Yolŋu man charts new course for his homelands

A Yolŋu man is excited to lure in adventure tourists thanks to his passion to start an eco-tourism venture, with the support of Charles Darwin University TAFE training. 
 

Nathan Djerrkura is a Yolngu man who grew up at Buymarr Homeland, a small beach community near Nhulunbuy in Northeast Arnhem Land where he is creating new economic opportunities for his family and community. 
 

With support from CDU TAFE, Mr Djerrkura completed a MAR20324 Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal).  
 

The accreditation, alongside funding support from National Indigenous Australian’s Agency (NIAA) to purchase a fishing vessel, will see the family business, Buymarr Getaways, launch the first Yolŋu owned and operated fishing charter in the region.  
 

Mr Djerrkura said the process of launching a remote tourism business has seen its challenges but is well worth the effort.  

“I can see my family’s vision coming together,” he said.  
 

“When my father, Gatjil Djerrkura OAM established Buymarr in 1985, he had a dream to develop opportunities to allow family members to live and work on their country.  
 

“By building our capability through training and development, and ventures such as Buymarr Getaways, I’m excited to share Yolŋu culture with visitors to East Arnhem Land while supporting my family’s aspirations to create opportunities to live and work on Country full time.”  
 

With the new vessel and certification, Mr Djerrkura and his family will launch Buymarr Getaways Fishing Charters this year, operating tours at Buymarr homeland. 
 

He said having the opportunity to study locally through CDU is exactly what the region needs.  
 

“The CDU staff here know the community and ensure they are offering courses that are in demand and meet the needs of our community,” he said.  
 

“We live regionally and remote, studying here helps cut travel costs and supports skills development and training needs of the region. 
 

“I am looking forward to supporting other people in our community and my family by ensuring they also get the training they need to help run their business’ and support our communities by upskilling their knowledge and experience.”  
 

CDU Associate Vice-Chancellor East Arnhem Region Alice Doyle said this highlights the importance of CDU being embedded in the region.  
 

“CDU can support existing business and new business like Buymarr Getaways to become established by offering the necessary training,” Mrs Doyle said.  
 

 “CDU is passionate about providing meaningful education, training and research in response to the region requests.” 

A second cohort of Maritime students begin training in Nhulunbuy this month.