A group of US incentive buyers were treated to an experience altogether a little different on a recent educational trip to Ayers Rock Resort – a rough and tumble game of Aussie Rules with Aboriginal students from the local Nyangatjatjara College.
Incentive buyers mix it with aboriginal students
The incentive buyers were visiting Ayers Rock Resort on an educational visit prior to the Tourism Australia incentive travel showcase Dreamtime 2009, held in Sydney.
During their visit on October 12, Voyages Ayers Rock Resort and the Northern Territory Convention Bureau sponsored an AFL football clinic and game at the Yulara Oval within Ayers Rock Resort.
Students from the local Aboriginal communities of Mutitjulu, Uluru’s closest neighbours, Docker River and Imanpa enjoyed an afternoon of AFL at the Yulara Oval, with more than 30 students travelling to Yulara to participate in football for the boys.
“There was very strong interest among the students to attend the game that all the troopies were full and some students were unable to attend,” said Nyangatjatjara College CEO Robyn Jorgensen.
Teams were mixed with the students and the incentive buyers, all battling it out on the pitch, with the girls lending support and cheering the teams on. There was plenty of action as the locals and guests enjoyed the skill and competitive spirit of AFL.
On presentation of the medals the NT Convention Bureau together with Voyages Ayers Rock Resort presented Nyangatjatjara College with a commitment to supply an Interactive Whiteboard, a teaching resource to help the college students with their numeracy and literacy.
“Our students are keenly interested in anything digital so the board will be a wonderful tool for supporting their learning across all areas of the curriculum. We are really appreciative of the support from Voyages and the NT Convention Bureau.” Jorgensen added.
The group also spent a day with artists from local craft group Maruku Arts where they were able to meet with the artists, and take part in some traditional Aboriginal dot painting and carving.
Ayers Rock Resort general manager Bernie Boller said: “We organised the AFL clinic and game to encourage some real engagement between the incentive buyers and the students from the local communities, and via the presentation of the Interactive Whiteboard, to give something back to Nyangatjatjara College.
“Corporate and incentive travel groups are increasingly looking for something meaningful to engage in and to allow them to give something back to local communities. Voyages Ayers Rock Resort has always been involved with the College, and this was a new way of organising a fun experience for both the students and the US buyers,” he said.
Boller said Corporate Social Responsibility activities such as these are becoming an integral component to corporate and incentive travel programs and Voyages Ayers Rock Resort has always had a strong and supportive relationship with the College and its students.
