Corporate Structure
History made at Brolgas
Ministerial media release - November 17, 2007
For the first time in the history of the Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards, two people have been awarded the Minister’s Perpetual Trophy for their outstanding contribution to the tourism industry.
Tourism Minister Paul Henderson named Darwin’s Sylvia Wolf and Paul Ah Chee from Alice Springs as joint winners of the award as more than 300 people turned out for the 21st Brolga Awards.
“Each year, the Perpetual Trophy is awarded to a Territorian who has shown outstanding commitment to growing and promoting the Territory’s tourism industry, but this year we simply couldn’t split the difference.
“Both Sylvia and Paul are true Territory tourism ambassadors and worthy recipients of the trophy.”
Ms Wolf moved to Katherine in 1970 and has been working in tourism ever since. She was a founding member of the Katherine Regional Tourist Association and its President for 7 years, and is currently the President of Tourism Top End.
Mr Ah Chee is an industry leader in Indigenous Tourism. He is the General Manager of the Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Centre, manages Desert Discovery Tours and is a member of the Indigenous Tourism Leadership group.
“The Brolga Awards are the Territory tourism industry’s night of nights, a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the success of our operators,” Mr Henderson said.
“In 2006/07 the Territory recorded its largest ever number of interstate holiday visitors – 377, 000, up 11 per cent on the year before – and our industry is looking forward to the next five years,” he said.
“Supporting this focus on the future, this year the Government introduced the new Young Achiever Award to acknowledge up-and-comers in the tourism industry.
“Congratulations to Matthew Turner from the Alice Springs Desert Park on receiving this award.”
Tonight’s business categories winners receive a $2500 prize package, including support to attend a trade show or tourism conference, increased cooperative advertising support and the waiving of accreditation fees.
Winners will go on to compete at the Australian Tourism Awards in Canberra in February.
Contact: Rebecca Cass 0401 110 389
Winners of the 2007 Brolga Northern Territory Tourism Awards
CATEGORY - WINNER
Major Tourist Attractions - Alice Springs Desert Park
Tourist Attractions - Royal Flying Doctor Service
Major Festivals and Events - Northern Territory Major Events; Arafura Games 2007
Festivals and Events - Finke Desert Race Inc.; 2007 Tattersall’s Finke Desert Race
Heritage and Cultural Tourism - Venture North Australia
Indigenous Tourism - Tiwi Tours, AAT Kings
Visitor & Information Services - Central Australian Tourism Industry Association
Meeting and Business Tourism - Alice Springs Convention Centre
Major Tour & Transport Operators - Orion Expedition Cruises
Tour & Transport Operators - Discovery Ecotours Australia
Adventure Tourism - Cannon Charters
Tourism Marketing - The Ghan Green Season Campaign, Great Southern Railway Travel
Tourism Education and Training - Savannah Guides Ltd
Tourist and Caravan Parks - MacDonnell Range Holiday Park
Backpacker Accommodation - Melaleuca on Mitchell
Deluxe Accommodation - Quest Serviced Apartments Darwin
New Tourism Development - Bamurru Plains
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual - Melanie Reichlmeier
Outstanding Interpretive Guide - Ben Humphries
Young Achiever Award - Matthew Turner
Chairman’s Choice Award - Royal Flying Doctor Service
Tourism NT Business Growth Award - Airborne Solutions
Tourism Minister’s Perpetual Trophy - Sylvia Wolf and Paul Ah Chee
