Kathleen Cox at Goombaragin Eco Ventures

Background

© Tourism Australia

It was a family decision to go back to country and establish a home and business where they could work towards independence from government welfare, take control or their own destiny and aspire to be leaders for their people.

Kathleen Cox

Tourism in the Kimberley is a booming industry and the Dampier Peninsula is no exception particularly with regards to Cultural Tourism. Many international and domestic visitors are in search of an authentic Aboriginal experience. Goombaragin offers the opportunity for full immersion in traditional culture, where Kathleen and her family are proud to share their stories, unique lifestyle and love for country.

The product

Goombaragin offers semi inclusive cultural tours and accommodation packages of 3 days 2 nights staying in ‘Up Market’ tents on platforms. Tours focus on lifestyle and culture sharing activities with up market camping accommodation provided by way of tents on platforms inclusive of bedding and linen.

• 2.5 hrs Cultural Interpretive Bush Walk that includes information on native plants and their uses as food, medicinal properties, artefacts, building and hunting practices.
• Interpretative signage consists of Bard six seasons, botanical, common and Bard names of the flora.
• 2.5 hrs Coastal Scenic Walk that includes stunning scenery showcasing beaches, pindan cliff landscapes, geological timeframe of country and panoramic ocean views.
• 1.5 hr Reef Interpretation includes sharing of information of intertidal marine life and how seafood is identified as edible and what is not and what dangers are around.
• Half day beach or land based fishing.
• Sharing of stories around a campfire

Self guided activities on offer include:

• Aalin’s lookout
• Whale watching
• Swimming
• Snorkelling
• Bird watching
• Sunsets & Sunrises
• Remote secluded beaches
• Relaxation

Help and assistance

Kathleen echoes the sentiments of many tourism operators in that she says that “the road to establishing a business is not easy”. The Homelands movement involved the establishment of the community and the business and required the support of volunteer groups, government bodies, Aboriginal people, educational institutions, service providers, private enterprise and family.

Greencorps is just one of the Volunteer Groups that has assisted the community in the construction and development of the Bush Shelter and Cultural Interpretive Bush Walk.

© Tourism Australia

In April 2005 Goombaragin Community entered into a SRA with the Australian Government through the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) and the Government of Western Australia. This agreement was based on the recognition and respect of each others rights and responsibilities and has provided a basis for cooperation and partnership between the community and government(s).

From this Goombaragin has received financial support for which has seen the establishment of the up market tents on platforms, expansion on the current self contained communal kitchen and an ablution block.

Kathleen has worked with a mentor funded through Indigenous Business Australia to compile her goals and strategies into a comprehensive business plan. Her plan outlines the staged approached to development and the milestones necessary to achieve each stage.

Collaboration

Operators from the Dampier Peninsula has been meeting together for over five years and in the last two years have officially became Incorporated, voting in a Committee and compiling a strategic plan setting a clear direction for our future within the tourism industry.

Ardi Indigenous Tourism Operators Inc ARDI is the result of this. It is a member driven organization and its focus is to market and grow tourism on the Dampier Peninsula within a well managed and strategic framework particularly ensuring that all products meet a high standard and are authentic.

Ardi is in the process of negotiating a Regional Partnership Agreement RPA with the Commonwealth and State Governments regarding Cultural Tourism Outcomes on the Dampier Peninsula.

The challenges

Twilight tour

There is great pressure for Goombaragin to ensure that they are delivering what their clients expect. It is a challenge to maintain consistency of service, and requires 100% commitment to planning for any foreseeable events.

Kathleen is also very concerned about multi national companies placing developmental pressure on the peninsula. There was a proposed LNG Plant that was planned to be positioned directly across from Goombaragin’s favourite lookout - Aalin’s Lookout. This spot is very popular for visitors who sit and enjoy the peace, natural surroundings, marine life and sunsets.

Secret to success

Kathleen believes that her secret to bringing her dream to fruition is her belief in the business, the commitment to working towards set goals, setting out realistic milestones that are achievable, working with positive people, and maintaining a belief in herself, her family and the potential for what they can all achieve together.

What’s next?

Kathleen has plans for self contained chalets, though believes it is important to maintain a well planned staged approach to growth. They are looking to establish regional partnerships with neighbouring Aboriginal communities, where visitors could be offered a wide range of cultural nature based activities.

They are also working on the establishment of a horticulture facility where native plants are propagated on site and either planted at the community or sold to other communities and major towns such as Broome. They would also like to supply “taste plates’ (tapas) for guests in the future.