NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)

The NPWS Aboriginal Discovery Programs based in Tumut won the Indigenous Tourism Award at the prestigious Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Awards on Friday.

NPWS Tumut Visitor Centre Manager Mark Lees says winning the award is a major achievement for the team, Parks, the local Aboriginal community and for Snowy Mountains tourism in general.

"I am proud of our team and the work we are undertaking to educate the community and increase awareness of and appreciation for our local Aboriginal culture.

"As the winner of a Canberra Tourism Award, we are now a finalist in the Australian Tourism Awards which will be held in Cairns in March, 2012.

"A major focus for Aboriginal Discovery Programs is to educate visitors and the community, but also to work with the Aboriginal community to help them preserve their culture for future generations.

"We have delivered more than 420 face-to-face hours of work experience to members of our local Aboriginal community including high school students, TAFE students and youth at risk, and we have delivered traditional practices training to a further 26 participants.

"Beyond offering an excellent tourism product, our aim is to build Aboriginal cultural knowledge, assist Aboriginal people to reconnect with country, and help people explore career paths in Aboriginal heritage tourism.

"Over the last year our NPWS Aboriginal Discovery Programs were delivered to more than 8,200 people, up 29% on the previous year, and we have won this award due to our achievements, our written submission and the experiences of an anonymous ‘mystery shopper' who judged our services.

"NPWS Aboriginal Discovery Programs help to strengthen the region's overall tourism industry by attracting local, domestic and international visitors and delivering an excellent product.

"Our thanks goes out to the Wiradjuri community for their support, the Snowy Mountains tourism industry and the many quality businesses we work with.

"This award recognises the high quality Indigenous tourism experience we offer and promotes Tumut and Snowy Mountains on a national level," Mr Lees said.