Media release

It’s a far cry from the vineyards and bushland of the Hunter Valley, but for James it’s a new platform to do what he loves most: share culture, connect with people, and offer inclusive and meaningful tourism experiences.

“Tourism is about more than ticking off sights, it’s about storytelling,” James said. “I want people to feel the spirit of Country, to understand the history and culture of the land they’re on. My training at TAFE NSW helped me take that passion and turn it into something I could build a business around.”

“Yagurli Tours is Australia’s only Indigenous-run hot air balloon operator, and it’s incredibly powerful to be part of something so unique. We fly over native title land, and every flight is a chance to share that connection to Country with others.”

With over 20 years’ experience in the tourism industry, including as a guide with Hunter Valley Small Group Tours & Transfers, James turned to vocational education to formalise his skills and deepen his expertise. He credits the Certificate III in Guiding course with strengthening his abilities in customer service, logistics, cultural sensitivity, and communication.

It also gave him the confidence to mentor others and begin developing Indigenous-led experiences back home in the Hunter.

“There’s a real gap in the market for Indigenous-led tourism here,” he said. “TAFE NSW helped me realise I could be part of filling that gap. I’m now working on ideas that include bush tucker education, visits to culturally significant sites, and stories told through an Indigenous lens, which is something I believe more people are looking for.”

James’s teacher at TAFE NSW, Kim West, said his leadership, work ethic, and passion made him stand out from day one.

“James brought so much to the classroom – not just knowledge, but generosity,” Ms West said. “He mentored his classmates, shared insights from his work in the industry, and always found ways to lift others up. He was balancing five jobs and travelling over an hour to class each week, and he never once let it hold him back.”

Beyond his professional achievements, James is deeply embedded in the Hunter community. He has served as a retained firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW for 17 years, including in the role of Deputy Captain at Cessnock Station, and is a long-standing board member of Kiray Putjung Aboriginal Corporation. He also played a leading role in establishing the Ngarralingayil Barker campus in Wollombi, which delivers on-Country education for local Aboriginal students from Kindergarten to Year 6.

“Education has changed my life, and I want to help others see the value of skills-based training,” he said. “That’s why I’ve started further study at TAFE NSW in digital literacy and plan to enrol in a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, so I can one day teach and inspire the next generation of tourism professionals.”

Media contact: Sarah James, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.

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