Muru Mittigar in the running for 2007
QANTAS Australian Tourism Award

Muru Mittigar Aboriginal and Cultural Centre is, for the second year in a row, in the running for a prize at the QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards in Canberra on February 29.

Winning the NSW Indigenous Tourism Award at Star City last November automatically entered Muru into the Top Aboriginal Award at the QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards night later this month.

“2007 was an exciting and challenging year,” said Jill Ritherdon, the General Manager of Muru Mittigar. “Winning the NSW Award was a huge pat on the back for our hardworking team. Taking out the national award again would be fantastic, but either way, I’m proud of the success and integrity our 35 Aboriginal staff bring to both our business and their own families and communities.

“This Award is really a testimony to the understandable pride that they take in their culture and their professionalism in the workplace.”

Muru Mittigar is both a community and an award-winning business, their recent streak includes the NSW Tourism Awards of 2006 & 2007, the Qantas Australian Tourism Award of 2008, and the Rod Murdoch Memorial award in 2006 (in recognition of outstanding contributions to tourism within Penrith and NSW).

‘Muru Mittigar’ means ‘pathway to friends’ in the local Darug language. The award-winning Centre was established by the Darug people of Western Sydney in December 1998. Its cultural centre, provenance plant nursery, art gallery and retail shop offer visitors the opportunity to participate and interact with members of the Aboriginal community.  Visitors learn about local tribal areas, the diversity of Aboriginal culture and the local Darug tribe. The cultural centre offers the opportunity to view Aboriginal art and many traditional artefacts, including observing in-house artists painting, making didgeridoos and weapons.

The entertaining and informative rituals of Aboriginal tribal dance are performed by the Muru Sand Goanna Dance Troupe both at the Cultural Centre and at community and corporate venues.  Didgeridoo and boomerang throwing workshops teach techniques and explain the important roles these activities have in Aboriginal culture.

The last year has seen Muru Mittigar grow from 23 employees in November 2006 to 51 today, of whom almost 70 per cent are Aboriginal.

1 February 2008

For further information please contact:                     

Samantha Davies, Commercial Manager or

Angela Hobbs, Human Resources:  Ph. (02) 4730 2774