Five young local Indigenous trainees celebrated a major professional milestone last Saturday, 18 April, at Thala Beach Nature Reserve, graduating with nationally recognised qualifications in hospitality and tourism.

The ceremony marked the 15th year of the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA), which operates under Voyages at both Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre and Ayers Rock Resort. 

Through this program, young Indigenous Australians live, learn, and earn on-site, combining classroom theory with hands-on work experience.

Since the program launched in 2011, it has produced 800 graduates nationwide, including 110 at the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre. 

The graduation comes at a significant time for Mossman Gorge following the announcement that Voyages Tourism Australia has joined the Journey Beyond family, with NITA remaining a central part of Voyages’ training and employment programs.

The graduates: Shaniekqua Dabah (Yarrabah), David McLean (Kuku Yalanji), Ghislaine McKeown-Ronsen (Boigu/Badu), Flora Wailu (Murray Island), and Mahalia Spratt (Kuku Yalanji), each earned a Certificate III qualification. 

Their training involved a mix of classroom theory and hands-on placements at prominent local businesses, including the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Daintree Eco Lodge, and Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas.

Graduate’s perspective

For David McLean, who completed a year-long traineeship as a tour guide for the Dreamtime Walks at Mossman Gorge, the graduation was a deeply personal achievement.

“My sister was a huge inspiration; she completed the NITA traineeship just a year before I joined,” David said. 

“I also wanted to follow in the footsteps of my grandfather and namesake, David Buchanan, who was one of the first Indigenous tour guides in the region.”

David admitted that stepping into the role of a guide was a significant challenge for him. 

“The traineeship basically changed my life."

"I used to be a very shy and reserved person, and jumping into tour guiding really pushed me out of my comfort zone,” he said. 

“However, I found that I learn much better by doing, and the experience helped me find my voice and gain a lot of confidence.”

That confidence now translates into a passion for cultural exchange.

“It’s a great feeling when people come up after a tour and mention how much they learned or how impressed they are by how culturally connected we still are."

"It’s about showing them how we choose to live our lives.”

Beyond professional growth, the program provides a residential experience where trainees live, learn, and earn on-site. 

David highlighted the social impact of the program, noting that he met many new friends and his partner during his time there.