From sharing his Aboriginal culture and brilliant starry night skies, to upgrading facilities and being fact-checked by flat earthers, 22-year-old Mostyn Nannup has plenty on his plate as general manager at the Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory (GDC) near Gingin.
It’s a role he’s embraced with open arms after first joining the not-for-profit science centre under the guidance of his grandfather, who leads the Aboriginal Astronomy sessions at GDC.
“My grandfather’s role is once a month doing the storytelling, and eventually my role was supposed to be doing some of that as well, but I just enjoyed running the business and trying to make it better for everyone, so I chose that path instead,” he says.
“Sharing my culture as part of my job has really grown over the past couple of years and being able to do that is very special, people are becoming more and more receptive to it.”
How did you get into this career?
Mostyn began his time at GDC with the intent to help his grandfather with the storytelling sessions (the centre has a strong connection to the Noongar people). However, he quickly discovered a passion for business management, and this desire has been nurtured ever since.
“So I didn’t study at all, everything I’ve learned has been on the job,” Mostyn tells us one afternoon at the centre, where he takes us on a guided bushwalk followed by an astronomy tour as night falls.
“My grandfather told me they were looking for an Indigenous trainee, so I came out of school and went straight into a management traineeship here. Each day I learn how to manage the business, and through working in tourism I’ve opened a lot of doors for myself.”
What’s a typical day look like for you?
As the general manager of a busy tourism centre, Mostyn is responsible for the daily operations, which includes managing a team of staff, general administration, balancing the financials and so much more.
“So normally I’ll make sure everybody’s rosters and timetables are done, and I do the till and make sure all the money’s balanced out and generally just make sure everything is on time and running smoothly.”
Mostyn is also working on several exciting development projects to diversify the current tourism offering within the centre. “Here, one of my big goals was definitely driving more improvements… We’re currently doing a gallery upgrade and fundraising for that. We’re also in the process of getting accommodation built out here.”
Best part of the job?
Working in such a beautiful part of Western Australia means Mostyn gets to enjoy the unique natural environment of Gingin – from the ground level to high up above. “The best part is what we’re surrounded by, with all the bushlands and there’s nothing around us,” he says. “Of course, climbing up the tower every day is also special.”
Mostyn loves seeing the increased interest in his own culture in real time and the opportunity to share it with visitors, taking tours with school and senior groups, with numbers ranging between “10 and 200 people a day”.
“When we’re out there, we get a lot of questions from the kids, and I like being able to teach them that what they’re walking past is a lot more than what they can just see.”
How have you developed in your role, professionally and personally?
Working at the GDC has allowed Mostyn to grow his skill set on the job, while drawing on his other life experiences to offer the centre plenty in return.
“I’ve been in an emerging management role, but I come from a footy background. Being a captain of a footy team for so long and vice-captain in my senior levels, I wanted to bring that teamwork here to build a great group of staff. It was something I wanted to tick off,” he tells us, not without a hint of pride.
Would you recommend a career in tourism?
“Absolutely,” he smiles. “Like I said, I don’t have any qualifications, but there’s just so much I’ve learnt on the job that I’ve been able to take outside of work… The people you meet really drive you to keep progressing. There’s just so much you can build on.”
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