LOCAL primary school teacher, lecturer, health worker and musician George Walley has been dreaming of establishing a tourism business for years.
Now his dream has become reality with the recent launch of Mandjoogoordap Dreaming – Mandurah Aboriginal Cultural Experience.
Mr Walley was a successful applicant under the Aboriginal Tourism Development Program (ATDP), a State Government Royalties for Regions-funded initiative through Tourism WA that provides support to a number of regional Aboriginal enterprises that add to the attraction of an area as a visitor destination and will lead to employment and income opportunities for Aboriginal people.
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READ NOWATDP chairman Tahn Donovan said the product offered by Mr Walley would add to the diverse range of experiences already available in the region.
Mr Walley said that by starting his business and journey into tourism he could combine his passion for sharing his culture with locals and visitors to the region as well as expanding in the future to provide employment and partnership opportunities with Aboriginal people as well as other operators.
He wanted to reflect what the area has in terms cultural knowledge.
The WAAMI-award winner who plays with the band Knotwork is planning river, ocean and estuary tours by bus, boat and canoe.
During Naidoc week in July he is hoping to organise a cruise in partnership with Mandurah Cruises.
Mandjoogoordap Dreaming is the first Aboriginal tourism operator in the Mandurah region for many years.
The website can be found at www.mandurahdreaming.com.au.
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