Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef acknowledges that we
work, live and play on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.
We pay our respects to elders past, present and future.

 

Recognising Our Traditional Custodians

Tropical North Queensland is the only region in Australia with two distinct Indigenous cultures; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been continuously active longer than any other culture on the planet.

Welcome to Country

Protocols for welcoming visitors to Country have been a part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures for thousands of years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups had clear boundaries separating their Country from that of other groups. Crossing into another group’s Country required a request for permission to enter. When permission was granted the hosting group would welcome the visitors, offering them safe passage and protection of their spiritual being during the journey. While visitors were provided with a safe passage, they also had to respect the protocols and rules of the landowner group while on their Country.

Today, much has changed, and these protocols have been adapted to contemporary circumstances. However, the essential elements of welcoming visitors and offering safe passage remain in place. A Welcome to Country occurs at the beginning of a formal event and can take many forms including singing, dancing, smoking ceremonies or a speech in traditional language or English. A Welcome to Country is delivered by Traditional Owners, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been given permission from Traditional Owners, to welcome visitors to their Country.

Acknowledgement of Country

An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity for anyone to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country. It can be given by both non-Indigenous people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There are no set protocols or wording for an Acknowledgement of Country, though often a statement may take the following forms:

General –

“I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today. I would also like to pay my respects to Elders past and present.”

Specific –

“I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the (people) of the (nation) and pay my respects to Elders past and present.”

Similar to a Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgement of Country is generally offered at the beginning of a meeting, speech or formal occasion. Contacts for Traditional Custodians in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef can be found below.

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From reef to runway, @cairnsfashionweek has landed in the heart of the tropics 🪸👠

Six days of cutting-edge fashion, set against the stunning backdrop of the Great Barrier Reef, where breathtaking landscapes and bold styles collide. See you on the catwalk! Book your tickets now – Ends Sunday!

#ExploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR  #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia

[ID: Behind-the-scenes footage of Cairns Fashion Week, featuring interviews with models and designers, alongside runway highlights.]
The greatest LOVE STORY is happening on the Great Barrier Reef right now ❤️
 
Trillions of coral eggs and sperm unite in an underwater snowstorm, setting the stage for the ultimate (coral) baby boom 🪸✨ AKA: Coral Spawning
 
And this year, it’s getting a helping hand! A team from @australianmarinescience is training Cairns and @portdouglasdaintree marine industries in the cutting-edge Coral IVF technique. These tiny bundles of life will then be planted on reefs affected by bleaching 🩵🐠
 
With Coral IVF boosting fertilisation success rates by 100 times, the program is supporting the future of our @gbrmarinepark
 
#ExploreTNQ #ExploreCairnsGBR #ThisIsQueensland #SeeAustralia
 
[ID Video showcasing coral spawning taking place on the Great Barrier Reef, which looks like a beautiful snowstorm of coral eggs and sperm uniting]
Galloping into the week like… 

The views are better on horseback in the #DaintreeRainforest 💚 Join @capetribhorserides to ride beneath the rainforest canopy and into the clear blue shallows of @portdouglasdaintree #CapeTribulation

🎥 @australia 

#ExploreTNQ #ExploreCairnsGBR #SeeAustralia #ComeAndSayGday #ThisIsQueensland

[ID: Text over video reads “POV: Exploring the Daintree Rainforest on horseback” over a montage of videos showing a group of people riding horses in a line through lush green rainforest, over streams and across a flat, sandy shoreline.]
Meet you for a @portdouglasdaintree sunrise? 🌴🩷

Early mornings, salty air and sunrises that take your breath away - there’s no better start! 

🎥 @kellerdiaries 

#ExploreTNQ #ExploreCairnsGBR #ThisIsQueensland #SeeAustralia 
[ID: A point of view video of someone running to catch a pastel pink and purple sunrise in Port Douglas.]