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Rangers Conference 10-12 March 2020
QueenslandIndigenous Land & Sea
Bama Bulmba Mamingal People love and care for country
Co-hosted by Djabugay Aboriginal Corporation/Bulmba Rangers and Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program, Department of Environment and Science
Proceedings
Acknowledgements
Conference Snapshot• 117 Queensland Indigenous rangers• Land and Sea Rangers, QPWS rangers, Land Trust Rangers• From Torres Strait to Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island)• Around 150 participants in total
Introduction To Country:Nyurramba garrang-ala, djunda-djundang bala:Nganydjiny“You’s mob come now, walk with us”
Thank You to our Sponsors & Partners
• National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Northern Australia Hub• Year of Indigenous Tourism, Department of Innovation and Tourism Development• Reef Joint Field Management Program (QPWS / GBRMPA)• Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA)• Tjapukai Cultural Park• Braschs Cairns
Artwork by: Wally BrimDesign & Layout by: Djabugay Design
Conference Day 1
Welcome To CountryFacilitator Barry Hunter welcomed us to the conference and to Djabugay country, also acknowledging the Yirrganydji people who share close ties. Barry presented a video produced by Djabugay’s Bulmba rangers and then invited us to acknowledge country, call out to country, in our individual ways before gathering in the main conference area to commence proceedings.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••More Than a Ranger! (Barry Hunter)
In the opening session, Barry introduced the conference theme — More than a Ranger! Barry challenged us as rangers to think, over the course of the conference, about how we can take our roles to the next level in our work and personal lives. He invited us to share stories about countries, work, what it means for our mobs, noting that the role stays on, in and out of uniform.
Barry paid respect to the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program (QILSRP) in the Department of Environment and Science (DES) for the initiative in co-hosting the design and delivery of the workshop.
Barry provided an overview of the conference program and the deadly range of facilitators and speak-ers ahead. He introduced an ‘ice-breaker’ exercise, where we shared a drawing and a story about our country with five others.
We then called out what being a ranger means to us:
• being on country, reconnecting with country, old story lines and family• pride, being proud of yourself• working with community and Elders• showing leadership, having authority, being custodians• being educators and role models for next generation • listening to and learning from Elders• having a voice, networks and connections.
Barry suggested rangers are all of these things: instructors, links, researchers, cultural knowledge-keepers, heroes, cultural ambassadors, role models, bridge builders, family, disruptors, facilitators, ground-breakers, influencers, interpreters, trend-setters,
cultural knowledge-collectors, counsellors, a voice, and deadly.
Barry asked ‘what does healthy country, healthy people’ mean? The conference will challenge you to think about your own health, fitness and nutrition. We’ve got to start enacting and making it real. We need to have a healthy mind, learn something every day, yarn and read.
Barry spoke of the evolution of the land and sea management operators, with the land rights fight in the 1970s, the archaeological rangers in the ‘80s (through the then Department of Aboriginal Affairs), the increasing clarification of Traditional Owner aspirations in the 2000’s, our mob growing more empowered, recognised and invested in and now today we have over 100 Land and Sea operators in 23 communities across Queensland.
Barry spoke of rangers’ recent meeting with Minister Enoch, and when asked if she wants to be funding rangers in 20 years’ time her response pointed to the future business opportunities for Aboriginal land managers. We are businesspeople, and this is where our future lies. Now we are being paid by the government to deliver land management services, but we are building social enterprises. Julie-Ann Lam-bourne will join the conference to talk about social enterprise.
We are having business impact now, for example:
• Yuku Baja Muliku with turtle hospital, art gallery, junior rangers and research• Dawul Wuru with fee-for-service crocodile management, Indigenous tourism, fee-for-service work with Cairns Airport managing mangroves• Gujuda with turtle research and market gardens, cultural tours and cafe
Conference Day 1
• Myuma with weed spraying for the national highway, commercialisation of spinifex, protection of IP• Ewamian with tourism and fee-for-service work.
Rangers broke into small groups to discuss, ‘How can we make ourselves better, to inspire and take our mob to the next level?’ Our responses were:
• more rangers• give respect to get respect• Government to listen to our mob• knowledge passed to reliable people• learn from Elders• more youth role models• take what we learn back to country • Indigenous fire management• build capacity/leadership in our group • everyone put in their best every day• self-development, improve our knowledge and fitness• keep our equipment in order• self-sustainable and independent • fulfil our contracts, demonstrate that we can do it• build a brand; rangers are a walking, talking brand.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Stories from women working on country (panel)
Larissa Hale, Managing Coordinator of Yuku Baja Muliku introduced the panel — Sarah Barkley (Ranger Coordinator, Mapoon), Brittney Butler (Yirrganydji woman, QPWS), Chantel Van Wamelen (Ranger Coordinator, Butchulla), Dawn Harrigan (Jabalbina Ranger Coordinator/Ranger Resource), Laura Pearson (Senior Ranger Supervisor, Central Ranger Cluster, Torres Strait Ranger Program).
Larissa asked the panel, ‘Why did you become a ranger?’
• Sarah responded that her grandmother was her mentor and inspired her to go back on country.
• For Brittney, it was a love of working on country, for country. Being a ranger is a role that makes her proud.
• For Chantel, from studying her Bachelor of Human Services and doing cultural programs with child safety, she found that she didn’t enjoy the work or the red tape involved. She started working for the PBC and then helped write the submission for Land and Sea rangers. She didn’t have a strong connection with culture as a child, so returning to country and doing this work is deepening her learning about culture.
• • For Dawn, she holds close to her heart the
struggles of her Elders to bring their community to where they are today, and this gives her strength in her work as a ranger.
• For Laura, being a Ranger Coordinator is an important role for protecting and practising culture. Her grandmother is an inspirational person and she is motivated to deliver benefits for the next generation.
‘Which woman inspired you the most?’
• For Sarah, it is her grandmother who helped through struggles.
• For Brittney, her grandmother who taught her to be responsible and took her fishing.
Conference Day 1
• For Chantel, it is the strong women in her community — there are many of them.
• For Dawn, it is the old people and all of their women (rangers) who have come far with their training — coxswains, fire management, looking after women’s sites.
• For Laura, it is her grandmother, aunties and sisters — they all played a big part. Sister Larissa is an inspiration.
‘What do you like best about your job?’
• For Sarah, it is seeing the Elders on country. Their faces light up and that tells you that you’ve done something good that day.
• For Brittany, being young brings more challenges but also helps her in inspiring the young generation.
• For Chantel, it is her passion for inter-generational learning.
• For Dawn, it is her support for successful Junior Rangers.
• For Laura, it is the seasons and the still-pristine environment in the Torres Strait. The central cluster is on the front line of coastal erosion. It is her only home and the work they are doing — revegetation, planting traditional trees, and involving schools — is important. She can see the outcomes from everyone chipping in.
• Larissa suggested that is important to not forget your five-year-old self — to be fearless, dance in the light, ask hard questions, put yourself forward.
‘What is the one piece of advice you would give to women who want to be rangers?’
• For Sarah, ‘it’s never too late, keep striving’. • For Brittney, ‘stay confident, believe in yourself, that
you can do anything’.• For Chantel, ‘hold the fire in your belly, be proud of
who you are’.
Larissa, who is in on many committees, encourages women to ‘take on these roles, put your hand up, put yourself forward and speak for country’. Contributions from the audience included:• Women empower each other and provide
inspiration, thanks to Larissa and the panel for paving the way for all of us.
• Women and men are equal. In the past, ranger teams were a male-dominant role, but because of women doing a great job they now stand as one in taking care of country.
• Passionate about working with the younger girls. Lots of kids don’t feel connected to country and it’s important that we focus on passing it on to the kids.
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‘Great Barrier Reef Foundation:Traditional Owners and the Reef Trust Partnership’ presentation (Dr Leah Talbot, Traditional Owner Partnership Team - GBRF)
Barry introduced and welcomed Dr Leah Talbot, the Projects Manager in the Traditional Owner Partnerships Team with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation (GBRF).
Leah acknowledged her Kuku Yalanji brothers and sisters present at the conference. She also acknowledged the Traditional Owners the Djabugay and Yirrganydji Peoples. She thanked all of the rangers for the amazing jobs they do in looking after our country.
Leah is now working with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to look at how Traditional Owners can be better involved at all levels across the reef and contribute to making changes and managing the Reef. Leah mentioned the other members of the Traditional Owner Partnerships Team who include Liz Wren as the Director, Karin Gerhardt as the Program Manager, Eliza Glasson as the Senior Secretariat and Brian Singleton as the Engagement Manager – who many of you here would know well.
Leah also acknowledged Larissa Hale as the Chair and Gavin Singleton as members of the GBRF’s Traditional Owner Working Group, other members also include Malcom Mann, Traceylee Forrester and Stan Lui – they are leading, to drive the change needed for Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef.
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The Reef Trust Partnership has focused funding to Traditional Owner components over the next 5 years – including opportunities for $20M towards water quality, $5.8M for crown-of-thorns starfish management, $10M for reef restoration, $4M for integrated monitoring, $10M for a Traditional Owner Futures Fund and $2M for Traditional Owner Phase 1 Grant Program.
GBRF is taking a co-design approach to how the funding should be allocated — in a process of planning, negotiating knowledge and research needs, appropriate governance arrangements and access to benefit sharing.
The economic value of the reef has been estimated by Deloitte Access Economics at $6.4 Billion per year — and it does not include the value of the Reef as a cultural landscape and more of this should go to Traditional Owners to care for reef country.
What has been done so far – a commitment of 10% of Reef Trust fundingdedicated to Traditional Owners. Establishment of a Traditional Owner Working Group, immediate investment of $1.8 million grants program to respond to Traditional Owner priorities, a commitment to hold a workshop to inform the co-design of the RTP annual workplan. The team is holding strategic meetings, workshops and stakeholder forums to provide input and advice on matters affecting, or of high importance to, Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owners.
Traditional Owners have told us a key priority is to establish the Traditional Owner governance arrangements for the program — including the Traditional Owner technical working groups for water quality, crown-of-thorns starfish, reef restoration and integrated monitoring.
Over the first six months of 2020 the team will focus on establishing Traditional Owner Technical Working Groups across four Reef Trust Partnership components and are calling for Expressions of Interest now to be involved in these. They will continue to work with Traditional Owners on co-design values and principles, and what this means in practice for water quality, crown-of-thorns starfish, reef restoration and integrated monitoring. They will continue to engage with Traditional Owners through local and regional meetings, working up to a reef wide forum in 2021.
GBRF will be holding a strategic roundtable with Traditional Owner thought-leaders to look at workforce and training requirements to deliver across the Reef Trust Partnership and will continue to listen and learn with Traditional Owners and others about establishing a Futures Fund.
Leah encouraged rangers to participate at all levels for Traditional Owners — to consider the working groups and to come along to the Traditional Owner co-design workshops held in the various locations along the coast and to start to think about how you as Traditional Owners we want these funds to be directed.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••‘Research, rangers and rethinking the roles’ presentation (Professor Michael Douglas, NESP)
Barry introduced Michael Douglas as Hub Leader of the Northern Australian Environmental Resources Hub: a six-year research initiative focussed on supporting the sustainable development in northern Australia, funded by the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program (NESP).
Michael acknowledged the Djabugay and Yirrganydji Traditional Owners.
Conference Day 1
The goal of the Northern Hub of the NESP is to support sustainable development in Northern Australia. They have $24M over six years to undertake research in four areas:
• reducing risks from conventional development (intensive agriculture and mining) • supporting alternative economic development• planning for future development • managing threats to biodiversity and research to support doing this in the most effective way.
Rangers are providing a huge service to Australian societies and dealing with real-world problems on country. A lot more rangers are getting involved in research — they spend time on country, have skills in monitoring and presenting findings, and are undertaking fee-for-service work.
However, there are opportunities for doing research in a different way, supporting a different role for rangers. The approach to the research process in the past has not involved rangers properly — with the development of the research question, the presentation of the results (mostly to other researchers only), the publication of the results and the impact not involving rangers. As a funding body for research, the most common complaint that they have heard from ranger groups is that researchers didn’t report back to them on the findings. They are now saying to researchers seeking funding from them, ‘You need to focus your research on a solution to real-world problems’. Researchers should be engaging Indigenous rangers from the beginning and throughout the research process — in resolving the research question (rangers know the real-world problem), identifying which problems need research, in making sure that the research impact benefits the work that rangers do, and analysing the economic and social benefits for communities.
We need ‘trans-disciplinary’ research — that recognises different expertise. This requires a different sort of scientist — one who is committed to working with others and being a good listener. The approach takes time, money and patience but can deliver a greater range of benefits for science, rangers, country and society.
We discussed issues further in the small group sessions.
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Exploring rangers’ greater purpose (Barry Hunter) Barry explained that the afternoon’s sessions would focus on the varied roles and greater purpose of rangers. Barry introduced the ‘super-star’ panel, who would be facilitating small group discussions. These included:
• Dr Leah Talbot• Patrick O’Leary (Pew Foundation) • Julie-Ann Lambourne (Tagai Consultants).
Barry encouraged rangers to think about our roles in ‘leading’ – leading research relationships, in leading management of country, in leading work to attract multiple sources of investment.
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What are rangers’ roles in community? (Barry Hunter, Djabugay; Paddy O’Leary, PEW)
This session provided us with an opportunity to think about how our roles and the work we do might evolve in the future. In each session, we broke into two smaller groups and discussed ideas about:
1. What does it mean to be an Indigenous Ranger currently?2. What might our roles involve in the future, with changing technology and environmental challenges, and greater recognition by the wider community of the importance of traditional land managers working on country to restore natural ecosystems, protect culture and protect the environment?
We brainstormed these questions in smaller groups — our ideas are summarised below:
Conference Day 1
What are rangers’ roles currently?
Protecting and managing cultural sites• archaeological digs• cultural site management• protecting cultural sites
Natural resource management • weed management • feral pest management (aerial shooting, trapping and shooting)• turtle monitoring (sand movement and nest protection)• coral and seagrass monitoring• wetland survey• reef surveys (coral bleaching, % live coral)• wild croc harvesting (egg collection)• animal handling protocols (microchip, samples e.g. blood, measurement)• shorebird surveys• bio security (beach patrols, bugs, YCA, rats eradication, Singapore ants)• monitoring endangered species• practising traditional methods• croc monitoring (skills e.g. coxswains)• vegetation health check• animal handling (measurements, survey, trapping, cameras)• dealing with biohazards
Fire • fire education • patrolling boundaries, fire breaks• fire management (aerial ignition, navigation training)• cultural indicators on country• traditional fire management and knowledge and recognition from QPWS
Community liaison• improving neighbour relationships• cooperative work• community engagement• junior rangers learning on country• language revitalisation• compliance (working with QPWS / traditional methods)• advocates
Environment • water quality• erosion control• sediment trapping
Tourism and visitors • working on building up tourism• compliance patrols
Research• learning about science and data• surveys research• data management
Maintenance• infrastructure and building• machinery maintenance
Training and tech• working on certification• technology (drones, ipad, itracker, camera traps, GPS )• technology (u/w drones, air drones), more efficiency, sometimes increases work• GIS and remote sensing (changing land use)
What has changed/is changing?
Technology• use drones for mapping, check changes in country, animal surveys
Recognition of Traditional Owners• new ranger bases under construction• re-occupation, rebuild community• Traditional Owners can control access, make key decisions• continue strong presence, tourists, locals, researchers get permission• community leadership and empowerment
Conference Day 1
Employment• more ranger roles, paid roles on country• Traditional Owners need to be part of management equation, funding is part of that• Country is going downhill, but management is improving country• rangers are more prominent• needed a degree in the past, not many jobs• training skills (coxswains, heavy machinery, compliance)• acceptance• more mob in leadership positions• fee for service work• contract opportunities• ranger chopper pilot positions• roles in QPWS
Increased access and tourism• road improvements (positive for Traditional Owners) BUT will bring tourism access and pressure• tourism and access brings pros and conservation• more rangers will be needed to manage more people• pressure on fishing spots (local food source)• paying for access and caps for numbers• Traditional Owner control of tourism on land is an opportunity• pressure on privacy• change to water quality and consumption• airstrip and access• tourism opportunities (how to develop ideas?)• compliance (land and water)• visitor management
Natural resource management• weed spread is future issue• protecting rivers used by community for drinking• weeds and erosion have got worse (e.g. bellyache trees, rubbervine)• sea erosion in Torres Strait• turtles laying later due to heat, eggs/hatching less successful• bird migration changing, tourism disturbing beach birds• coral bleaching• poor fire management affecting wildlife• Crown of thorns starfish on reef and in Torres Strait• catchment impact on reef• weed spread and growth of Cairns• turtle nesting around Cairns is declining
• noticing delay in plants flowering, bees and insects under pressure• opportunity for species monitoring and baseline surveys (know what’s there)
Fire management• complex to negotiate burns near Cairns (fire management is getting more challenging)• good fire techniques have revived country• new recognition of Indigenous fire is an opportunity
New opportunities• bio-prospecting – traditional medicine• biosecurity and fisheries• collaborations with scientists and industry• fee for service (biosecurity, marine parks, fire management on state lands)• more engagement with researchers (leading research, monitoring the reef, green zones)• managing water (cultural rights)
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••What are rangers’ roles in caring for country (Indigenous-led research? (Dr Leah Talbot)
Leah explained that she was trained in technical science and learned all the mainstream scientific techniques, which did not include much Indigenous knowledge. Now she focusses on Indigenous research methodologies.
Environmental science is about methodological frameworks, data collection techniques and analysis. As a contrast, Indigenous-led research involves Elders committees/Advisors, co-researchers, co-authors, collaborative outcomes, ‘walking together’.
Conference Day 1
What we know is that research happens on country; but it needs to happen with Indigenous people. We are not having a debate about whether connection to country is broken, or whether Indigenous science exists — it does so because we are here!
What does it mean for our mob to lead this research? Empowering’ Indigenous people in the research space?What does it mean — our way of knowing? We need to build our own deeper understandings, set the agenda, move into the driver’s seat.
We need to link research to country. We must consider rights and roles to country, rights and roles to knowledge. We have another tool for the tool box – Indigenous research methodologies.
Leah spoke broadly about rangers’ roles in Indigenous-led innovation and research — as leaders, co-researchers, translators, problem-solvers, collaborators and protectors of lore. She asked rangers to reflect on ‘what does Indigenous-led research look like to you?’
Rangers’ discussion centred around these questions:
1. What are rangers’ roles in Indigenous-led innovation and research? 2. What does Indigenous-led research look like? (Does research match our priorities? Do we shareinbenefitsandoutcomes?Doesresearch answer questions we want answered?)
Our responses are summarised below:
What are rangers’ roles in Indigenous-led innovation and research?
• Leaders — authority to speak up, role models, project managers• Co-researchers — conservationists and looking after ourselves, good intentions, treading lightly• Translators — translators of data to audience (community), teachers and learners, liaison role, open communication• Problem solvers — respectful of country, country is the boss, open to new ideas, monitor, learn, observe, overcome• Collaborators — making sure we stand up and keep awareness of protocols, cultural protocols/ Elders involvement, cultural advisors/ cultural inductions
• Protectors/up holders of lore — knowledge -holders, be respectful of the lore on country, guardianship of knowledge (protect knowledge system).
What does Indigenous-led research look like?
• research protocols• meetings to talk about respect and accountability• get training from researchers to do own research• identify researchers to work with• being part of the research team• consulting Elders for priorities and threats• let researchers know our priorities• creating new knowledge, e.g. calendars.
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What are rangers’ roles in business and social enterprise? (Julie-Ann Lambourne)
Julie-Ann began by reminding rangers that Indigenous people are the oldest living culture — we need to be proud of this and participate in business as leaders in the fields we work in.
It is important to find other sources of funding other than government. Funding can be cut from government — having an enterprise to fall back onto can ensure that the organisation continues beyond government funding cycles.
There are two types of business — commercial enterprise and social enterprise:
Conference Day 1
• Commercial enterprise engages in commercial, industrial or professional activities with the explicit purpose of making a profit.• Social enterprises are businesses for a purpose that use business strategies to achieve a social, cultural or environmental goal.
What are the commercial opportunities for our ranger group/organisation?
• look at our skills/assets that can provide a commercial service• build each other up• use our cultural knowledge to start business ideas• protect our cultural Intellectual Property• we have to go after it, don’t wait until the perfect business case is written, or the ideal infrastructure is in place.
What are the steps we need to take from ‘inspiration to implementation’ of a business idea?
• know exactly what our business idea/product is• Why is our idea/product different from others?• Who are our customers?• How will we make money?• get good advice, and be ok to ask• start small and build it as we go.
Ranger discussion covered different groups’ experiences in running a business:
• Butchulla rangers pointed out that you need money to start a business, e.g. to buy a bus to start tours. Others suggested that you need to start small and partner with other businesses to help.• Michael Ross (Olkola) talked about their three tours/year, taking people out to see work on-country (https://www.olkola.com.au/copy-of-corporation).• Yirrganydji rangers spoke about their fee-for service work (http://dawulwuru.com.au/ land-management/).• Mandinglbay Yidinji (Djunbunji) talked about their tourism development (http://www.djunbunji.com.au/tours/).• Ewamian rangers discussed their hot springs tourism project (https://www.ewamian.com.au/talaroostation) • Bunya rangers spoke about their fee-for-service weed-steaming work for clients who want chemical-free weed control.
• Chuulangun rangers discussed the Chuulangun camp grounds (https://www.kaanjungaachi.com.au/ChuulangunCamp grounds.htm).
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How do you delegate work to rangers, manage priorities, and deal with conflict? (Clinton Scott-Knight)
Clinton Scott-Knight is a qualified trainer and assessor with National Indigenous Training Employment Solutions. This closed session for ranger coordinators and managers focussed on leadership, a key part of those roles.
Clinton began by asking: ‘What is leadership’?
Leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act towards achieving a common goal. Leadership involves dealing with conflict, managing stress, and managing priorities and delegating.
He talked about how we can get the best out of the people we are leading. Recognising diversity — points of difference — in personal identities. We only start to notice similarities and differences of individual when we come into a relationship. Everyone has their own world views, and their own perceptions. Whenever we communicate, we are defining ourselves in relation to the other person.
Clinton spoke about conflict management styles (Accommodating, Collaborating, Avoiding, Competing and Compromising). He discussed causes of workplace stress such as deadlines, criticism and too much work, and what we can do about it — remove, change, accept.
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Clinton then talked about the four steps to delegating:
1. Identify tasks2. Set expectations3. Develop a team action plan4. Communicate and delegate.
Leaders need to create a ‘feedback culture’ where we allocate time to check in with our staff, model openness and honesty, and acknowledge our own mistakes. We can use techniques such as the ‘balcony view’ and ‘above the line thinking’ to be effective leaders.
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More than a Ranger! wrap-up (Barry, Paddy, Leah, Clinton)
Barry Hunter said the feedback from the workshops really highlighted the theme ‘More than a ranger!’ Rangers have many roles and are a foundation of cultural knowledge.
Paddy O’Leary said the workshops highlighted how much growth and change there has been in the last 20 years. Your grandparents and parents maintained the vision of getting people back on country; you are realising that now.
Every ranger group started off small and piecemeal, but with vision you have built and built. In the last 5–6 years there has been more appreciation of the work rangers are doing, and greater awareness in wider community and in cities. Work on country provides stability.
We are going to need more rangers, as there are more environmental challenges on our plate. Some groups get State funding, some national, some both. There has been recent success from your lobbying efforts, with the
Australian Government just announcing that they have committed to funding ranger groups until 2028 — proving seven years of funding certainty.
Congratulations to everyone involved, and time now to work on the Queensland Government for a long-term funding commitment.
Clinton Scott-Knight thanked the organisers for the opportunity to facilitate the Ranger Coordinator session on leadership. This session included discussion about the role of leadership in motivating people; and about the different styles of leadership. Rangers talked about the risk of burn out, stress associated with dealing with conflicts, and the need to manage how they can affect our behaviours and physical well-being.
Barry thanked Julie-Ann, Leah, Clinton and Paddy for contributing her business development skills through the workshops. Leah Talbot thanked participants.
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Conference Day 1
Taking time out for some fun!The conference wasn’t all hard work!
Spear-throwing led by Tjapukai staff kept us active on both days of the conference. Our competitive spirit was alive and well, with the ‘finals’ on the second day dominated by the Pormpurraw rangers.
We also took part (mostly willingly!) in a surprise ‘zumba’ warm up on the morning of day #2. ‘Zumba’ means ‘to move fast and have fun’. Well, we did — rangers rocked those Zumba moves and worked up a sweat, a great way to start day #2!
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Getting comfortable with uncomfortable — the importance of health and wellbeing (Gary Lui)
Barry introduced Gary Lui from Umi Fitness.
Gary paid kudos to rangers and our motivation — getting up early and getting into our jobs. He invited us to think about getting out of our comfort zone and bringing that same level of motivation to our health and fitness. In order to make a healthy change, we need a purpose, a reason, a motivation. There are push and pull factors toward health and fitness. Pull factors, that comfortable sofa, Netflix, sugary food, can be a big problem.
Whyisfitnessimportant?Whyisitorisitnotimportanttoyou?
The name of Gary’s business, Umi, means ‘never give up’. He shared a bit of his own trajectory — family from Erub, a move to Mackay and then Brisbane to study law, and then marriage, work and children. He was not really worried about his health — and then the kai-kai caught up with him. His became unfit and overweight — this impacted on his relationships and his cultural responsibilities. He spoke about the replacement of traditional food with ‘traditional food’ (fried scones) as part of the colonisation process. He emphasised that we can’t out-train a bad diet — nutrition is key.
He was observing his Elders passing away and dealing with amputations. This pushed him to do three things — return to martial arts, qualify as a personal trainer (functional fitness) and become a cross-fit trainer.
Gary says to keep or become healthy and fit we need to find our own ‘why’? This may be to be here as long as we can,
to pass on knowledge about caring for country.
Our grandparents didn’t have the same challenges we have for fitness. The statistics on Indigenous versus non-Indige-nous health are not good — for example, in remote areas Indigenous men live 13.8 years less than non-Indigenous men. Our purpose might be for our job — to keep doing it, to benefit others at home and work.
He encouraged us to act now — our future is shaped by what we do now. Growth comes from stress — get out of our comfort zone regularly (get comfortable with the uncomfortable!). Build good habits first, then behaviours (e.g. reduce alcohol), build routine and structure in our life for fitness. It then becomes our lifestyle. This all leads to change. Gary invited us to use his website for a 30 days healthy challenge.
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How do we make time for our health and wellbeing? (Panel)Tiarne Saunders (QILSRP) introduced the panel — Mick Hale, Jimmy Richards, Sam and Dave Hunt (Zumba instructors) and Gary Lui.
Tiarne asked the panel, ‘Why is fitness and wellbeing im-portant? How do you get motivated?’
For Sam, she does Zumba every day, housework and walks everywhere. Dave cut back on sugar. Mick gets up early every day and walks up hills and to spots in and around Cooktown. Gary lifts weights, does the local walking tracks and exercises through his work. Jimmy is up early and walks and keeps active as much as he can.
‘How do you support rangers to prioritise their health?’
Jimmy sets an example and eats right. He has lots of water available at work. Mick said that Larissa got all of the
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rangers signed up at the gym and every Friday they go to the gym together. He also reminds everyone to drink lots of water, especially during fire work.
‘What happens when life gets busy?’
Gary said that is the most common excuse for not exercising — ‘I never have time’. He discusses daily routines with his clients, and usually there is at least half an hour available they can find. He says, ‘If you move you are always winning.’ Dave suggests, ‘Make the time. Walk don’t drive. You really don’t need to watch Neighbours’.
‘Are bush foods better?’
Gary said First Nations diets before colonisation were hugely different — fish, what you could grow — and in less than three generations it has been lost. The Act made it impossible to maintain our traditional diets. People on beche-de-mer boats were paid in flour, sugar and tea. We need to find a diet that is close to what our forebears ate. For Jimmy, eating seasonal food is good and he feels better when he gets it. Also to do traditional burns, you need to be fit, to be walking. He advises us to get back on country and get walking. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••Bush to Buffet training session (Bulmba Rangers, Nicole Huxley from Jumbun Limited Bushfood Venture)
Bulmba Rangers treated us to a special training session, Bush to Buffet, at the Bulmba ranger base in Kuranda. This session showcased Djabugay aspirations to create a bush food and resource garden to retain cultural practices and explore economic opportunities.
After the initial ‘Welcome to Country’ by Djabugay Directors, Errol Hunter and Rhonda Brim, Dennis Hunter gave an informative talk about local traditional bush foods.
Nicole Huxley from Jumbun Bushfood Venture discussed the journey that the Jumbun community has taken to identify and develop their own unique products using the local bush cherry. They have built a successful business enterprise producing jams, sauces and syrups from the fruit. They are also exploring partnerships to create new products and expand their business potential while maintaining control over the traditional knowledge and bushfood products. At the same time they are continuing their commitment to regenerative foraging and harvesting.
Nicole highlighted the need for ranger groups to support each other in finding unique bushfoods that we could use to develop products, and forming cooperative arrangements to build the bushfood industry from within communities. Nicole also provided a selection of bush cherry jams and sauces for tasting.
Husband and wife team Rhonda and Andy Duffin joined Rhonda Brim to talk to rangers about native plant use in their traditional dilly bag and basket weaving. We then enjoyed a delicious lunch based on local-sourced and native ingredients.
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Making the most of social media and taking good photos training session (Adam Frew, Andy Leach)
This training session was led by Adam Frew, Queensland Police Service and manager of Yarrie Yarns social change project, and Andy Leach, a Campaign Officer for the Country Needs People campaign.
Adam spoke around the question, ‘How does Yarrie Yarns use social media?’
He explained that Yarrie Yarns is a social media platform that tells the positive stories about Indigenous people, to make a change to seeing all the negative ones. It’s all about breaking down barriers and showing connections. Everyone has a story.
He said that for policing work, it also a way of getting to know your community. Adam recognises that policing has a dark history. Yarrie Yarns creates a positive mindset — sharing people’s stories.
Andy talked about, ‘How does the Country needs People campaign use social media?
Andy said that social media campaigns are a way of bringing Indigenous voices to the city, putting pressure on politicians for more ranger funding. He explained that when using social media, we need to know who we want to talk to and what our message is, just like for other forms of communication.
What do rangers need to know about using social media?
• We need permission from Traditional Owners when taking photos and posting on social media (show respect for country).• We need signed forms for permission/consent of
the person/people in your photos to use their image (make it clear how the photo will be used, e.g. social media, web sites, print, etc.)• If in doubt, don’t post the photo (some photos can be removed but it is very difficult).
What are tips on capturing stories, and using social media to share positive stories?
• know who you want to talk to• know what you want to say• be yourself• online is forever — be positive• It doesn’t have to be a lot — things that you share with friends, can be shared. Keep in mind who you are sharing with — your own community, but also more widely.• city folk like action outdoor shots (weed gear, etc.), animals• diversify content, share different themes, post frequently• ban people who make silly comments, hide their comments, don’t spend time on debate.
What’s in it for rangers?
• We can celebrate rangers as role models.• Posts can spark conversation about issues.• We can get more support for teams — financial, as well as emotional support.• Use positive stories to combat negative stories.• Demonstrate/prove the work that rangers are doing on country.• Report back to governance groups, government, Elders.• Personal stories about being a ranger are great (authentic).• We can inform and update people about events, news (e.g. country closed, etc.).
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What are tips for taking good photos with your phone? • Clean your lens!• Use the ‘rule of thirds’• Adjust your exposure, use even light• Zoom with your feet, walk in close
We then went outside to practise taking good photos with our phones. Heston Bally and Jordan Mooka took the win-ning photo.
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Yarning about country training session (Mark Sheppard)
Barry introduced Mark Sheppard, a performer involved in dance, theatre and stand-up comedy, who loves a good yarn. Mark spoke to rangers about improving skills in ‘yarning about country’. Lots of laughter was involved!
Mark gave us many tips for building confidence to speak up:
• Even though it’s difficult with people you are not familiar with, you need to get out of your comfort zone.• Play to your strengths, talk about what you know a lot about, use the knowledge you already have.• Feel ok with sharing what you know, don’t feel shame.• Decide when you’re speaking, ‘I’m going to treat this group of people like family or friends’, to create a safe space for yourself. • Look comfortable, project confidence, own your space, and be clear.• If you’re going on to a stage, decide where you’re going to stand.
• The more comfortable you feel, the easier you are to understand.• Talk about a topic you know well, if you don’t know it well, research it well until you know it well.
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• Understand what the audience needs to know and stick to that, don’t ramble.
• Tell a story, tell your story, with a beginning (back ground), a middle the key message, and end repeat key message and end with a punch line.• Be prepared, know what you want to talk about. Practice, practice, practice!• Take ownership of exactly who you are as strong Indigenous men and women.• Start with something unique, unique to you, tell that story.• It’s important to feel comfortable in the yarning space.
• Show your pride for your community and the work you do.• Know your topic and tell your story. Bama like to hear other Bama stories.• Practise improving your speaking skills at every opportunity you can, even introducing yourself to someone you don’t know and practise your story on them.
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• Convey your passion. Think about the message you want people to take home.• 80% of yourself and 20% is the character/ performance, let the 20% be the confidence as your act.
Mark’s key learnings about yarning about country are:
• It’s important for our mob to speak up and be confident.• We need to support each other and not pull ourselves down.• We are funny and we have a message and stories that people want to hear so tell it every chance you get.
Rangers then had the chance to put these ideas into action. Mark asked us to each prepare a short yarn about climate change — its impacts and what rangers can do. We spoke about a wide range of topics, from mangrove dieback and coral bleaching to shorter fire seasons and drying water-holes and rivers.
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Achieving your health and fitness goals training session (Gary Lui)
Gary explained that fitness is achievable for everyone. We have to make the most of what we have. He talked about tips for establishing health everyday habits.
Gary gave advice about goal setting:
• Ask yourself, ‘What stopped you previously? What were the reasons?’ Write them down.
• Write your goals down, instead of making statements such as ‘I want to be fit and toned’. Be specific and write down what it means to you and why it is important.• When you journal and write things down, it be comes real. Put your journal or notes somewhere where you can look at it again.
He talked about healthy eating habits:
• Consume low GI food (slow releasing energy foods).• Have a personal strategy, for example, intermediate fasting (12 hour fast for females, 16 hour fast for males). This will give you lots of energy, your liver a break and reset your hormones as well as many other benefits.
Gary provided us with tips to set up an exercise program that is right for each of us:
• Look at where you want to go with your health and fitness.• Research and investigate your energy in and energy out (energy in = calories consumed, energy out = calories burnt).• Go to Gary Lui’s site for 30 day challenge .
He also had advice on working out without ever going to a gym (or buying expensive gear). Gary demonstrated five exercises with resistance bands (available from Kmart) that we can do anywhere (no gym required). He then showed us how to roll out our muscles on a myofascial foam roller.
Gary’s key learnings about health and fitness:
• Get your friends and family involved — strength in numbers, it’s more motivating, it hardens the mindset and helps with momentum and lows.
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• When you are fit and healthy, who around you will benefit? Work colleagues? Friends? Family?• Stay HYDRATED — this is important when working out or working in humid conditions. Make sure you are getting electrolytes into the body, as well as water. Sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium are all electrolytes. You get them from the foods you eat and the fluids you drink. Richard Ross (from Olkola) mentioned that when he’s working and feels a cramp coming on, or feels dehydrated, he will put a bit of salt in the palm of his hand and lick it.
The session ended with a plank competition. Shay Cole from Gudjuda was the female ranger winner (3mins) and Mike Hale from Yuku Baja Muliku was the male ranger winner (5mins)! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Indigenous Tourism (George Bell) We enjoyed an awesome performance by the Tjapukai Dancers then took the opportunity to snap some selfies afterwards!
Ashleigh Bartley from Department of Innovation and Tourism Industry Development (DITID) was unable to attend and present this session; George Bell from Downunder Tours spoke in her place. George has worked in sales and marketing for the local market around Cairns for many years.
George presented the facts about Indigenous tourism and some tips for getting involved in the tourism industry.
• Tourism accounts for 10% of Australia’s total export.
• If you can combine culture and the language of business, you will be able to grow a tourism business. • Indigenous culture is a key point of difference. Tourists want to experience Australian Aboriginal culture.
The numbers of tourists accessing Indigenous tourism products has grown by 9% each year since 2013. Last year (2019), 963,000 tourists experienced Indigenous tourism. Asian tourists have been the major drivers of this tourism.
• What makes a good product? A good product has a sense of connection; hands-on, exclusive experiences; convenience (easy to book with no hassle and half day experiences are ideal); high quality experience (‘wow’ factor); and an acceptable price point (good value for money). • What will help your product sell? Commissions (if you don’t offer appropriate commission, agents won’t sell your product); consistency (your days/times can’t change); it must stand out from others (be unique); it needs to provide visual marketing that creates an emotional attachment to your place (short, impactful videos are better than text-heavy promotions and brochures); and you should understand your market and seasonality.• Tourism and rangers — there is a real opportunity here. • There is growth in wellness and wellbeing travel. People want to access wellbeing touring — walking, being present in the rainforest, etc. That is a younger demographic that is growing. We live in a destination that the world needs – where people come to disconnect from technology. • 65% of travellers still book once they get some where, not beforehand.
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George’s top tip: If you don’t have the resources/assets to start something up, find who does have those resources and partner with them. Develop strong relationships with partners.
Rangers were then asked to think about our ideal tourism product and to create a marketing poster to attract tourists to our experience. This required us to think about what is unique/special about our tourism product, why tourists want/need it and how best we can present it to them (‘pictures speak a thousand words!’).
This session was supported by Tjapukai Cultural Park and the Year of Indigenous Tourism.
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Wrapping upBarry summarised our learnings over the last two days and thanked the different speakers for their contributions.
He also thanked the rangers for our participation and input. Barry felt that we collectively took the conference to a whole new level this year and hoped that we can implement some of these learnings back on country in our communities.
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Barry thanked everyone for their great feedback in the mentimeter exercise. He also gave big thanks to the Tjapukai Cultural Centre staff, the Bulmba rangers, and the Djabugay board, Chair William Duffin, and CEO Nick Mills, and acknowledged the Yirrganydji rangers’ work in hosting the previous conference.
Emcee Mark Sheppard introduced himself and opened the evening.
The Hon. Leeanne Enoch (Qld Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts), addressed the conference, acknowledging the Traditional Owners the Djabugay people and the Yirrganydji people. She also acknowledged the important work of the Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers.
She said that culture heals everything and in a changing climate, the role of rangers is increasingly important to care for country. She said that the title of the workshop ‘More than a ranger!’ was apt. As First Nations people, there is always an expectation that you are more than your job.
You carry the responsibility in and out of uniform. The Land and Sea Rangers are a great and important partnership for the Queensland Government. She said that it was her hope
to have Queensland Government support more rangers in the future.
Mark kept us all laughing throughout the evening, and Tjapukai staff provided a fabulous buffet dinner. Years of Service awards and Conference awards (see next page) were presented to rangers during the proceedings.
The evening finished with a handover of the conference ‘ba-ton’ to Phil Rist, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, to co-host in 2021. Phil thanked Barry and Djabugay Aboriginal Corporations and said it would be a hard act to follow. He thanked all of the rangers, acknowledging us all as ‘legends’.
Ranger awardsYears of service awardsDuring the conference dinner, David Wildermuth, Manager, QILSRP, assisted Minister Enoch to present ‘Years of Ser-vice’ awards to long-serving rangers who had reached their 5 and 10 years of service. Congratulations to all!
5-year serviceDawul Wuru — Tarquin Singleton Melsonby — Ray McIvor; Virginia Burns; Bulla McIvorGirringun — Chris Muriata (new Ranger Coordinator); Neil Leo (previous Ranger Coordinator, now with QPWS Marine Parks)Yuku Baja Muliku — Irene Bowyer; Adam SaundersMapoon — Jocelyn De jerseyGudjuda — Ben Devow
10-year serviceEwamian — Sharon Prior (General Manager, Ewamian)Laura — Sue Marsh (Ranger Coordinators since start of the program); Ted LeesGirringun —Cindy Lou Togo; Evelyn IveyYuku Baja — Stephen Kulka
Conference Dinner
Conference awardsThis year also saw the introduction of ‘Conference awards’, a Djabugay initiative that is bound to become tradition! Dennis Hunter, Djabugay Cultural Development Officer, assisted Mark Sheppard to present the following awards for outstanding efforts during the conference:
• Bush to Buffet — Logie award winner for the Bush to Buffet: Ma: minya djada nganydja guri
* Correy Currie (for awesome jam tasting ability)• Yarning about country — The best storyteller award,
since the beginning of time: Bulurru buwal-barra * Vince Harrigan (what can we say; Vince can be convincing!)• Social media — The deadliest photo and glamorous
award: Malaway Gurilanggan Bama * Haston Bally and Jordan Mooka (for their winning photo of ranger in brushcutting gear!)• Fitness and wellbeing — Themuscliestandthefittest
in the choppy awards: Mundu guri: dagil-ndu * Mick Hale (for a gutsy 5-minute plank!)• Zumba — The deadly dancer award: Milba warrma guri: * Damon (Miri) Anderson (for some impressive moves!)• Tourism poster — Best tourism marketing poster:
Nyurramba bama guri: * Mapoon Rangers (a compelling story about coun try told in pictures)• Spear thrower — Best spear thrower of the year: Milba
guri: galga daba-dabang * Kiren Tarpencha (accuracy and persistence won the day!)
Conference Dinner
‘Haston and Jordan’s ‘deadliest photo’
Award winnner’s
Mossman Gorge CentreA group of around 24 rangers headed north to Mossman for the day to experience Indigenous tourism, Mossman-style. Mossman Gorge Centre’s expert tour guide, Harold (aka) ‘Mooks’ Tayley, led our cultural tour through Mossman Gorge, talking about and showing traditional bush foods, medicine and useful plants and animals of the Daintree rainforest. Mooks also demonstrated and discussed methods for engaging with tourists, and the elements of a successful tour. Rangers asked questions and were particularly interested in Mooks’ significant knowledge, tools and experiences of the tourist trade.
We headed back to the Mossman Training Centre where training manager, Deb Simpson and Jabalbina Ranger Manager, Patrick Minniecon talked about the Mossman Gorge trainee program. We learnt how trainees are chosen, mentored and coached; and the main components of a successful traineeship. Rangers found this session especially relevant and asked questions relating to how we run our own trainee programs and how we could improve them by using some of the techniques implemented at Mossman Gorge.
Finally, we walked to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife (QPWS) base at Mossman and heard from Indigenous rangers led by Colt Pitt about their journeys to becoming rangers. They also discussed the type of work they do in Mossman Gorge, Daintree National Park.
Skyrail and Scenic Rail to KurandaAnother group of around 47 rangers were guided by the Bulmba Ranger team to Kuranda for the day to experience different aspects of tourism in this popular tourism destination.
We braved the rain and hopped aboard gondolas on Skyrail to head ‘up the hill’ to Kuranda, crossing Barron Gorge. At Barron Falls lookout, Dennis Hunter presented Djabugay cultural stories about the gorge and falls, before we continued onto Kuranda village.
Here, we enjoyed free time to explore the markets and ate lunch before participating in a guided cultural tour of Jumrum Creek, led by Errol Hunter. Rangers discovered a small rainforested creek and learnt about Djabugay’s tradi-tional plant uses and other cultural stories from Errol.
We then enjoyed the historic Scenic Rail back down through the gorge to Freshwater Station. The field trip was very well facilitated by the Bulmba Ranger team, and rangers enjoyed the chance to relax and socialise after the conference.
Field Trips Day #3
Key Take AwaysWhat we learntWe are so much ‘more than a ranger!’ We have many different roles, all day, every day; we are leaders who can inspire and take our mob to the next level.
Rangers’ roles in community are incredibly varied; and we face new challenges and opportunities from a changing environment, advances in technology and broader commu-nity recognition of the role of traditional land managers.
In Indigenous-led research, rangers are leaders, prob-lem-solvers, collaborators and protectors of lore; the re-search methodology is collaborative and our communities benefit from the research.
Commercial business opportunities and social enterprises are the way of the future for Aboriginal land managers, from fee-for-service for land management to building social enterprises based on Indigenous cultural knowledge.
Women rangers empower and inspire each other, we put our hands up, put ourselves forward and speak for country, we stand as one with men rangers taking care of our country.
Healthy country relies on healthy people, we need to look after our own health, fitness and nutrition. Our future starts now, with good habits first, then behaviours and routines, resulting in healthy lifestyles.
Tourism + rangers = real opportunities for Indigenous tourism. Natural environments and Indigenous culture are what tourists need and want. Strong relationships with partners are key to tourism success.
What we said• Deadly couple of days, meeting and sharing our stories and work• Would like to see conferences held out on country!• Too deadly, one big ranger family• Deadly time, deadly and powerful mob, enjoyed every minute of it ***** (5 star)• First time at the conference, enjoyed the 3 days (and leadership day on Monday)• Short strong comment – make it less talking, more hands-on job• I reckon it was deadly and should be more of them, down south as well• More hands-on activities, on-country talks, competitions (like spear and boomerang throwing)• I like to see more of these conferences held out on country, have turn at each ranger group country…
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Conference photosYou can access all the photos from the conference at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/g6q6c8mkq735vih/AADmD-WkRCFyyzLE62MxguODa?dl=0.
Download the ones you want to keep or use! (If publishing, please credit Queensland Government).
Further informationIndigenous Land and Sea Ranger ProgramE: [email protected]: www.qld.gov.au/landsearangers
Djabugay Aboriginal CorporationsE: [email protected]: www.djabugay.org.au
