The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, today officially launched Home Valley Station, a $15 million Indigenous pastoral-based tourism development in the East Kimberley.
Minister Ferguson said: “This development by the Indigenous Land Corporation highlights how tourism can assist in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in terms of training and economic opportunity.”
“Bought by the Indigenous Land Corporation on behalf of the Balangarra people, Home Valley is being operated as a working tourism business which not only creates Indigenous employment and training opportunities, but helps promote the Kimberly as a world class tourist destination.”
Positioned at the foot of the Kimberley’s iconic Cockburn Range, Home Valley offers a uniquely Australian outback experience by providing Eco-Tent accommodation and pastoral-based activities such as horse-riding and cattle mustering and Indigenous guided experiences such as bush tucker walks and fishing tours. At Home Valley Station, young Indigenous trainees will be central to these experiences.
Minister Ferguson said: “By working with Kimberley TAFE and Kimberly Group Training, Home Valley has also established a modern, fully-equipped training centre where young Indigenous people gain accredited, certificate-level qualifications in pastoral operations, tourism, hospitality and horticulture.
“Home Valley is a fantastic and practical way for Indigenous people to develop the skills they need to ensure they take up long-term employment opportunities in the tourism industry.”
Young Indigenous trainees from Kununurra and surrounding areas live-in at Home Valley Station and undertake paid, on-the-job, industry-level training while fully-participating in the day-to-day activities of the tourism enterprise such as guiding, transport, serving food and beverages, reception, room preparation, cleaning, building and yard maintenance and office administration.
Home Valley Station landscapes featured strongly in the move Australia and 20th Century Fox recently flew a large contingent of international journalists there as part of its world-wide launch of the DVD of the film.
Media contact: Michael Bradley – 0420 371 744