queensland." Mr Rose said.

The Green Corridor Project is a community partnership project to revegetate and remediate the Barron River from the upper catchment to the mouth, involving volunteers to create a green corridor of restored riverine ecosystems. The project aims to restore the health of the river system.

The Green Corridor is a 20 year plus initiative. that is to be delivered through a partnership between community, landholders, industry and government.

Don and Judy Freeman founders of Tjapukai and Indigenous Tourism consultants who have a property on the Barron River have become partners in the project. Both Don and Judy are focused on social, cultural, and environmental responsibility and they find the project an ideal venue to verify their commitment to these concepts.

The Green Corps Teams are a commonwealth government youth development initiative for young adults between 17 and 20.

Participants receive a certificate 1 in Land Conservation Management and are attached to an on-ground natural land management activity. Conservation Volunteers Australia is the service provider in Queensland

One current team (10) is made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, who come from different areas in the north including; Torres Strait, the Northern Territory and Cape York. This team is attached to the Green Corridor and is the second Indigenous team in the last fifteen months. The Green Corridor provides them with exposure to a broad workplace (Atherton to Machans beach), multiple varied stakeholders, several different land management practices (passive and intensive), and interaction with international/local conservation volunteers.

It is a wonderful opportunity for interaction between all nationalities. Indigenous youth working alongside backpackers from Japan or Europe provide a unique cultural interaction with the end result being one of environmental significance.

As Don and Judy say, "Being able to contribute to the process of conscious cultural and environmental development is very fulfilling."

As Australia moves forward in recognizing the need to address climate change and protect the environmental values for which this region is internationally recognized, the Australian Government will continue to be encouraged to provide incentives for individuals and businesses to protect those values.

Sorrel Wilby, producer and presenter of the Australian Geographic Best of Australia program being produced for Channel Nine was recently up at Janie Creek at Cape York Turtle Rescue filming for an upcoming documentary.

Pictured here with a tiny hatchling about to be released into the sea, Sorrel and the crew had a wonderful time at the camp, felt like they had a hand in assisting the survival of the turtle population and got to see hundreds of brolgas dancing and flying over the wetlands.

Watch out for the Best of Australia to be seen on Nine later this year.

Cathy Freeman and Luke Carroll have embarked on a new "Going Bush" series of adventures through rural Indigenous Australia, recently aired on SBS and produced by the Lonely Planet.

We are very pleased to let you know that they spent some quality time in Mapoon at the Cape York Turtle Rescue Camp Chivaree and they covered the story on Aurukun.

Both of these are projects that are mentored by Don and Judy under the federal government’s Indigenous Ready Business program.

Francis Walker from Walker Family Tours, Gina Castellain from Aurukun Wetland Charters, Florie Charger from the Western Cape Cultural Centre and the Mayor of Mapoon Peter Guivarra recently had a first hand look at the enormity of the tourism industry.

Don and Judy, with the great support of Qantaslink, Weipa Air and Tourism Tropical North Queensland organised for each delegate to spend a day on the floor at the Australian Tourism Exchange.

This is the largest travel trade fair in the Southern Hemisphere and is an opportunity for overseas wholesale agents to meet with Australian product suppliers and the 4 Indigenous experiences in the Freeman portfolio contracted new business for their ventures.

A recent European roadshow showcasing indigenous tourism product will produce excellent outcomes for local indigenous tourism ventures, participants report.

An initiative of Indigenous Tourism Australia, the roadshow was executed by Tourism Australia and involved 15 indigenous tourism operators visiting London, Milan, Paris, Utrecht and Berlin.

Judy Freeman, federal indigenous tourism mentor and board member of Indigenous Tourism Australia, attended the roadshow with some of the business managers from TNQ projects under the mentoring scheme.

"We saw in excess of 80 Aussie Specialist agents, 90 product managers and 300 consumers and the level of interest was extremely high."

"The European wholesalers are keen to pick up as much information as they can about our ATSI culture. Attendance at all the events was excellent, with media presence very high as well."

"As well as being a well developed format highlighting the rich diversity of Australia’s indigenous experiences, the roadshow gave TNQ participants an opportunity to focus the attendees on the major gains this region is achieving in indigenous product development."

Part of the Queensland contingent (pictured above with members of the Nunukul Dancers) who travelled with Judy Freeman included local operators and representatives from Aurukun Wetland Charters, Walker Family Tours, Cape York Turtle Rescue, Weipa Cultural Centre, and Poruma Island Resort.

Don and Judy Freeman of Freeman Productions have been mentoring several new and exciting tourism ventures as part of the Federal Government’s Indigenous Business Ready Program. They are excited to announce that they have appointed Michael Nelson whose company Etch Marketing will be responsible for sales and marketing of several new Indigenous Tourism Businesses.

Don and Judy are the co-founders of Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Australia’s iconic Indigenous tourist attraction. Having won countless awards for Tjapukai as well as for their own personal contribution to tourism, the dynamic duo, are now using their skill to assist start up Indigenous tourism ventures.

Michael Nelson spent five years as Sales and Marketing Manager for Tjapukai and recently left to start up his own company - Etch Marketing. Michael is very well known in the tourism industry and is looking forward to using the skills and connections he developed at Tjapukai to help other new indigenous businesses to succeed. Michael said, "The international market is looking for new indigenous experiences and these new businesses will fit the profile that the industry is looking for".

Don, Judy and Michael will be working with Cape York Turtle Rescue in Mapoon, Aurukun Wetland Charters, The Weipa Cultural Centre and Walker Family Tours in Wujal Wujal.

Aurukun Wetland Charters
The fishing season on the Archer, the Ward, and the Love rivers has been sensational this year with the MV Pikkuw doing lots of charters. The Aurukun community is looking to build up its new wetland tourism project. Click here for the full article to get a feel for an experience that could be yours, or visit the Aurukun Wetland Charters website at www.aurukunwetlandcharters.com.

Walker Family Tours
Francis is awaiting the imminent arrival of her new catering van which is being built on the Gold Coast and will be delivered at the end of October. Walker Family Tours has been included in a number of itineraries operated by Masons Tours and by Wilderness Challenge. Visit the Walker Family Tours website at www.walkerfamilytours.com.

Cape York Turtle Rescue
Turtle season has come to a close now and will re-open in June. It was a tremendous season and we are looking forward to a great one next year. Bookings are coming in already. Visit www.capeyorkturtlerescue.com.

Encounter Cape York
Check out the itinerary for the Encounter Cape York package which includes 3 nights at Camp Chivaree at the Cape York Turtle Rescue and 3 night aboard the MV Pikkuw on the Aurukun Wetland Charters. Available dates are:

• Sat 28 June to Friday 4 Jul
• Sat 12 July to Friday 18 Jul
• Sat 9 August to Friday 15 Aug
• Sat 4 October to Fri 10 Oct
• Sat 25 October to Fri 31 Oct

Visit the Encounter Cape York website at www.encountercapeyork.com.au for more information and bookings.