Dare to dream: Mossman Gorge Centre

In remote Australia, unemployment continues to be one of the big issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. But there are a growing number of communities that are finding new ways to create jobs and a better future for themselves and their families.

The Kuku Yalanji people of the Mossman Gorge area in north Queensland had a dream to develop a business enterprise to help provide income and prosperity for their people.

When the new $20 million Mossman Gorge Centre, an Indigenous eco-tourism business in the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park, opened with 90 per cent Indigenous staffing in June 2012, this dream became a reality.

The centre was constructed by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) in collaboration with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal Community on land purchased through the ILC’s Land Acquisition Program.

The centre provides Indigenous employment and training, including at a residential training facility located at the centre.

Cameron Buchanan is a tour guide at the Mossman Gorge Centre and he is passionate about the work he does.

“I love what I am doing and I love sharing the knowledge and culture about Aboriginal people of the land,” Cameron said.

The centre employs up to 70 Indigenous people during the tourism high season and in the first month of operation the business welcomed 30,000 visitors through the centre.

Kuku Yalanji elder and driving force behind the establishment of the business Roy Gibson is proud of what’s been achieved and says it’s a great way to share their people’s story.

“It is our turn to show that we can do something and share culture at the same time,” Roy said.