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Our 2019 Whitsundays Sailing Season Launch

19/2/2019

At the launch of our 2019 Sailing Season, the team at Portland Roads - Sailing the Whitsundays were humbled by the attendance, involvement and blessings from Local Members and Descendants of our Local Indigenous Community and Descendants of Australia's First Fleet.

We celebrated our launch with a harmonious link to our stories of the past.

Ngaro, Juru and Gia descendants hand in hand with First Fleet descendants of 1788.

What a way to celebrate the opening of our 2019 Sailing Season.

Auntie Sue, a traditional owner, Juru elder & descendant of Gia & Ngaro peoples honoured us with ‘Welcome to Country’. At the end of the Welcome Auntie Sue called for a minutes silence to quietly reflect on those that have come before us in a history scattered with both good and bad stories.

It was such a powerful moment to reflect on our past and shared stories......

Auntie Sue finished by granting us permission to sail in the waters of the Ngaro peoples, and we accepted this right of passage with respect and gratitude.

Adrena Pryor, also a Juru traditional owner & descendant of both Gia and Ngaro presented each of our passionate boat owners with a plaque. Hugs, smiles and tears were shared and the plaques now take pride of place on our vessels.

We were also honoured to host Felicity Chapman at our local gathering. Felicity is first and foremost a Wiradjuri Woman, who has called this Ngaro region home for the past 19 years. Felicity is a key contact for us at the Proserpine Indigenous Reference Group.

And to add even more intrigue to our celebrations, Felicity is also a direct descendant of the First Fleet.
In all we had 5 direct descendants of the First Fleet with us to help celebrate another year sailing Ngaro Waters and Sailing the Whitsundays with the team at Portland Roads.

Due to flood waters cutting roads to the region, we missed the opportunity to celebrate with Auntie Agnes Boyd-Smith a Gia & Ngaro Elder & Traditional Owner along with Fiona Thorogood a Torres Strait Islander from Badu Island - We thank them both for their desire to attend and help us celebrate.

We now invite all of our guests to Sail the Whitsundays - Sail the traditional waters of Ngaro - The home of Australia's first true seafarers.

#LoveWhitsundays
#ThisIsQueensland
#SeeAustralia

30 Comments

Nisa

19/2/2019 07:18:23 pm

What a lovely way to show what reconciliation can (and should!) look like. Something everyone should aspire towards, holding mutual conversations and showing utmost respect for one another on this shared place of belonging. As one of my favorite quotes goes: "The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens". Looking forward to seeing more and hopefully visiting soon!

Portland Roads - Sailing the Whitsundays link

23/2/2019 06:53:46 pm

Nisa, thank you for your kind words and wonderful support.
Coming all the way from Canada no less.
"Our Earth is One Country" - We LOVE this all encompassing line.

Leonie

15/3/2019 08:18:12 pm

Beautiful Nisa... respect, you articulated the importance & shared place of belonging ... lovely ❤️

15/3/2019 11:44:28 pm

Hear Hear Leonie!

Jules

20/2/2019 01:39:58 am

Everything Nisa says & more !- was just so wonderful to read this tutorial & feel enlightened of the mutual respect we have for each other and the land & waters which we share with the blessing of the Wiradjuri people.

23/2/2019 06:58:28 pm

Jules, thank you for lending your voice to this conversation.
Walking in past footsteps and sailing in ancient wakes is our honour.
We respect our invitation to do so.

Raffaele Battista

26/2/2019 07:11:47 pm

I was honored to have met with the 'Ngaro' and share in their history. Portland Roads vision and commitment to the Ngaro and the Whitsundays was very heart warming. The lovely ladies of Ngaro reminded me of my Nonna's from Italy. Looking forward to returning & sailing their waters.

26/2/2019 09:01:29 pm

Raffaele; What a fabulous insight
Thank you for sharing your experience.
And it is such a nice touch to add an Italian flavour into this truly global conversation.
Nonna's, Grandmas, Nai Nai's, Abuela's, Lola's, Mémé....
It does not matter the nationality, nor the language; We should all share in our worldly woman's ability to be passionate whilst compassionate, their ability to believe and their ability to look beyond today.

Kate

1/3/2019 06:42:23 pm

I love this! I've always enjoyed hiking the tracks around the Whitsunday Islands and learning about the Ngaro people. I love that this charter is thinking about promotion and collaboration of this culture. Beautiful :)

1/3/2019 06:57:06 pm

Happy hiking Kate !
Following the Ngaro trail is one of the highlights of this area.
We add the sea trails to any local visit; and we will continue to work with local elders to keep the past, present and future alive for eternity.
Bungunna kari

Penny

1/3/2019 07:24:39 pm

This blog made me smile and cry. I have sailed those beautiful waters many times, but never with this charter company. I feel ashamed that I was not even aware of this connection to history, or made aware of this history. Kudos to this company (I promise to sail with you next time). I will return and pay my respects next time I am on the water and in the islands.

1/3/2019 07:31:09 pm

Penny - Thank you for your comments on our Blog.
We actually started our business not knowing how to connect.
The journey to find and make this connection was such an overwhelming time for everyone in our little local team.
To now have the support of elders and groups such as the Proserpine Indigenous Reference Group is both Heartwarming and the Right thing to do
Thank you for caring enough to notice.

Michael

4/3/2019 03:08:31 pm

When I sailed the Whitsundays on Ruby Sunday I saw 1 eagle nesting, 2 turtles mating, 3 whales jumping, 4 batfish feeding and an osprey in a tall pine tree!....Seriously the wildlife here is amazing. What an incredible holiday for an animal lover like me. I will be back.

4/3/2019 03:26:24 pm

Very festive Mike, we like your style and thank you for your contribution to the conversation.
The Ngaro have known for thousands of years what David Attenborough discovered back in the 1950's and again in his most recent visit.
As Kirsty Nutkins sums up -
"If Sir David Attenborough declares somewhere to be the most magical place on Earth, you can’t help but sit up and take notice. The naturalist has spent more than 60 years uncovering the world’s greatest natural wonders, but it’s Australia’s Great Barrier Reef that has him firmly under its spell"

Raff

7/3/2019 01:37:47 pm

Was swimming in Port Philip Bay Melbourne, was like a large swimming pool and only little fishes. No comparison to the Whity’s, already thinking of my next sailing adventure ‘74 Ilsands’

7/3/2019 02:36:45 pm

Port Phillip is still a pretty special place with its own unique Ecosystem, a long indigenous history and connection to the water and the land.
From a quick look up, prior to white settlement the local area was populated by up to 6 clans of the Boon Wurrung (coastal tribe) that called this place home.
Raff, thanks for joining the conversation and if you are in the Whitsundays, please pop in and say hello to our team at Portland Roads - Sailing the Whitsundays.
If you'd like to charter and self skipper one of our boats while you are here, please book early as our boats are in crazy / high demand.
Thanks again for responding to our Blog

Rube

4/3/2019 03:16:47 pm

it's lovely to know that this company has recognised the traditional land owners, the Ngaro people.
Whitsunday Islands is a great place to go sailing.
No doubt that our time on these pristine waters was memorable and comfortable.
I can't wait to be in the waters again with Portland Roads.

4/3/2019 03:30:46 pm

Rube, it will be great having you back sailing with us again.
Thank you for making note of; And a connection with, our message.
We are forever grateful to our local elders for meeting us hand in hand.

Mark McPherson

4/3/2019 07:35:56 pm

I was privileged to be at the Ceremony where Aunty Sue, a traditional owner, granted us permission to sail through the pristine waters of the Ngaro Peoples. It was such a moving experience. And then to be presented with a plaque from Adrena, was just, overwhelming.
And so we should acknowledge and respect the traditional owners of these great Islands we call the Whitsundays.
I am so proud to be part of such caring team of passionate boat owners, who know how to not only treat the traditional owner with care and respect, but to treat everyone with the respect they deserve.

4/3/2019 11:13:12 pm

Thanks Mark - Having you and Leonie at this years launch of our Sailing Season made our celebrations complete.
The friendships, the camaraderie and the commitment to what we do speaks volumes about all of those who are involved in this wonderful local Whitsundays business.
Your boat SOUTHERN MAN has already created thousands of wonderful memories, now he can continue to sail in the wake of the Ngaro and start even further conversations amongst our loyal guests.
To all who sail aboard SOUTHERN MAN
Welcome to Ngaro country
Bungunna kari

Elena

6/3/2019 07:54:53 pm

What an amazing way to recognise and pay respect to the traditional owners of the land. The addition of the plaque to each of the boats is a great touch, I hope that each and every charterer who boards the boats will take the time to read it and acknowledge the first owners as you have.

6/3/2019 08:06:00 pm

There is already a great vibe from our guests when our team of dedicated briefers Welcome everyone to Ngaro Country, the islands of the Whitsundays.
As for the plaques, they and read and photographed by many.
Thanks for your feedback Elena, we know that we'll see you on the water again soon.

Stephen

12/3/2019 02:18:20 am

I was lucky enough to experience the beautiful Whitsundays on Portland Roads and even had the pleasure of meeting some of the traditional owners while I was there. It was amazing to see the respect and appreciation shown between everyone for this beautiful part of the world.
Cannot wait for the next time!

12/3/2019 02:57:50 pm

What a special time for you and Steph to take up a charter holiday with us in the Whitsundays.
Meeting the elders and making that conection was an opportunity not to be missed.
We truly appreciate your custom, your kind words and your interest in our Blog thread.
It's hard not to be charmed by their involvement. And such exciting news to hear of your desire Stephen to come back.
Cheers from all of our team at Portland Roads - Sailing the Whitsundays ⚓

15/3/2019 06:43:50 pm

Often heard stories about Ngaro traditional owners of the pristine water of the Whitsundays. The importance of acknowledging the past, present with a mind for the future. It was quoted “ sailing in their ancient wakes” & being a regular Charterer I now feel it’s complete with permission & ceremony from the traditional owners.
Well Done to Portland Roads Team & all the boats who sail in the fleet, I feel quiet emotional to have seen your Season Launch when planning our next trip. Something truely extraordinary to have respected traditional owners & the connection to first fleet was incredible.
Feel the blessing of such in my heart & know Portland Roads Fleet is my only Port of call when planning a sailing trip in Whitsundays...

15/3/2019 11:41:04 pm

Leonie; having you witness such an occasion was a real treat prior to your time on the water. And whilst we take your kind words with pride, it's indeed Auntie Sue, Adrena and Felicty who deserve all of the praise and thanks for the heartwarming ceremony.
Knowing that this connection is now a living, breathing and continuous part of our business on Ngaro waters is something we can celebrate.
To also know that you'll continue to sail with the team at Portland Roads - Sailing the Whitsundays whenever you choose to sail is also an honour that we do not take lightly.
Bungunna kari

whitsundays tours link

9/8/2019 02:26:53 am

thanks for the information and advice

PORTLAND ROADS link

9/8/2019 02:52:53 pm

Our pleasure and thanks for picking up on our blogs thread

tongarra whitsundays link

18/2/2020 06:23:09 am

decent information

Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays

18/2/2020 10:44:35 pm

And we pass the big red cat Tongarra almost everyday on the water: It is a pleasure sharing the Ngaro Waters of the Whitsundays with you..

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Our 2019 Whitsundays Sailing Season Launch

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0427 814 553 / 1300 991 474 / From anywhere else on planet earth
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Our 2019 Whitsundays Sailing Season Launch

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0427 814 553 / 1300 991 474 / From anywhere else on planet earth​CALL +61 427 814 553 / ​Email us at: sailing@portlandroadswhitsundays.com.au

0427 814 553 / 1300 991 474 / From anywhere else on planet earth
CALL +61 427 814 553 / Email us at: sailing@portlandroadswhitsundays.com.au