indigenous projects

HOPE VALE HISTORY | HOPE VALE 2006 BLOG | HOPE VALE MAP | PROJECTS IN PLANNING

Pelican has completed her third project with the Hope Vale Community in Cape York. The project took place over the Queensland school holidays between Sunday the 24th of September to Saturday 7th of October.

The ANZ bank sponsored the project and we were thrilled to have them back on board. Their support enables us to build on the foundation of trust gained in the 2005 project. As in the 2005 project we were working closely with and following the lead of the Community Elders and Hope Vale council. The council pledged “100% support” after the 2005 project.

The project kicked off with two days of short sails from Cooktown. This was available to the whole community especially those who cannot make the Lizard Island trip. We then sailed with two or three boatloads of Community members to the campsite exclusively booked for 7 days. The traditional owners of Lizard Island are the Dingaal people of Hope Vale. This part of the project is about supporting the Elders with their connection to the young people of Hope Vale on traditional country. Four Dingaal youngsters visited the island with last year’s project for the first time in three generations. This year we extended our stay on Lizard providing the opportunity for more people to be directly involved.

The community gathering was also expanded on the mainland. The Elders agreed to do this at Cape Flattery about 15 nautical miles southwest of Lizard Island. This provided an excellent anchorage in the prevailing southeasterlies. Last year in excess of 80 people camped at Hammock Beach, a few miles to the northeast. All had a great time.

Pelican ferried people between Cape Flattery and Lizard Island, taking people for day sails, fishing as well as monitoring nearby Sea Country. The mainland camp was the site for storytelling, traditional food gathering, celebration and recreation. Queensland Parks and Wildlife was there to encourage Hope Vale youngsters to assist in tagging turtles.

Family and friends from Hope Vale are often separated by the necessity of people’s absence at distant schools or jobs, so the beach camp was an anticipated community event in traditional country for some of the participants. Read more about Hope Vale ...

PROJECTS IN PLANNING

CAIRNS DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES, YOUTH JUSTICE VOYAGE

This voyage has yet to be finalised but the plan is to take 10 young people on a 5-day voyage from Cairns to Cairns. All participants will come from the Youth Justice portfolio. They will be under 18 years of age and have committed a crime. Youngsters will be selected that can work together and get the greatest benefit from spending 5 days out amongst the coral reefs. They will learn how to sail and navigate, work as a team, snorkel and experience the amazing Great Barrier Reef environment.

If this first voyage goes well, we hope to make this an annual event.

SCHOOL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

We have had talks with a range of organisations, schools and individuals over the last few years about the possibility of running environmental education programs in Port Phillip and Westernport bays. There is a high level of interest from all parties and significant government funds available to facilitate these kinds of programs. Brendan Condon from Wetland Ecosystems Pty Ltd is involved in plans to use Pelican to this end. We intend in collaboration with him to run full day tours of the bays for students which will include activities such as environmental monitoring and testing, diving and talks and demonstrations by local experts. The aim of these tours will be to inspire, motivate and inform young people about a range of environmental issues as a practical support to their school based studies.

CORPORATE TRAINING PROGRAM

The real source of power and influence in the world today is located in the corporate sector. We need informed, corporate leaders pursuing ethical and sustainable business practices that will contribute not only to our economic, but also to our social and environmental wealth. We are planning a series of inspirational 1 to 5 day corporate programs for both women and men. In conjunction with corporate human services and training directors Pelican Expeditions will offer cutting-edge, team adventures that take people beyond their day-to-day comfort zones, and into experiences of wilderness, nature and the elements. They will be designed to cultivate natural values (honesty, integrity, community), environmental awareness, and long-term vision .There will be a strong focus on leadership, teamwork and sustainable business and living practices. The programs will utilise a number of marine environments including the Bass Strait Islands and the Kimberley. All inclusive prices will include gourmet catering and bedding during overnight adventures.