Meet the Buda Dji Aboriginal Development Association Aboriginal Corporation
Buda Dji Aboriginal Development Association Aboriginal Corporation represents the Djabugay speaking people. From time immemorial, the Djabugay speaking people lived in the rainforests behind Cairns in Tropical Far North Queensland. The Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park in Cairns is held on land owned by the Djabugay people, with the remaining 50% of land and the business owned by Indigenous Business Australia. The Corporation is focused on acquiring the Cultural Park, so it is rightfully owned by the Djabugay people.
Community Aspirations
Grow the young Ranger program with the addition of a women’s ranger crew. Explore opportunities to develop small businesses and fee for service work related to parks, gardens and machinery, tourism, hospitality and the food sectors.
Economic Development Journey
Michelle, Manager at Buda Dji, described how Many Rivers has helped Buda Dji with developing policy procedures, job descriptions, admin work including accounting, and providing workshops. The support of Many Rivers has helped Buda Dji to “get to the right conclusions”, provide structure and coordination for projects.
Key business development stages that Buda Dji Aboriginal Development Association went through include:
- 1995: Buda Dji is incorporated.
- 2004: Received Native Titledetermination.
- 2018: Released Bulmba Bama Plan, which aims to guide the development of a joint management model of the Barron Gorge National Park.
- 2020: Joined the CED program with assistance required in supporting economic activity and employment during a downturn in the local tourist sector.
- 2021: Many Rivers assists with developing a business plan for coffee roasting and Café business.
- 2022: Many Rivers provided governance support in developing an updated Corporation Policies and Procedure Manual.
- 2023: Explores potential partnership opportunities with key stakeholders in the region.
- 2024: Many Rivers assists with grant application to expand the operations of the Djabugay Rangers.
- 2024: Development of an app containing an audio tour of the Barron Gorge National Park for tourists on the Skyrail Gondolas.
Outcomes
“With Many Rivers we’ve had support around policy and procedures around our workplace, health and safety around our accounting systems as well and how we’re utilizing those, what they’ve also helped us with PDS, job descriptions, all of those sorts of things.”
“We also own a large hospitality on function centre so you know we can provide the kids with the opportunity to learn different things in their roles here with us and so they leave having a bit broader knowledge of maybe what they do want to do or maybe don’t want to do”
The future for Buda Dji
Buda Dji aims to expand the Djabugay Rangers with a focus on creating educational and employment opportunities for young people. Buda Dji is focused on creating new and different pathways for employment, including providing fee-for-service commercial opportunities such as the Walking Track between Cairns and Port Douglas.
“Chris (CEDM) is always putting the cultural aspect to the forefront, which is super important. Shining a light on the ranger program, while keeping our culture strong. – Dennis Hunter (Ranger), Buda Dji
For additional information:
Website: https://djabugay.org.au/our-corporations.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DjabugayAboriginalCorporations/
