The Opera House, Bondi Beach and cute, cuddly Koalas. All essential ingredients to the great Ozzie Incentive Experience – but there is also a wish from some clients for indigenous encounters. By Ian Crawshaw

Cultural, spiritual and artistic integrity are the core of all Bangarra’s works,” says their business manager Sandy, “and audiences are given a unique opportunity to access contemporary indigenous culture whilst being given an insight into stories and steps that are 40,000 years old.” Her views on Bangarra Dance Theatre Company’s attractiveness to the MICE market could be echoed by any number of indigenous owned tourism related companies. For a nation with such rich indigenous heritage, it’s surprising how little aboriginal culture is actually promoted by Australian events and incentives organisers. Personally, I have probably been invited to five Moulin Rouge parties in the past 12 months but to not even one indigenous themed event or venue. There have been the occasional door greetings by two guys in blotchy white paint playing didgeridoos, but few organisers have explored possibilities for a fully indigenous themed event accommodation, music, dance, art, food – even the wine can be aboriginal! Before committing to a seriously themed event or incentive may be worth asking - why? Obviously, the first priority is the client’s wishes. Overseas groups especially seem to enjoy learning about an aboriginal culture which has received so much international publicity in recent years, with desert painting, athletes and award winning movies The Tracker and Rabbit Proof Fence. Domestic groups also gain a rewarding experience with the chance of face to face interaction and a more in depth consideration about the Australian culture we all share. But it needn’t come over as a heavy political statement. It can be different and fun! There are contemporary options for everything, from MCs and entertainment, to F&B and venue. Perhaps you’d like a famous, entertaining indigenous Australian as compere for your event? Aboriginal radio personality and stand up comedian/comedienne Mary G, ‘Queen of the Kimberleys’ has gained recognition in the wider Australian public through her SBS television series. Described by Kim Beazley as “the most terrifying woman in Australia”, her natural and friendly charisma puts her audience at ease with gentle leg pulling and innuendo. Mary G comes complete with her own band the G-Spots, and will soon have your clients howling with laughter. Your guests won’t forget their evening with a cross-dressing Aboriginal comedienne. Entertainment at an indigenous themed event can be diverse, and on many levels. Pioneers in the corporate gigs market is Sydney based Bangarra Dance Theatre – an internationally acclaimed modern Australian dance troupe who blend traditional styles and themes with contemporary dance and 21st century theatre technology.

Often performing to corporate groups of up to 500 guests in city hotels, performances are tailored to the group’s needs, anything from a solo dancer to the full dance group performing their latest shows including Clan and Spirit. Many organisers may not realise that Bangarra also have their own function rooms and theatre (with retractable seats for 200) for hire at Walsh Bay, with spectacular views of the city and Harbour Bridge. Telstra, Qantas and Boral have held functions at the Bangarra Mezzanine at Walsh Bay with dance performances as an added incentive. But remember this is contemporary indigenous culture, says Sandy Collins, and the group won’t accept stereotyping from event artistic directors. “[Often] they want to change the music, “ says Sandy, “[saying things like] ‘why can’t you get a didgeridoo player?’ Or they want to change the choreography – ‘that piece is too long/too slow, why can’t you start it here?’ “Accept when booking that Bangarra is in the frontline of contemporary Australian culture, and that is something they, like most artists, will not compromise, no matter how big the client.” And contemporary Aboriginal theatre is not just confined to Sydney. In Perth is the innovative Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre who also blend the modern with traditional. Their show Djildjit “…breathes new life and energy into the sacred myths and stories of the ancient Dreamtime,” says artistic director of Yirra Yaakin David Milroy. “[The show was] developed with the Wind Jam people, traditional custodians of the Mandurah-Peel Inlet region.” It sounds serious but performances have a light-hearted and comical approach that will teach your clients the myths of the west coast over an enjoyable picnic overlooking a golden Perth beach.

An indigenous twist
When planning an Aboriginal theme to you meeting or event you can add a twist by holding the event at an indigenous owned venue. There are new meeting centres and resorts offering facilities for small to medium meetings and also accommodation at all levels. In the wine region of the Hunter valley on land owned by the Awabakal people is Yamuloong (meaning ‘come together’). In addition to their three meetings rooms, Yamuloong offers delegates bush walks through their seven acres of land and banqueting including bush tucker options. Bush tucker is not to everyone’s taste, and Australia’s first Aboriginal owned and worked winery Murrin Bridge can help your guests wash down their tucker with Murrinbridge Shiraz or Chardonnay. Merlot and Semillon production will start soon, and with distinctive and authentic Aboriginal art labels, Murrinbridge Wine is not only a ready themed tabletop wine for functions, it makes an interesting take home gift, especially for overseas delegates. Murrin Bridge Winery is a community initiative inspiring disadvantaged communities, black and white, all around Australia. Craig Cromelin, a founding member, believes the sole Aboriginal ownership of the winery is socially significant. “All profits go straight back into the community (Murrin Bridge, Riverina), and most importantly it provides employment. Only we can break the shackles of dependency, only we can make it happen.” So why not give your clients some Merlot with a message? In more remote areas of Australia there are also theme parks which have become familiar on the incentive route. Foremost of these is the pioneering and award winning Tjapukai. Delegates can be driven in from Cairns for a champagne breakfast followed by a VIP educational tour. Tours cover different topics – everything from boomerang throwing, bush tucker, dance, history or a spectacular holographic and dance show “creation theatre” – available in eight different languages. One of their latest projects, Tjapukai By Night, is tailor made for the MICE market - a spectacular night show featuring fire, music, dancing, comedy and a buffet of regional Australian cuisine. It is one of the most professional introductions to authentic Aboriginal culture your clients could hope for. More easily accessible for clients attending conventions in Melbourne is Narana Creations, an aboriginal cultural centre which is also a good source of authentic indigenous gifts for delegates. Everything from finely crafted didgeridoos, bark paintings and carvings. The centre has a selection of walks and talks from boomerang throwing to the more serious Yarni-Mindin (Talk Time) workshop suitable for incentive groups designed to stimulate discussion and active participation in reconciliation.

Indigenous resorts
Throughout Australia there are also several well organised indigenous owned hotels and resorts which offer meetings facilities – such as the luxurious Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory. But if you clients have time and want a more rugged indigenous experience there are now several aboriginal owned resorts in remote corners of Australia giving once in a lifetime experiences of the land. In Far North Queensland’s Arnhem Land is Pajinka Wilderness Lodge, owned and operated by the local Injinoo people, only 400 metres from the northern most tip of Australia’s mainland. Whilst way over on the other side of the continent is Kulmanjan, a resort on the dazzling white sands of Cape Leveque offering three types of accommodation with plenty of local indigenous attractions including the famous Lombadina and Beagle Bay communities with their famous churches and mother of pearl carvings. This is probably CEO territory – an exclusive guided indigenous interlude between, maybe, the wine regions of the Margaret River and the big city sophistication of a convention in Perth or Sydney, and will guarantee your top clients a memorable trip to outback Australia. And for a unique Aboriginal incentive experience in the heart of Sydney, there is the Tribal Warrior Association who own two boats. Choose from the sailing ship Tribal Warrior (20 pax) flying the Aboriginal Flag and an ex-Navy Torpedo Recovery Vessel The Deerubbun (60 pax) extensively refurbished, painted and carved with Aboriginal designs. This 100 per cent Aboriginal owned charter cruise company encourages corporate bookings, and provides cruise-goers with a perspective of Sydney Harbour dating back thousands of years to the time of the original Eora and Gadigal inhabitants. Take the standard harbour sights party cruise, or book additional options of Aboriginal dancers, Didgeridoo players and a commentary on the pre-and postcolonial history of the harbour. There are also options for an onboard BBQ of bush tucker. The Tribal Warrior Association is more than a boat charter company, it is also a training scheme for young indigenous people from throughout Australia to come and study for their Maritime qualifications. So when fielding requests by an overseas group for something with an indigenous flavour, offer at least an option of genuine face to face contact with indigenous Australia. It is rewarding for both your clients and Australia’s budding indigenous owned tourism industry. Organisations such as Aboriginal Tourism Australia are more than happy to help with contacts and advice. And if it’s all a little too real for your clients, well, you can always go back to the two guys at the front door playing didgeridoos, and the Made In China boomerang key ring!