Angie Ouyang says she aims to make her tours “memorable” by finding common ground with visitors. Photo: Supplied.
After three years in the profession, a Canberra tour guide’s latest honour has come during a national competition.
Angie Ouyang joined the National Museum of Australia in 2023 and has worked as a host ever since.
The thought of talking to groups of strangers might make you break out in a cold sweat, but Angie has come to love it.
She also admits that she’s “always a bit nervous” before a tour.
“But every time, it’s always finished well,” she said.
“In this job, I can use my language skills. I can meet people, and I can learn and share [information].”
Despite her short time in the field, Angie took home bronze in the Australian Top Tour Guide Awards earlier this week.
It follows her previous win as Top Tour Guide in the Canberra Region.
Each day Angie runs multiple guided tours, covering things like the museum’s design, First Nations history and dedicated exhibitions.
She runs her tours to connect with visitors.
“I would ask what might interest you,” she said when asked about her approach.
“If they say, ‘I’m interested in painting’, I would take note of all those paintings from my tour … I adapt to the visitors’ needs.
“It’s a long process!”
While Canberra’s winter mornings are “not that much” warmer than the South Pole, she said the museum’s Antarctica exhibition was one of her favourites to talk about with visitors.
“I’ve done all those three daily tours … Sometimes I’ll be requested to do some special tours, like the Our Story exhibition for the VIP tour.”
Angie says leading tours through the NMA’s current Antarctica exhibition has been a career highlight. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Working at the museum was her first job in Australia after she immigrated from China.
Before arriving in the bush capital, she had worked as a French teacher at the University of Guangzhou.
“[Since I started] at the National Museum of Australia, I understand Australian history so much better, and I can actually see myself, my place in Australian history as an immigrant.
“That’s the motivation.
“I want to share these experiences and help people to connect more with Australian history.”
Angie said the award process was “like doing a tour” through her career for the judges, and involved filling an entry form, a written submission and a 30-minute interview.
“It was like guiding them [through] my journey, and it’s very fun,” she said of the experience.
“I just cared that I had done my best.”
Angie remembers her fellow hosts and other museum staff as cheering her on when she found out she’d won.
“I received so much encouragement and support … There are so many great guys in our museum.
“I’m representing them. I feel very honoured and lucky.”
Canberra Region Tourism Industry Council Managing Director Debra Beetham paid tribute to Angie’s win.
“We are proud to see the Canberra Region Tour Guide Award winner Angie Ouyang take out Bronze at the Australian Top Tour Guide Awards; it is a testament to her passion and the stories she shares every day.”
The NMA is open daily 9 am to 5 pm (except Christmas Day).
