The power of small upstander actions

What would you do if you could interrupt bias and directly influence the economic impact for a small, local community? Sometimes change can be made by a thousand small acts as I recently experienced.

On the way back from a snorkelling trip out to the Great Barrier Reef last month, I asked one of the crew members on the boat for recommendations we could do locally while in the area. He named a few options, but didn’t mention Mossman Gorge. I enquired why and he said it wasn’t as good as it used to be since it had been run under new management.

Only $14.50 to empower a community

I last visited Mossman Gorge in 2012, before the local Aboriginal community took over the management of the Gorge through the body of the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre (MGCC). I was disappointed by his answer but thought I’d go and check it out for myself. And I’m so glad I did, it was fantastic!

This was my third visit to the Gorge and the first under the management of the MGCC. Previously it was free to enter, now $14.50 sees you bussed in air-conditioned convenience to the start of the walks and to the swimming hole with a maximum 10-minute wait – and multiple trips per day allowed. ?What a pleasure not to have to drive down the narrow road and find parking in the limited allocation.

The Visitor Centre’s gift shop is well stocked with a beautifully curated selection of Aboriginal designed items that are well priced for what you get. In the the café, I enjoyed the best iced coffee I've ever ordered and my friend loved her mango smoothie infused with local honey. It was a magical day walking through the tropical rainforest, then cooling off in the fresh, clean water of the Gorge.

And the best thing: that all the money we spent went straight to the local community and that our enjoyment provided local job opportunities. Next time I’m coming back to do a guided Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk. Mossman Gorge is the traditional lands of the Kuku Yalanji people who have a history dating back 50,000 years and whose “history is steeped in the roots of the trees, the walls of the caves and the backdrop of the surrounding mountain”.

If not me, then who?

One thing troubled me though. The fact that a local tour operator was not recommending this amazing experience to other visitors. It perplexed and troubled me. Perhaps they’d had a bad experience, as my friend said it had improved a lot since her last visit in 2015.

So, I did something about it. I wrote to the reef charter company, saying: “Just wanted to let you know that we visited Mossman Gorge and would ask you to reconsider not recommending that visitors go there. It was absolutely fantastic. The reason I'm writing is that I'm extremely passionate about Aboriginal social and economic empowerment and that it should be encouraged and supported wherever possible. You have a lot of influence in your local community and for the visitors coming out on your boat, hence I'm sending this email”.

I also sent them a link to the five-star review I’d left for the Mossman Gorge on Trip Advisor.

And I was absolutely delighted to get this reply back from the owner:

“I really appreciate your feedback about Mossman Gorge. You’ve made some excellent points, and I’m happy to say that we’ll definitely be taking them on board moving forward.

We’ll make sure to highlight the positive aspects of the Cultural Centre and the significant contribution it makes to the local Aboriginal community. I know the guides that run the private tours at Mossman Gorge, so I’ll organise a staff day to ensure they are up to speed about this amazing location”.

Absolute kudos and respect to them!

4 steps to being an upstander for inclusion

This experience reminded me that we can either ‘walk past the standard we accept’, or be an upstander who takes responsibility and steps in when they witness exclusion, unfairness, bias or discrimination. In particular, by:

1. Recognising the power of small actions

This exchange demonstrates how a single action – sharing my experience and advocating for the MGCC – had a ripple effect. The snorkel tour company, who interacts daily with countless visitors, was willing to reconsider their recommendations. This small conversation is now contributing to increased support for an initiative that empowers the local Aboriginal community.

2. Leveraging your influence

Whether you’re a tour guide, a people leader or a team member, you have influence over the culture around you. Using that influence to amplify positive change and challenge exclusion is the ‘how’ for inclusion. The snorkel company owner’s willingness to listen and adapt shows how important it is to engage in these conversations and recognise the value of other perspectives.

3. Not waiting for someone else to speak up

Often we may hesitate to share our thoughts or concerns because we assume someone else will do it. But upstanders act. They don’t wait for someone else to raise the issue or make a change. It’s up to each of us to recognise when we can make a difference and take action to do so.

4. Championing inclusion through advocacy

Standing up for inclusion means being an advocate, not just for yourself but for those whose voices may not always be heard. Whether it’s about social and economic empowerment or simply offering a different perspective, being an upstander means recognising when there’s a need for change and taking the initiative to advocate for it.

#inclusion #aboriginalempowerment #firstnations

This blog was written based on travel on the lands of the Kuku Yalanji people who are the traditional custodians of the land and waters. I pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging. Their traditional country extends from south of Mossman to Cooktown in the north, and Palmer River in the west.