Cruise welcome statement to make a splash

Southern Ports and Tourism WA are calling for local Aboriginal artists to create a large-scale artwork at the Port of Albany to welcome thousands of cruise passengers each year. 

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said the Aboriginal Cultural Welcome artwork will be placed prominently at the Port of Albany as an important way of recognising the Traditional Owners of land and waters. 

“The Menang people have a deep and lasting connection to the land and waters surrounding our Port of Albany. Southern Ports is proud to acknowledge this through our partnership with Tourism WA,” said Mr Wilks.

“Southern Ports welcomes thousands of cruise visitors each year through our Port of Albany to the Great Southern region. Our hope for this artwork is that it provides a welcome that acknowledges the cultural significance of this region and encourages visitors to learn and reflect on the history of the area.”

More than 35,000 visitors are expected to visit the Great Southern this season, with the first cruise ship expected to dock on Monday 4 November.

Tourism WA Acting Managing Director Steph Underwood said that cruise tourism is a growing sector, injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into our state through visitor spend, and Albany is well established as a popular port of call for cruises sailing WA’s vast coastline. 

“The development of cultural welcome artwork and signage is a Tourism WA initiative that seeks to elevate the visibility of Aboriginal culture for visitors to WA, and is an action inspired by our Jina: Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan (2021-2025),” said Steph.

“We partner with key gateway facility operators such as Southern Ports to develop these installations created by Aboriginal artists that are unique to each facility, and the culture of its location.”

“Tourism WA continues to explore opportunities to promote authentic Aboriginal tourism to preserve our state’s cultural heritage, and I look forward to seeing Albany’s historic port adorned with incredible artwork from local Aboriginal talent.”

Expressions of interest are open until Wednesday 6 November from Aboriginal artists living in the Great Southern region, with the completed Aboriginal Cultural Welcome artwork expected to be installed by mid-2025.  

Download the Expression of Interest pack.