Going Places With Ernie Dingo

Great Barrier Reef

52 min

Ernie travels to the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of north-eastern Queensland and meets people who have made this beautiful part of the world their home. He catches up with Yindinji elder Gudju Gudju who shows him the mangrove swamps, explaining their importance to the reef as a nursery for the multitude of fish species that inhabit the reef. At James Cook University, Ernie meets Jamie, a toxinologist who is extremely passionate about his work with the deadly creatures that inhabit the ocean. Jamie shares with Ernie his goal to educate the world with his knowledge, with the hope of protecting our oceans and natural environments. Ernie also takes a scuba dive with diving instructor Erin, and finds out what her job and living on the Reef means to her; and he meets couple Gareth, a skipper, and his partner Teresa, also a toxinologist, who are raising a family on knowing and loving the Reef.

Uluru

51 min

Ernie lands in Australia’s red centre in the middle of winter and meets some of the people who live near the iconic “Uluru”. He meets traditional Annangu owner Sammy and his partner Kathryn, and gets an insight into Sammy’s view of this special place. Ernie is also invited by National Parks ranger Melinda and the local Annangu elders to take part in a controlled burn. He learns more about Mal, a woman who has spent the last 10 years of her life working in the shadow of Uluru and getting to know the Annangu people. Ernie meets a group of Indigenous people taking part in a training program that’s been designed to give Indigenous people opportunities to gain employment in the hospitality industry. Ernie takes a flight over Uluru with chopper-pilot Dave, seeing the rock formations from above and learning how this adventurous and well-travelled country boy ended up at Uluru.