Blazing a cultural tourism trail
Home loans buoy lender’s earnings
THREE mainstays of Cairns’ cultural tourism sector have been rewarded with promotions into senior management.
Djabugay traditional owners Corinne Brimm, Ernest Brimm and Phillip Napolean Oui will take on the roles of Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park deputy manager, cultural co-ordinator and product sales executive and cultural performances senior manager, respectively.
The appointments were made by general manager Shirley Hollingsworth, who became the first Djabugay woman to run the business in May.
“These appointments recognise the expertise and dedication of people who have worked in multiple areas throughout the company to gain a sound understanding of the delicate balance between business and culture,” she said.
“Ms Brimm started at Tjapukai in 1996 as a stage technician, eventually becoming responsible for managing Tjapukai’s groups series and then taking on the role of operations manager, while Mr Brimm gained diverse experience with Tjapukai during his 21 years before becoming a duty manager.
“Mr Oui joined Tjapukai 22 years ago as a barman, moved into retail and marketing and then becoming a performer who has travelled the world promoting indigenous tourism.
“As a leadership team we bring together more than 80 years’ experience of working in all facets of the Tjapukai business.”
Ms Brimm said she was proud to “play a role in sharing Djabugay culture with a wider audience and creating meaningful employment for Djabugay descendants.”
Currently 72 per cent of the business’ 68 staff are indigenous people and half of those identify as Djabugay, Ms Hollingsworth said.
“We are fortunate to have a business that has helped preserve our connection to country, identity, language and culture in an evolving world.
“As a management team we will work closely with our elders and Buda: Dji, with whom we hold a cultural content agreement, to respect these traditions while taking our business forward.”
Two other long-serving Tjapukai employees have also been given new roles.
Nicole Clark has been appointed facilities manager and Steven Von Roehl is now floor manager. BENDIGO and Adelaide Bank has increased its full year cash earnings by 6.4 per cent to $445.1 million, buoyed by improved loan profitability, amid intense industry competition.
The regional-focused lender, Australia’s fifth-biggest bank, lifted statutory net profit 1.1 per cent to $434.5 million for the 12 months ending June 30.
Operating income was up 2.1 per cent to $1.64 billion.
Managing director Marnie Baker says the bank has delivered a strong performance in a competitive environment, particularly lending to home owners.
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s local division – which consists of its consumer and business banking operations – booked a 6.4 per cent rise in annual cash earnings to $213.5 million, driven by net interest income of $57.5 million.
Annual cash earnings at its partner division – which covers its insurance and portfolio funding operations – jumped 21.8 per cent to $163 million, while its Agribusiness posted a 1.3 per cent fall to $68.8 million.
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s financial performance is dwarfed by the nation’s biggest bank, Commonwealth Bank, which last week posted annual cash profit of $9.23 billion.