January 31, 2024
Colleen is a Nhanda Elder, mother, wife, grandmother, Cultural Advisor, and owner/operator of Kurlaji Wangga. Colleen has long term plans to develop her business to the point where she can pass on to her family once she retires. She will begin operating tours on her Country in early 2024, showcasing sites where she had been raised with a strong connection to her father and his occupation at Murchinson House Station.
Background:
As part of the Aboriginal Tourism Academy, and supported by the Business Support Hub for the past 8 months, she has demonstrated values of family, culture and integrity. After a recent visit with our Support Hub Coordinator Kyle on Country in Kalbarri, Colleen opened her heart and said, “I’d like to thank you Kyle, as if you had not come along when you did, I would have given up on this tourism dream.” Such is the impact WAITOC has been able to impart.
WAITOC Support:
- Development of Kalbarri Tag along Tour product including pricing, routes, messaging, safety procedures and customer service training.
- On country visits to properties to ‘’dry run’’ product
- Commercial Tourism Activity Application through local shires plus liaison with other government departments such as Main Roads, plus owners of properties in which tour will operate and other stakeholders.
- Guidance on Capacity Building, business administration
- Marketing including website Home :: Kurlaji Wangga, and developed Social pages
- Financial and admin assistance with laptop, phone and IT security
- Provision of safety equipment and uniforms
Results, Impact and Future:
Although there have been challenges with bureaucratic processes from the local Shire, both parties are eager to see her product come to life. From here, we will be integrating her booking software, gaining traction on socials, and developing new products and tour offerings.
Colleen also performs Welcome to Countries at the National Park, and she also works at Kurla Mungga, (Art gallery in Northampton). A promising project in the works is Kurla Mungga collaborating with Hoosh Designs and Skywalk Cafe to perform at the Nhanda Past, Present and Future dinner event in December 2024 (TBC).
Images:
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