2015 BANKSIA INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP AWARD

Winner

Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism Aboriginal Corporation
LIRRWI YOLNGU TOURISM ABORIGINAL CORPORATION, NT

Lirrwi Tourism was formed in 2010 to develop a new economy and travel destination in Arnhem Land through cultural tourism. Lirrwi has experienced rapid growth, and from a small start in 2010 running a few tours to two homelands, will in 2015 deliver 52 tours to corporate groups, schools and consumer tours in 10 homelands. In 2014 a 20-year Masterplan was launched. It has been acclaimed as a visionary new model for Indigenous economic development. The Masterplan is available on Lirrwi’s website lirrwitourism.com.au and is attached to this submission.

Lirrwi has a staff of six Yolngu people working under Manager, Matt Grooby. He reports to a Board of six influential Yolngu leaders, Chaired by Djawa Timmy Burarrwanga. Three non-Indigenous people also work for Lirrwi in the operations, office management and technology areas. Lirrwi is advised by John Morse AM, former CEO of Tourism Australia and an Advisory Panel comprising four prominent Australians Geoff Dixon, Professor Andrea Hull, Jane Madden and Bill Wright. The 20yr Masterplan took two years to develop, and a significant amount of time in consultation with Yolngu people across Arnhem Land. It was developed with assistance from a Strategic Tourism Investment grant of $825,000 from the Dept of Tourism under then Minister, Hon Martin Ferguson. This has been supported by Partnerships with the Corporate sector, and Northern Territory Govt, plus a number of Government Business Enterprises and NGO’s. Lirrwi’s 20 year plan is to create 50 new businesses on homelands, and employment for up to 1,000 people.