Naomi Miles

I believe regional Australia has extraordinary natural assets that are often overlooked. Living and working in remote Australia, I see both the challenges faced by regional communities and the opportunities that exist to create sustainable futures by celebrating what makes these places unique.

My work has been guided by one question: how can we help remote communities not just survive but thrive?

A turning point came when I learned that many people around the world can no longer see the Milky Way because of light pollution. Reflecting on my own travels, I recognised that Outback Australia possessed something increasingly rare. As I learned more about the growing dark sky movement, I saw an opportunity to protect and celebrate this natural asset while creating new pathways for regional development. Dark skies require no major infrastructure but when protected and shared, they can create tourism opportunities, support local businesses and strengthen remote communities.

As Head of Museum at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History in Winton, Queensland, I have led two successful International Dark-Sky Place applications – the Museum’s Dark-Sky Sanctuary and Winton’s Dark-Sky Community recognition. Through collaboration with Winton Shire Council, local businesses and the community, I have helped establish the foundations for a new tourism opportunity that encourages longer visitor stays and supports regional businesses.

I am most proud of seeing a community embrace dark skies as both an opportunity and a legacy for future generations.

Through a Churchill Fellowship, I aim to learn from leading dark sky destinations and explore how exceptional night skies can be transformed into sustainable tourism opportunities for regional and remote communities.