Text and photos : Alice Crabtree & Lois Peeler
The Respecting Our Culture (ROC) Program has been developed by Aboriginal Tourism Australia (ATA) to assist the Indigenous tourism sector to develop sustainable business operations addressing cultural protocols, environmental concerns and business management.
The program is thus incredibly useful in allowing you to select “superior” indigenous tourism experiences that guarantee that the tour product is sustainable with relevant cultural protocols addressed, good environmental practices employed and appropriate business practices followed.
ROC certified businesses are easily identified as they display the following logo :
The ROC’s formal certification process includes procedures that ensures the traditional owners and custodians are both consulted and are acknowledged, thus providing Indigenous communities with a tool to protect the exploitation and misrepresentation of their culture. Environmental standards are also employed to make sure that cultural sites and heritage are protected through appropriate land management strategies, and accessible information provided to encourage the development of sustainable tourism practices in heritage areas and national parks, business development opportunities for indigenous communities and individuals and maintenance of cultural authenticity and integrity.
ROC Accredited Businesses
To date there are 12 businesses actually certified with the ROC Program, and another 18 in the process of becoming certified. The details of certified product are listed below, but don’t forget to look at the ROC website to find out the very latest news : www.rocprogram.com or through the Aboriginal Tourism Australia website : www.aboringinaltourism.com.au . The product certified range from fully personalised
extended immersion tours to daytrips to state-of-the-art cultural centres. All products have in common a highly professional structure with a shared commitment to indigenous culture and rights.
Odyssey Tours & Safaris - (Northern Territory)
Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris - (Northern Territory)
Jahadi Indigenous Experiences - (Tasmania)
Tiagarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Museum - (Tasmania)
Melbourne’s Best Tours - (Victoria)
BATTOURS - Backpacker Adventure Tours - (Victoria)
Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Brambuk Backpackers - (Victoria)
Koorie Heritage Trust - (Victoria)
Burrinja Gallery - (Victoria)
Lombadina Aboriginal Corporation - (Western Australia)
Yanchep National Park - (Western Australia)
Location and access
ROC certified product occurs in locations around Australia – from main cities such as Melbourne to remote locations that present more of a challenge getting to. It is suggested you look at each operation’s website for more details on location and access.
Contact
ROC programme administrator : North Rialto Towers
525 Collins Street, Melbourne, Vic, Australia, 3000
Tél. : 03 9620 4533
Fax : : 03 9620 45 44
Courriel : admin@rocprogram.com
Internet : www.rocprogram.com ou www.aboriginaltourism.com.au
Cultural & background information about the community
Aboriginal Tourism Australia (with funding from the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage and published by Lonely Planet Solutions for ATA) have a very pertinent and relevant code of conduct for visitors to indigenous lands and sites in Australia – called “Welcome to Country”. This emphasises the 3”R’s” :
Relationship – Recognise Indigenous people’s relationship and connection to the land
Responsibility – Acknowledge the ongoing responsibility Indigenous people have to their country, and recognise your own responsibility to travel thoughtfully
Respect – Respect Aboriginal beliefs associated with country and culture. As a visitor, respect the wishes of your hosts and any restrictions that you have been asked to observe.