After being pronounced husband and wife, Kiera Hopkins and Mitchell decided they would explore the beautiful Cape York Peninsula to celebrate their honeymoon with friends and their 18-month-old son.

It was all smooth sailing – so to speak – until the couple reached the Jardine River crossing, where their car engine blew, leaving them stranded. The family of three then caught a lift to Cape York Peninsula Lodge (CYPL) and booked accommodation for the night, but were distraught about the car and how they were
going to make it back to Cairns.

“It was a very lonely moment. Although we had the three of us and our friends were only a few kilometres ahead in their own car, being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no reception, minimal food and dusk approaching was very, very lonely,” Kiera explains.

The family made their way to the Lodge’s Paperbark Restaurant to enjoy a meal.

“We were actually celebrating our friend’s son’s second birthday, so we were trying to be in a positive mindset, but it was always in the back of our minds how we were getting home,” Kiera explains. Then Kiera met CYPL staff member, Ella.

“The first thing I saw was the big pink flower in her hair and her amazing smile. She just lit up the room – it was like she had a ring of light around her. I will never forget Ella’s beautiful warm soul that day and how safe she made me feel.”

At the time, Kiera and her husband were trying for a second baby and, after chatting to Ella and experiencing her gentle, reassuring nature, she knew exactly what that child’s name would be.

“We didn’t find out we were pregnant until about a month or so after we got home. A few months into the pregnancy we started chatting about names and I brought up Ella again and it just felt right.”

Ella Ketchell, who worked at CYPL for just over a year and now lives in Cairns, says she couldn’t believe the wonderful gesture.

“I loved working at Cape York Peninsula Lodge and was involved in a variety of jobs but my favourite job was definitely working in the restaurant,” Ella explains.

“I remember their family and how they ended up staying with us. When I found out they named their little one ‘Ella’, I was shocked, excited and privileged. It’s not something you really expect. I was just doing my job.”

Ella arrived into the world in July 2021, exactly nine months after Kiera went on the whirlwind trip to the Northern Peninsula Area.

“Ella is doing great,” says Kiera. “She’s a happy four-month-old who is meeting all her milestones and loving her brother, and we hope one day we can take her to visit Cape York.”

Bamaga cultural dance troupe Naygayiw Gigi (‘Northern Thunder’) celebrated its busiest year to date thanks to a new business structure created with the help of Cape York Peninsula Lodge (CYPL).

Previously, CYPL would help fund 10 dances per tourist season for the enjoyment of its guests. At the beginning of 2021, a new agreement between tour operator Outback Spirit and Naygayiw Gigi Dance Troupe resulted in a significant spike in the number of performances booked.

“After an introduction from Cape York Peninsula Lodge, we now deal directly with the tour groups and they reach out when they want to book us, which has been amazing,” Naygayiw Gigi Dance Troupe Leader, Leonora Adidi, said.

“Before, we might be lucky to dance four or five times a month during the tourist season; now it’s often four times a week.

“The Lodge has been fantastic and we can’t thank them enough for the support in setting up the partnership, plus they continue to provide a stage and seating for the performances.”

Outback Spirit Brand Manager, Matt Naldrett, said it’s rewarding to see a climb in bookings for the Indigenous dance group.

“Since aligning with us, Naygayiw Gigi has performed for our guests who have come back with fantastic feedback,” Mr Naldrett said.

Naygayiw Gigi, which was formed in 2015, aims to preserve and spread the Bamaga and Saibailgaw cultures while nurturing a new generation of performances through dances, stories and songs.

Due to COVID-19 border closures, unfortunately a number of the dance performances had to be cancelled this year, but the future for the Naygayiw Gigi Dance Troupe is looking bright with much interest for the 2022 tourist season.

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