Brendon Grylls during a visit to Karijini, pictured with Steve Mav, Churchill Jones (far right), Ken Ingie (far left) and his grandson Josiah.
Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) has been awarded $1 million from the WA State Government - through the Government’s Royalties for Regions program – which will help fund a strategic $1.6 million infrastructure project at the majestic Karijini National Park.
The project will consist of the construction of a state-of-the-art cultural amphitheatre and dorm-style accommodation units at Karijini Eco Retreat.
Gumala operates the tourist award-winning Karijini Eco Retreat in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM).
The announcement of the awarding of the State Government funding to GAC was made on June 23 by Hon. Brendon Grylls, Minister for Regional Development, as part of the Pilbara Revitalisation Plan Phase Two.
In making the announcement, the Minister said that he was excited by Gumala’s vision to expand the experience for visitors to the Karijini National Park.
Minister Grylls added that he was pleased that the Liberal-National Government was able to assist the Traditional Owners achieve their long term goals for their organisation and people.
“I congratulate Gumala and the Traditional Owners for their foresight and determination to further develop the Karijini Eco Retreat” the Minister said. “This will not only enhance the experience for visitors to the National Park but will support employment and economic opportunities for local Indigenous people from the expected growth in tourism to one of the State’s most majestic inland areas.
“The Royalties for Regions program has achieved a great deal since its inception and programs such as these are vital for the future growth of regional WA,” Mr Grylls added.
GAC’s Chief Executive, Steve Mav, said he was extremely appreciative of the support GAC had received from Hon. Brendon Grylls and the Liberal-National Government regarding GAC’s Education and Cultural Amphitheatre Vision.
“Karijini Eco Retreat is the jewel in the crown in terms of eco-tourism is Australia. This funding announcement represents a significant achievement for GAC and its associated enterprises. GAC has recently undertaken major reforms, and the fact that the Traditional Owners have made a commitment to further invest in this iconic eco tourism business is testament to the success of those reforms.
“Gumala’s tourism business was originally initiated as an additional strategy to improve the long-term benefits to the Traditional Owners, so this announcement significantly enhances that cause.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Minister Grylls for supporting investment in the Pilbara and surrounding communities, including the Traditional Owners. This is a wonderful thing to happen – and it is in line with GAC strategic growth plan as one of Australia’s largest Indigenous corporations, with a membership base of over 1200 Traditional Owners.
“I am also delighted that the Traditional Owners have the opportunity to expand their iconic tourism business at Karijini.
“I am proud to have taken part in the hard work that was required to achieve this funding outcome, and I am elated that the success story at Karijini will continue.
“The long term future of Karijini National Park and Karijini Eco Retreat is assured, and we look forward to the continuing flow of local and international tourists that come to visit Karijini National Park – a spectacular, truly unique natural treasure.
“Karijini Eco Retreat is part of the social fabric of the Tom Price and Paraburdoo communities, so I would like to thank these communities for being part of the growth of Karijini Eco Retreat by providing support to the tourism business.”
Karijini National Park is located within the traditional heartland of Banyjima country.
Banyjima Elder and GAC Board Deputy Chairman, Archie Tucker, said: “Securing the Royalties for Regions funding for the cultural amphitheatre and accommodation facility represents a landmark moment for the Banyjima people and for Karijini National Park. The announcement of the awarding of the funding has left me lost for words. It is a wonderful opportunity for the Traditional Owners, their children, and future generations that follow.”
GAC Director (Banyjima language group) Karen Tommy said: “The project will assist with passing on the knowledge of our culture to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in that the Elders will now have a facility where they can pass on their culture to their children, and with international tourists coming through the park we can educate the world about Aboriginal culture.
“An important associated spin-off will be the creation of job opportunities for the Traditional Owners in their traditional lands.”
THE EDUCATION AND CULTURAL AMPHITHEATRE VISION
The Education and Cultural Amphitheatre Vision has two aspects, both of which would effectively attract school groups to Karijini National Park to bask in its natural wonder and learn about Australian Aboriginal culture from relevant Indigenous leaders.
Steve Mav: “Once built, the new state-of-the-art 140-seat cultural amphitheatre at Karijini Eco Retreat will offer visitors the incentive to expand their stay beyond a short over-night stay to an extended day immersive experience.
“The second aspect is to tap into the education/tourism niche by building six 8-bed dorm style accommodation units that can accommodate school groups wanting to learn and experience remote, regional Australia.
“During school holidays, this new accommodation option also offers us the exciting opportunity of catering to the exponentially expanding ‘flashpacker’ market – that is, providing a more comfortable standard of accommodation to travellers looking for a higher quality experience than normal backpacking without sacrificing the authenticity of their experience.”
Another key stakeholder in Karijini Eco Retreat is Hospitality Group, through its subsidiary, the eco retreat management company Ecomodation. Hospitality Group’s Chairman, Chris Pye, described the announcement as “a great day for the eco tourism sector of the WA tourism industry and for Indigenous tourism in particular.
“We are excited to see the Liberal/National Party Government’s Royalties for Regions program supporting the construction of much needed and significant tourism infrastructure in this beautiful but remote region by a leading Aboriginal corporation.
“This shows that the process advocated by Tourism WA which involves the tourism operators working with their local development commissions to access important infrastructure spending contributions from Government has the potential to be successful if the operators and the development commissions work together on landmark projects like the Karijini Eco Retreat.
“The facilities to be constructed at the Karijini Eco Retreat via this program will allow Hospitality Pty Ltd to offer new tourism and educational products to our local, domestic and international clients so that we might further develop the tourism industry in the Pilbara so that there might be a bright long term future for the local people which is not solely dependent on mining iron ore.
“We would like to acknowledge the support of the Department of the Environment and Conservation and the Pilbara Development Commission as well as the Royalties for Regions Program for this important initiative.”
Karijini National Park is the second largest national park in WA and is ranked in the top five visitor experiences for the State.
Since its grand opening in 2007, Karijini Eco Retreat has grown in sales and prominence to become one of the most outstanding tourism brands in WA.