The benefits of returning to country
Greening Australia gave us our first opportunity to work on country through the 20 million trees project in 2018. The journey took our Ngoolark Rangers to new pastures including the midwest region of WA and now our partnership has evolved into a program which provides many benefits to our Noongar families in the Great Southern region.
In 2019, the Ngoolark Rangers restored degraded land in and around Badgebup, Katanning, Woodanilling, Dumbleyung and Kojonup and combined with other smaller projects, planted almost 600,000 seedlings for the season.
The Ngoolark Rangers' workforce also expanded to include five new recruits from Gnowangerup, thanks to Robbie Miniter and the Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation, five unemployed youth joined us for the 2019 planting season.
The Rangers were prepared and ready to leave the Badgebup farm at 8.00am, after having breakfast at 7.30am with the rest of the team. The work was hard and the weather conditions harsh, but the Rangers perservered with the support of local farmers, who bought out cups of teas and refreshments to the paddocks to keep their spirits high. The technical support and training received from Greening Australia was invaluable in developing their skills in the use of pottipuktis, land management and conservation techniques. The program has been a great success in environmental, economic and social outcomes.
some of the guys travelling in each morning, had to get up rise early, but felt a sense of achievement working on the land and earning money..it had an amazing effect on them.
Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation and the Ngoolark Rangers are now in discussions with Greening Australia to develop an MOU (memorandum of Understanding) to undertake more work projects in 2019/2020 across a range of conservation and land management projects.
It's great to have something to look forward to, it's great to work and have some money… I'm careful now during the week to make sure that I get to bed on time because it's work tomorrow.
Local Shires of Katanning, Kent and Gnowangerup have also commenced negotiations with BAC on potential works projects. Along with support from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservations and Attractions, it is hoped that a year-long works program of conservation and land projects can be developed for 2019/20 providing the rangers much needed regular employment while strengthening community and culture through the restoration of management of the land.
BAC has established this community enterprise with support from the Noongar Charitable Trust and its partnership with Greening Australia and local Badgebup farmers. Ngoolark Rangers are now a viable working and growing community-based Ranger group in Noongar country.
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Q. Can anyone join Ngoolark Rangers?
A. As our programs advance we aim to provide more training and employment opportunities to local Noongars, please use the contact form to get in touch if you are interested?
Q. Do I need to take a drugs test?
A. Yes. Your safety and others is paramount to us, that is why we continually promote the benefits of health and safety including strong spirit, mind and body. Having a drug problem does not mean you have a life sentence, there is a way to a better life. Come and talk to us if you want to change your life?