THE FIRST of an expected 16 cruise vessels arrived at Albany on 4 November to mark the start of the cruise season with another seven vessels set to visit Esperance and Bunbury.
The 3000 passengers aboard the Crown Princess were welcomed to Albany by the Mooditch Nop Dance Group, led by traditional owner Lindsay Dean, as they made their way from the ship to awaiting buses to explore the region.
Southern Ports Regional Manager – Albany, Paul McSweeney said he was pleased to be able to welcome cruise ships the historic port which sits within a rich natural landscape.
Welcoming in the cruise season with an Aboriginal dance experience is one way Southern Ports is encouraging visitors to acknowledge the Traditional Owners in the areas it operates.
That recognition will soon be celebrated further through a Southern Ports and Tourism WA partnership that will commission an Aboriginal artwork to be placed as a welcome piece prominently at the port.
“There is a deep lasting connection between the Menang people and the Port of Albany’s land and waters,” Mr McSweeney said.
“We are calling for local Aboriginal artists to create a large-scale art piece that will welcome visitors and encourage them to learn and reflect on the history of the area during their time here.”
The cruise industry generated a record $385 million for the WA economy in 2023-24 and is expected to bring more than 200,000 passengers to the state in 2024-25.
The expression of interest period to create the cultural welcoming artwork is open until Wednesday, with the completed artwork expected to be installed by mid-2025.
