Redlands Coast tourism destination video wins international award

Redland City Council’s latest tourism video has won an international gong and catapulted the region onto the world stage.

The Redlands Coast on Quandamooka Country video won the Best Cultural Tourism award in the Japan World’s Tourism Film Festival.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the accolade was a great endorsement for the naturally wonderful Redlands Coast during Queensland’s Year of Indigenous Tourism.

“The cinematic destination video is beautifully narrated by renowned artist Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, a proud Nunukul, Ngugi and Goenpul woman of Quandamooka Country, and illustrates her connection to the magical places across Redlands Coast.

“The video was developed as part of Council’s Reconnect on Redlands Coast campaign to help the tourism industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Importantly, we wanted to acknowledge Quandamooka culture and how integral it is to the identity of our city.

“The campaign was viewed more than 2.57 million times and tourism operators reported an increase in both out-of-region visitors and local residents holidaying in other parts of the city.

“Tourism is an integral part of the Redlands Coast economy. In the 2019/20 financial year, the region attracted more than 1.2 million visitors who contributed $228 million to the local economy.

“With tourism offerings as wonderful as we have, a committed tourism industry on Redlands Coast and support from Council delivering products like this award-winning tourism film, we look forward to continuing to grow the tourism dollar in our city.”

Straddie Chamber of Commerce president Col Battersby congratulated Council for the vision to develop a world-class video that was helping drive visitors to Redlands Coast, including Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island.

“The Straddie Chamber and Council worked closely on the Redlands Coast tourism campaign, of which this was a component, and that came out just after COVID-19 restrictions were eased last year,” Mr Battersby said.

“What a well-deserved gong. It is an incredible video that promotes one of the best places on Earth, and the oldest living culture in the world.”

Delvene Cockatoo-Collins said the award was very exciting news for the region.

“It’s a privilege to share the beautiful natural environment and the legacy our people have left here for us,” she said.

“The team behind the video was amazing – that includes everyone in Council’s tourism team, the Yulu Burri Ba Dancers and all the businesses. The team has beautifully captured what’s here.”

Matt Raimondo, who produced and directed the video, said it was fantastic to be recognised with the Best Cultural Tourism award.

“Redlands Coast is a beautiful place that speaks to people’s hearts and I’m honoured I was able to work with Delvene and give her the chance to share the story of her amazing connection to the land and to her culture,” Mr Raimondo said.

“She was just a beautiful person to work with and the video allows her personality to come through.

“Indigenous culture is something I’m quite passionate about and it’s awesome that the video has been well received overseas, particularly in Japan which is so close to Australia.”

Council worked on the Reconnect on Redlands Coast campaign with Straddie Chamber of Commerce; Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation; the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport; Tourism and Events Queensland; Brisbane Economic Development Agency and SeaLink.

The Redlands Coast on Quandamooka Country video can be viewed on Council’s website. It is also expected to screen in Brisbane cinemas this year.

REDLANDS COAST ON QUANDAMOOKA COUNTRY VIDEO DETAILS:

Developed by Redland City Council Narrated by Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, a Nunukul, Ngugi and Goenpul woman of Quandamooka Country Director/producer: Matt Raimondo

Featured in the video:

Quandamooka song man Josh Walker and the Yulu Burri Ba Dancers Quandamooka cultural tour guide Matt Burns Aunty Evelyn Parkin Local Yacht company – Aria Cruises Local tourism operator – Bay Island Water Sports Redland Coast residents Supported by the local Redlands Coast Coastguard Myora Springs, Brown Lake, Gorge Walk, Main Beach,  Adder Rock, Home Beach, Don and Christine Burnett Conservation Park, Moreton Bay Marine Park, Moreton Bay Cycleway Native wildlife – kangaroos, koalas, whales, eugaries

Featured locations:

Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island Teerk Roo Ra/Peel Island Cullen Cullen/Wellington Point Nandeebie/Cleveland Joonggabbin/Sheldon Jencoomercha/Macleay Island Goochie Mudlo/Coochiemudlo Island