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Olympic sprinter Cathy Freeman is the new face of a campaign to get Australians to recognise the international appeal of their "unique" Aboriginal culture at a launch at the Victorian National Gallery of Art last week. (AAP Image/Joe Cas |
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The new face of Aboriginal tourism
Issue 29 - 16 Apr 2003
Melbourne
NATIONAL
Issue 29, April 16, 2003: Cathy Freeman will be the face of a campaign to raise awareness of Aboriginal culture both at home and around the world.
Aboriginal Tourism Australia (ATA) has named the Olympic gold medallist as its ambassador with her first duty being to launch the ATA's website.
It was hoped the website would aid recognition of Indigenous culture, tours and art both globally and in Australia.
Tourism Victoria chairman John Morse said employing Freeman was a step toward ATA linking disparate Indigenous tourist attractions.
Mr Morse said international visitors were interested in Aboriginal stories but Australians did not always recognise their singular place on the world stage.
“We all have good scenery, we all have good restaurants but Aboriginal culture is unique to Australia,” Mr Morse said.
ATA chairman Lois Peeler said Freeman was an icon who would help build the already growing international demand for Aboriginal tourism and art, particularly in Europe.
Freeman said she hoped her connection with ATA would help the Indigenous community take pride in its heritage and culture.
“It's an amazing opportunity for the future of our young Indigenous folk,” she said, “it's empowering.”
But the 30-year-old was coy on whether her new position was a pointer to what she would like to do after retiring from athletics.
“There are many things I'd like to do, but the overriding thing I'd like to do is be dangerous,” she said, cryptically.
“(But) I'd like to be associated with ATA even after I'm long gone.” - AAP
 
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