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A new all-female cohort has begun their journey as Darumbal Trainee Rangers at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, under a program supported by Downer Defence and the Department of Defence.
Trainees undertake a year-long program of academic qualification in conservation and ecosystem management, as well as practical and theoretical in-field training on botanical plant identification, biosecurity, work health and safety processes, drone use, machinery maintenance, and plant establishment programs.
The inaugural cohort of Darumbal Trainee Rangers graduated from the traineeship at SWBTA in November last year.
The program is a collaboration between Downer, the DoD, Darumbal People Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, TAFE Queensland, and the specialist environmental consultancy Ecosure.
Darumbal Traditional Custodian and program liaison officer Kristina Hatfield said, “This program will be an eye opener for these women, because not only are they going to learn Western ways, but they’re also going to learn their culture and how their ancestors cared for Country.”
“Darumbal women have been caring for land and sea country for thousands of years, they are hunters and gatherers.
“To have Aboriginal cultural knowledge and an education in the Western ways is powerful.”
The program also brings traditional teachings from the Darumbal elders with over 2,000 generations of Indigenous knowledge, and Indigenous women’s knowledge.
“These are the sorts of commitments that give us an opportunity to advance our capability in land and sea country management,” Darumbal Traditional Custodian and program coordinator Malcolm Mann said.
“We have a custodial responsibility to our Country and commit to look after our land and sea Country.”
The head of Downer Defence, Jacob Bonisch, said Downer Defence has been developing this program with Defence and the Darumbal peoples over several years.
“To be facilitating an all-female Indigenous cohort as our second group of trainees is testament to the strength of this partnership and the commitment of all parties to enable authentic opportunities for Indigenous communities on Country,” he said.
“(This project is) creating meaningful connection in our role managing Defence bases and estates with the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which we operate.”
Robert Dougherty
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