Kooljaman at Cape Leveque

Overview

Kooljaman at Cape Leveque

Kooljaman at Cape Leveque is located at the tip of the Dampier Peninsula, 220 km north of Broome, Western Australia.

It is jointly owned by the two surrounding Aboriginal communities of Djarindjin and One Arm Point, who have developed this unique wilderness style luxury camp in line with the community’s aspirations and inherent knowledge of the land.

It is surrounded by a diversity of natural wonders, amazing wildlife, a vast array of marine life and a stunning coastline which allows tourists unrestricted views of magnificent sunrises and sunsets.

The beautiful Dampier Peninsula

Kooljaman at Cape Leveque offers the opportunity to explore and enjoy a remote wilderness environment located in an area of unrivalled physical beauty and uniqueness.

Kooljaman offers the following accommodation infrastructure (2006 Rates):

• Safari Tents - The stunning safari tents are built on raised timber decking high on the hillside to take advantage of the panoramic ocean views. All are set up for families with a queen bed and 2 single beds. Each tent has its own large balcony, a private bathroom, quality fixtures & fittings, full size fridge/freezer, all cooking equipment, linen and a gourmet gas barbecue on the veranda. Nightly rates: $105 per person (twin share).
• Ensuite Cabins - Set just back from the beach in a secluded bush setting, each cabin has 1 queen bed & 3 single beds along with a private toilet & shower. Cabins come equipped with, ceiling fans, fridge/freezer, tea & coffee making facilities, an outdoor setting and a gas barbecue. Basic camping style cooking equipment is supplied and includes pots, pans, crockery, cutlery, tea towel and dishwashing requirements. Nightly rates: $67.50 per person (twin share).
• Log Cabins - These charming cabins are made from bush poles with a tin roof and opening shutters with toilet/shower facilities being shared between two cabins. Each cabin sleeps 4 people (1 queen bed & 2 singles) and feature open construction, some have ocean views. They have all of the facilities as listed above for the Ensuite cabins with the exception of the private toilet & shower. Nightly rates: $60 per person (twin share).
• Campground Units - The units are located in the campground. Each sleeps up to 4 people (1 queen bed & 2 singles) and contains ceiling fans, fridge/freezer, basic camping style cooking equipment, tea & coffee and all linen. There is an outdoor setting and gas barbecue at each unit. Ablution facilities are located next door and shared with the campground. Nightly rates: $50 per person (twin share).
• Mini Safari Tents - The Dome style tents are located in the campground. Each sleeps up to 2 people and contains a comfortable bed (twin or double), fan and light. There is a small balcony with shade and chairs. Gas barbecues, refrigerators and ablutions are located in the campground. Nightly rates: $30 per person (twin share)
• Beach Shelters - The beach shelters are located on the beach front close to the water's edge and are made from bush poles with palm frond roof and walls and a sand floor. Each shelter has a picnic table, open fresh water shower and a wood barbecue. Shared ablution facilities are located nearby. Nightly rates: $30 per person (twin share).
• Camping - There are 30 powered & unpowered sites located in a grassed area with some shade cover, wood barbecue's are situated throughout the campsite. Ablutions, BBQ's and laundry facilities are located nearby. Nightly rates: $16 per adult, $8 per child (3 – 16yrs).

Leadership

Room with a view

Since its inception in 1986, Kooljaman has been led by a Board of Directors, comprising three directors from One Arm Point Community (including the current Chairman), and three directors from Djarindjin Community. The Board are all Bardi Aboriginal people who liaise closely with Kooljaman’s staff and each of the local communities to ensure a cohesive relationship is maintained.

The Kooljaman Board and Management team also liaise with the community councils on all major issues and meet formally every second month to discuss planning and employment initiatives. All significant decision making and development planning is done by the Board in conjunction with the Bardi people to ensure it is done in a way in which is appropriate, this ensures the care of the environment and the spiritual wellbeing of the land is paramount in the ongoing operation of the complex.

The active leadership of the Kooljaman Board in all planning processes has helped ensure that the tourism venture is sensitive to community aims and aspirations. It also enables Kooljaman to capture and reflect the essence and spirituality of the place and its people.

The location of Kooljaman provides community members the opportunity to participate in this tourism venture, whilst at the same time, not compromising their wider community’s privacy and lifestyle. It is seen as a stepping stone to economic and commercial independence, a training ground for the young people, and a vehicle for greater understanding of Aboriginality.

The success of Kooljaman has encouraged many residents on the Dampier peninsula to forge ahead with a tourism business of their own, either feeding off Kooljaman’s visitors with a complimentary product or service, or catering to a new market.

With Kooljaman initially set up as the drawcard to the region, the Dampier Peninsula now offers more indigenous tourism product than any other region in Australia. There is now close to 15 accommodation providers (including campgrounds) and nearly 20 indigenous tour operators, employing an estimated 150 people in various roles.

Promotion of Culture

For the Aboriginal people of the Djarindjin and One Arm Point communities, Kooljaman represents a unique opportunity to link Aboriginal culture and traditions with the modern world in a controlled environment. The communities are very keen to develop tourism but are conscious of their privacy and the effects that unplanned tourism might have on their traditions and culture.

Kooljaman provides a tangible expression of culture, language and history through the following:

• Display and sale of artworks, artefacts, historical photos and indigenous publications about the area.
• The opportunity to liaise with local community people on staff at Kooljaman and by joining guides on tours to the local communities and beyond to learn about local culture.
• Information boards, signage trails and murals display information about Bardi seasons, Bardi bird names, history and bush tucker/medicine plants.
• Place mats provided by community schools depict traditions and stories.
• Provision of information sheets to educate visitors about the history and culture of the area.
• Signage details the importance of the land, and the local flora, fauna and marine life to the Bardi people.
• Traditional names are given to all beach shelters and safari tents.
• Restriction of access to certain areas of cultural significance – with explanatory signage.
• Observation of cultural ceremonies, and advising guests of access restrictions at these times.

Benefits for the Aboriginal communities

Kooljaman is 100% owned by the local communities; as such all of their operations are purely centred on benefiting and respecting the local communities and their culture. These benefits include empowerment, involvement, employment and financial returns. As well as direct dividend payments, the communities also derive returns from other investments in accommodation, sponsorships and donations.

Kooljaman has formalised a comprehensive schools program, which incorporates a significant budgeted expenditure on involving the local Aboriginal schools in the activities of Kooljaman. Activities undertaken have included sponsorships, camps, outings, visitor interaction, fundraising, school based traineeships, work experience and art and artefact exhibitions.

When the children from the local community schools come and visit, they are able to see a tangible expression of their history and culture and are encouraged to share their knowledge with guests.

• Sponsorships of local schools, sporting groups and cultural festivals.
• Procurement and display of historical photographs, information, artefacts and artwork.
• Fundraising for schools through hosting events and selling maps, key rings, mangoes and chocolates.
• Provision of meals and accommodation for school outings and camps.
• Controlling access to the communities when they are engaging in traditional ceremonies.
• Hosting school field trips and Cultural Studies camps.
• Erecting barriers and signage to prevent access to culturally significant sites.
• Educating guests to respect traditions, protocols and spirituality of the land.
• Display of an interpretive ‘Season Wheel’ providing information about the Bardi Seasons.
• Promotion of surrounding Aboriginal owned tourism businesses through inclusion on Kooljaman’s website, in advertising literature, on Kooljaman’s notice boards, room compendiums, brochure displays, posters, and verbal recommendations of local products to guests
• Hosting school based traineeships and conducting special seminars for local school children interested in working in tourism.

Employment and training initiatives and outcomes

Kooljaman guides

By involving a significant number of indigenous community members in the operations of Kooljaman, there has been the start up and ongoing success of many new indigenous business enterprises, and the launch of exciting new careers for some individuals.

Traineeships are offered to members of the communities of One Arm Point and Djarindjin. Onsite training is provided in all departments dealing with all aspects of the day-to-day running of the complex.

Many new initiatives have been introduced to promote indigenous employment at Kooljaman. Some of the more successful initiatives introduced include:

• Putting notices up in the community office and shops to advertise all vacant positions to community.
• Encouragement of indigenous small businesses to supply affiliated services to Kooljaman and its guests.
• Promoting local indigenous small businesses to guests staying at Kooljaman.
• Assisting local indigenous businesses with marketing, accounts, ordering, planning and management.
• Working with TAFE to provide hospitality work experience for trainees.
• Sponsoring school field trips to Kooljaman to increase exposure and familiarization.
• Kooljaman staff attending meetings in the community to discuss new initiatives for community employment
• Assisting indigenous employees with transport to and from Kooljaman as well as providing onsite accommodation when required.

How has tourism affected the community?

According to Louie Bin Maarus, Kooljaman’s Chairman ""Kooljaman is a great source of pride for the communities, our success has recognised the hard work and contribution of all of the local people in presenting a world class Aboriginal tourism experience.”

Director Brian Lee said “It is great to see the kids getting involved, and the skills they are learning. Many people are now inspired to have a go at starting up their own tourism business, now that they can see how successful Kooljaman is.”

Staff member Dwesmond Wiggan said “working at Kooljaman gives me the opportunity to meet lots of interesting people. I am learning new skills and find it really rewarding. I am also doing a course in Tourism at TAFE, so that in the future I can take on a more senior position.”

KOOLJAMAN AT A GLANCE