16 March 2026
Indigenous trainees and staff members of the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA) have designed a new uniform artwork now worn by trainees throughout Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru, with the original piece selected to feature at Alice Springs’ Parrtjima festival in April.
The artwork, titled Journey to Uluru, has been transferred from canvas onto the resort’s new uniform range. The original painting will appear as part of Parrtjima’s flagship Grounded installation in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) from 10-19 April 2026, with the artists also taking part in a public Q&A during the festival.
Created by five Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara trainees and staff members — Inawantji (Ina) Scales, April Barry, Trevor Burton, Agnes May and Akiyah Macumba — the piece reflects their deep connection to Country, cultural identity and shared experiences during training.
Agnes May, who now works as Anangu Engagement Coordinator at Ayers Rock Resort, said the group wanted the artwork to reflect both their journeys and the desert surroundings: “We wanted to talk about how we started the journey, coming from different places, getting ideas from other trainees, Anangu and animals, and finding ways to represent the landscapes.”
The design brings together Indigenous symbols and meeting places, with Uluru at the centre. Concentric circles represent different places across Australia and the Torres Strait Islands, while yellow lines trace the journey to Uluru.
For Manager of Indigenous Engagement, Ina Scales, seeing the artwork rolled out across the uniforms was a standout moment: “Seeing it for the first time on the shirts, we had to get it filmed because it was so exciting. We were so proud.”
Watch the reveal: The Story Behind the NITA Uniform | Journey to Uluru
During Parrtjima’s opening weekend, NITA trainees will also operate a food and beverage stall, with proceeds supporting the Aṉangu Communities Foundation. The stall also provides an opportunity for locals attending the festival to meet trainees, learn about the program and see first-hand the employment pathways NITA creates.
Matt Cameron-Smith, CEO of Voyages says: “What makes this moment powerful is not just the artwork itself, but the young people behind it. At Parrtjima, our NITA trainees will gain hands-on experience running the food and beverage stall while showing other young people in the region what’s possible. When you can see it, you can be it – and that’s what NITA is all about.”
Since 2011, NITA has supported nearly 800 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trainees through nationally recognised hospitality and tourism qualifications, combining paid, on-the-job training with classroom learning at Ayers Rock Resort, Uluru and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in Queensland. The program, operated by Voyages Tourism Australia, will celebrate its 15th Anniversary later this year.
For more information about NITA, visit https://www.nita.edu.au/