Ardent parks embraces indigenous culture

After more than a year of planning, Gold Coast theme parks Dreamworld and WhiteWater World have introduced a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), believed to be a first in an Australian attraction.

Dreamworld Chief Executive Noel Dempsey said the plan will help the park reach out and introduce its guests to the traditional culture and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, explaining "there's a growing community sentiment, particularly since the 'Sorry' statement in 2007, and we're responding to what appears to be a shift in the community around embracing indigenous culture."

Dempsey added that "we also think it's the right thing to do."

Dempsey explained that Dreamworld's experience is that overseas visitors to Australia are demanding authentic indigenous experiences and more than mass-produced didgeridoos or plastic boomerangs from their trip Down Under, explaining "a large number of international guests to Australia come through Sydney or Melbourne and the Gold Coast, and may not even touch indigenous culture, and they're screaming out for it.

"We felt that before we embarked on creating a new precinct and new attraction, that we needed to have the corporate commitment that this Reconciliation Action Plan gives us.

"We'll be looking to work with the local mobs for training, induction, employment opportunities etc, and then starting to showcase the culture around the park."

Dempsey would not state what proportion of the park's workforce whould be indigenous, stating "we felt it was dangerous to stick a number down but our commitment is by December that we will have some stated numbers and objectives, so by Christmas this year we'll have training and employment commitments and certainly in-park presence.

"What's really powerful for us is that we have more than a thousand staff here at Dreamworld and just the induction, training and education of those staff about indigenous culture will be a real opportunity for us."

Aunty Patricia O'Connor from the Kombumerri People said the indigenous people of the region supported the park's initiative, stating "this is another step forward for all our communities.

"As Australia's become a multicultural nation, we all should learn to come together, and work together and move forward with a bright future for all."

2nd March 2010 - ARDENT LEISURE CONFIRMS GOLD COAST OPENINGS