In recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8, Tropical North Queensland, home to the largest number of Indigenous and eco-certified tourism experiences in Australia, is shining a light on five women who are making a difference in the world of sustainable and Indigenous tourism.
Female Indigenous Tour Guides
Sisters Joanne, Leeann and Brenda Mundraby are Indigenous tour guides who lead groups on the Hands-on Country Eco Tour to East Trinity, welcoming visitors to their own ancestral homeland. Working with the Indigenous-owned and operated Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours in Cairns, the trio are playing a crucial role in promoting sustainable, responsible, and community-based tourism on their traditional lands. As Indigenous Tour Guides, they have become powerful cultural ambassadors for Mandingalbay Yidinji people.
“I love that our guests are wanting to come to us and learn about our culture and we’re able to create that safe space for them to ask questions”, remarked Joanne. Leeann added, “It means the world to work on-country, as it makes me feel close to the old people and connected to them.” For Brenda, working on-country is about the next generation, “I get to keep my culture alive and pass it down to my children. Once I’m on-country my worries go away,” she said. She added, “With some guests we feel a personal connection to them right away and I feel that by coming on to our country with us in some way heals them too.”
The Great Barrier Reef’s “Fish Whisperer”
Master Reef Guide Michelle Barry takes mind-boggling interpretation of the world’s most famous natural wonder – the Great Barrier Reef – to a whole new level.
An underwater Dr. Doolittle of sorts, Michelle intuitively communicates with all creatures great and small on the Reef. Earning a reputation as the Reef’s resident potato cod whisperer, dwarf minke whale crooner, and shark champion, Michelle is a dive guide and instructor aboard the Spirit of Freedom, a liveaboard vessel that welcomes guests who want to explore the Reef. Originally from the United States, the 43-year-old who grew up talking to animals in Hudson, New Hampshire – more famous for moose, coyotes and black bears – and has been living in Australia since 2010.
Turtle Rescuer
Jennie Gilbert, co-founder of Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, is an experienced zoologist and veterinarian technologist who has devoted her life to caring for animals. Jennie has helped rehabilitate hundreds of sick and injured reptiles back to health over the past 31 years, releasing them back into the Great Barrier Reef and Cape York region.
Jennie spends her time running the center and undertaking postgraduate research at James Cook University, researching threats to marine turtles and monitoring turtles’ rehabilitation journeys with the use of satellite trackers. The center works closely alongside other organizations, including the Department of Environment and heritage and indigenous groups, to support sea turtle conservation work across the Great Barrier Reef.
Thanks to Jennie’s work, sea turtle conservation has greatly progressed over the years pointing to a positive future ahead for all six species of turtles that live on the Great Barrier Reef.