Everyday Aussies Star in Short Films Showcasing Tropical North Queensland

Glen Jacobs

Move over models, actors and celebrity ambassadors, everyday locals are taking the spotlight in a series of short films designed to showcase one of Australia's most iconic tourist destinations.

At the forefront of an emerging trend in tourism marketing, This is my Paradise is an innovative campaign by Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland that showcases the destination's impressive natural assets and adventurous lifestyle through the eyes of everyday, yet inspiring locals doing extraordinary things.

With breathtaking backdrops spanning adrenalin-fuelled mountain terrain, lush rainforest, sky-high panoramas and the idyllic Great Barrier Reef, This is my Paradise bucks the trend of using celebrities to promote destinations, and instead harnesses the passionate and adventurous individuals who call Tropical North Queensland home.

Appealing to adventurous travellers seeking authentic experiences, Queensland Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jann Stuckey said the premise of the campaign was to engage audiences with the inspiring stories of locals, while showcasing the rich diversity and incredible landscapes of Tropical North Queensland.

“This is my Paradise is all about showcasing the destination's incredible array of adventurous experiences through the stories of the unique individuals who live and breathe Tropical North Queensland each and every day,” she adds.

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) CEO Leanne Coddington said This Is My Paradise is a tourism marketing initiative by TEQ and Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) to entice Brisbane and interstate travellers to embark on an adventure to Tropical North Queensland.

“This campaign is a wonderful example of TEQ, TTNQ and industry working together towards a common goal – to encourage more visitors to the Tropical North in 2014,” Ms Coddington said.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO, Alex de Waal said that the campaign had generated a groundswell of excitement and pride in the region with close to 100 submissions from passionate locals, all eager to take part and become the face of this new national tourism campaign.

“Given the depth of talent and range of remarkable stories on offer, it was incredibly difficult to shortlist these submissions down to just three. That said, the campaign has unearthed three distinctly different, yet equally inspiring stories of Tropical North Queenslanders living incredible lives and truly harnessing the backyards in which they live,” he adds.

Meet the everyday Aussies who are set to unveil their version of 'Paradise' to the world:

Glen Jacobs – Global pioneer of the mountain bike trailing industry

Considered the 'godfather' of the mountain bike trail industry, Glen Jacobs has designed over 300 projects in 18 countries across the globe. An adventurer at heart, Glen was instrumental in helping secure Australia's first World Cup Mountain Biking event in Cairns and has designed trails for the most elite competitions including the Olympics and World Championships. With an exhilarating day job, Glen has enjoyed some crazy adventures from being stalked by a mountain lion, to being bitten on the face by a venomous snake, but regardless of his unique experiences, he will never tire of exploring all that Tropical North Queensland has to offer.

Ross Miller – Second generation adventure seeker who splits his time between the sea and the sky

A born and raised adventure seeker from, Ross has spent much of his life at, under or above the sea having experienced his very first airborne adventure - tandem hang gliding with his Dad - at the mere age of 5. After a decade long career as a chef, Ross decided to pursue his passion for the ocean and has since spent the past 15 years running vessels and now captains a 22m luxury motor yacht, Aroona. Ross' ultimate dream is to document, for the first time, the remote reefs from a birds-eye-view in the hang-glider, and show the un-tapped adventures that are still to be found in the Tropical North.

Nikki Rumney – Future doctor, avid adventurer and free diver

Growing up in Tropical North Queensland, Nikki spent much of her childhood living in paradise, playing on the reef, riding horses along the beach and swimming with the mysterious Dwarf Minke Whales. Her father and mentor, John Rumney, taught Nikki to snorkel and free dive from a young age which forged her bond with the region. Currently pursuing a career in medicine, Nikki considered joining the family business running research expeditions along the Great Barrier Reef, but now hopes to combine her passion for science and the reef by specialising in remote wilderness and emergency medicine.

Glen Jacobs

The campaign marks the next incarnation of Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Tourism and Events Queensland's 1 Day in Paradise Campaign - a highly successful short film making challenge which reached audiences globally and generated over one million views on YouTube.



To learn more about This is My Paradise and view the short films of Glen, Ross and Nikki, visit www.exploretnq.com.au