mmg.com.au

A floating hospitality training facility for young indigenous people will soon be a reality in Echuca.

Brainchild of Aboriginal chef Mark Olive, the venture will see a handful of ‘Outback Academies’ established in Echuca, Melbourne and Western Australia.

The academies will provide training for people wanting to become chefs or to become involved in other aspects of the hospitality industry.

District hospitality employers and networks were Wednesday briefed about the initiative.

Negotiations are under way to purchase the MV Maryann to be used as a training restaurant on the Murray River, though other local restaurants will be needed to host apprentices.

Mr Olive owns Black Olive Catering and who hosted the Lifestyle Channel TV series the The Outback Cafe.

He aims to develop highly-skilled chefs who also have a strong knowledge of indigenous food.

The Echuca academy will train about 12 chefs, while a TV series The Outback Academy will document the experiences of the young people going through the pilot academies.

Njernda chairperson Kevin Williams said the project was an opportunity for the community to work together to not only provide training for young indigenous people in the region, but to enhance the town’s tourism credentials.

He said at the moment, the story of Echuca’s Aboriginal history was not promoted to visitors to the town.

‘‘We think that experience, people will enjoy,’’ he said.

Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation board member Neville Atkinson said the academy would help make the dreams of young Aboriginal people a reality.

Mr Olive said when he completed his apprenticeship in the 1970s there were not many other indigenous people doing so.

‘‘If they were there, they didn’t last long,’’ he said.

His venture would support young people, and help them find something they were passionate about, as well as giving the young trainees a taste of hospitality life in local host restaurants.

The Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations supports the initiative.

The academy is expected to start in July and production of the TV series to start in September.