Palaszczuk Government announces funding for Indigenous female ranger network

To kick off this year’s NAIDOC Week, with the theme “because of her, we can”, the Palaszczuk Government has announced funding to establish and support a Women’s Land and Sea Ranger Network here in Queensland.

In announcing the funding today while meeting with some rangers, Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said the $200,000 grant, jointly funded with WWF-Australia, would help establish a female ranger network to support skills-exchange and advocacy efforts.

“This year’s NAIDOC week has a special focus on recognising the contributions that First Nations women make to our communities,” Ms Enoch said.

“The Palaszczuk Government recognises the valuable work Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women do in our ranger teams, and we want to ensure they are well supported.

“Women rangers perform unique leadership roles in their communities, contributing cultural knowledge to help protect Country.

“We also recognise women rangers can face a number of challenges in their field, including a shortage of female colleagues, and that is why we are establishing a female ranger network.”

Ms Enoch said the project would start immediately, and included funding to employ a part-time coordinator that will organise network meetings and provide culturally appropriate support.

WWF’s National Conservation on Country Manager Cliff Cobbo said the network and coordinator role are a shot in the arm for the state’s female Indigenous rangers.

“The opportunity for women rangers to reach out to one another to seek advice, share their experiences, or talk through issues will be invaluable,” Mr Cobbo said.

“They are an inspiration in their communities, helping to save threatened species, protect marine life, and conserve their culture.

“We need more female Indigenous rangers and hopefully the network will motivate young women to see rangering as a potential career.”

As part of the NAIDOC Week celebrations, Minister Enoch today met with women who play a key role in Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger teams to learn more about their work in looking after the environment and cultural heritage across Queensland’s diverse landscapes – including the Lake Eyre Basin, Cape York Peninsula and the Great Barrier Reef.

Senior ranger Jodie Ahkee leads the five-person Lake Eyre Basin ranger team based out of Longreach, which tackles feral animals including cats and wild dogs, to protect important native species across the western channel country.

“I was born and bred in Rainforest Country (Yidinji) and have always loved being among nature,” Ms Ahkee said.

“I began working as a Traditional Owner on Country in Babinda in the Reef Rescue projects and I loved it because I obtained a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management and learned the importance of being a Custodian of Country and the responsibilities we have to our Ancestors and our environment. 

“I moved all the way from the rainforest to the outback to help care for others’ Country and am now the Senior Ranger for the Lake Eyre Basin Rangers based in Longreach and help my fellow rangers care for Country.

“I love being a Ranger, whether we are killing weeds or catching feral cats, we are part of a bigger picture where we work together to leave a better environment for our next generations.”

Tracy Solomon works with the Gudjuda Land and Sea rangers at Home Hill to undertake important turtle monitoring work off the Great Barrier Reef, north of Bowen, in partnership with James Cook University and the Department of Environment and Science.

As part of the Mapoon Land and Sea ranger team, Sarah Barkley works on turtle protection including through feral pig control, removal of ghosts nets and data collection.

“The work our Land and Sea Rangers do is invaluable, and especially during NAIDOC Week, it is important that we acknowledge their contributions to environmental conservation, cultural heritage values and research,” Ms Enoch said.

“For these women, the Women’s Land and Sea Ranger network project will help them stay connected even in remote areas and learn from each other about the best ways to care for Country.”

The women rangers work in Indigenous Land and Sea ranger teams employed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations through annual funding of $11 million from the Palaszczuk Government.   

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