By Dongyun Kwon
By winning the same award three years in a row, Healesville Sanctuary has been inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Victorian Tourism Awards.
The Victorian Tourism Awards, hosted annually by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), honours business excellence and performance within the industry.
This year, it was held on Thursday 21 November, and the bushland haven claimed Gold in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experiences category once again.
Healesville Sanctuary director Ross Williamson said the award is a recognition of the great efforts of the many people at the Sanctuary working with Wurundjeri and other traditional custodians to bring culture to the visitors.
“It was wonderful to have Murrundindi there to accept the award as his friendship and guidance has been fundamental to this journey,” he said.
“Congratulations to Donna Paterson who put the submission together and the folk who have contributed so much to the story we can tell.”
Part of Zoos Victoria, Healesville Sanctuary is committed to fighting extinction and providing a future rich in wildlife.
Located one hour east of Melbourne on Wurundjeri Country, Healesville Sanctuary is surrounded by the mountains that make up the Great Dividing Range and is located in the heart of the beautiful Yarra Valley.
The Sanctuary has always been an iconic place for international tourists and locals to see native animals while connecting with Aboriginal Culture in an authentic way, cultivating a greater understanding of history and traditions.
This honour comes in a landmark year as Healesville Sanctuary celebrates 90 years of welcoming people to Melbourne’s outer north-east; it also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the closure of Coranderrk Aboriginal Station which is linked to the wildlife park.
Healesville Sanctuary visitors can learn more about Traditional Owners through educational programs, listening to Wurundjeri Elder Murrundindi play the didgeridoo or reading about Dreamtime creation stories of the Australian animals on signage around the sanctuary.
Wurundjeri Walk on the Main Track provides a self-guided discovery journey, featuring a centuries old Manna Gum carved to create a canoe, and soundscapes from elders sharing stories of their ancestors.
The path is bordered by native plants that were used by First Peoples for food and medicinal purposes.
VTIC chief executive Felicia Mariani said the Tourism Awards showcase some of the most innovative experiences in Victorian tourism.
“Last night, close to 1000 tourism and events operators gathered at the 2024 Victorian Tourism Awards to celebrate the industry’s greatest achievements,” Ms Mariani said.
“We extend our sincere congratulations to all our winners and finalists who set the benchmark for excellence right across our industry. The Awards program truly illustrates the essential role the visitor economy plays in creating vibrancy and energy across the state, as well as contributing significantly to the economic and social fabric of Victoria.
“With record-breaking achievements, superior tourism experiences, and the launch of an exciting new category that will next year celebrate the unique Hallmark Major Event calendar the state enjoys, the event this year has affirmed Victoria’s reputation as a premier global destination for tourism and events.”
Winners and Finalists of the Victorian Tourism Awards are determined by achieving a score of 70 per cent or above.
The winner is the highest scoring entrant in each category.
The Hall of Fame is awarded to an entrant that has won the same category over three consecutive years, and the Highly Commended recognition is given to finalists that have not won an award but scored over 80 per cent.
Healesville Sanctuary will now progress to the Australian Tourism Awards held in Adelaide in March 2025.
