Elisha Kissick - Yura Tours
“It’s so important to empower our young people to be proud of their Country, and the unbelievable stories it holds.”
Elisha Kissick, founder of Yura Tours, North Stradbroke Island / Minjerribah, Queensland © Tourism Australia
There’s something about arriving at Quandamooka Country on North Stradbroke Island / Minjerribah in Queensland that slows your pulse. “You can feel the old ones [Quandamooka Elders past] when you walk down the beach,” says Elisha Kissick, founder of Yura Tours. “They’re everywhere. They’re in the trees and the bush. You can feel it. You can feel their spiritual energy.
Yura Tours, North Stradbroke Island / Minjerribah, Queensland © Tourism Australia
“This is a magical island,” says Elisha of Minjerribah, just off the coast of Brisbane. “My nan taught herself how to read and write, and when she did, boy did she annoy the crap out of government. She wrote letters and letters saying she was going to put this island on the map. And she did.”
Yura Tours, Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island, Queensland © Tourism Australia
Since then, Elisha has gone on to continue putting it on the map, hosting tours that take in the spectacular surrounds of her home. “We visit places like Brown Lake, a traditional women’s gathering spot that many people just drive past. The tea tree oil from the surrounding paperbark trees seeps into the water making it almost like a spa with healing properties. The bark from the trees has so many uses – my Elders would use it as sanitary pads, bandages, nappies.” It's continuing this knowledge that drives Elisha’s tours. “The stories I tell are directly from my grandparents – they were such great storytellers. For me to be able to do the same, I know our living culture is going to be here for my children and their children.”
Yura Tours, Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island, Queensland © Tourism Australia
“I’ve got three young girls and my middle child is really interested in what I do. She loves her culture and loves to speak in front of people. The thing is there’s not a lot of Aboriginal women tour guides around. I want to make it accessible and let the girls know that you can make a living from actually being on Country and doing what you love.”