The Queensland Ranger Association’s

Oceania Strategy 2018– 2019

The Queensland Ranger Association (QRA) Oceania

strategy has been established to encourage Queens-

land rangers to assist other Oceania ranger associa-

tions and help each other work towards fulfilling their

individual association’s mission statements

effectively.

Ultimately this will ensure future development and

protection for Oceania rangers and the natural places

they protect or manage.

Mission

QUEENSLAND RANGER ASSOCIATION’S (QRA) MISSION STATEMENT

The QRA is a professional body that represents the staff who manage Queens-

land’s protected areas. With the motto ‘rangers helping rangers’ the QRA moni-

tors, protects and enhances the working conditions of Queensland rangers, as

well as help rangers (nationally and internationally) develop their skills, wis-

dom and resilience needed to thrive in their chosen careers.

The QRA/Oceania strategy provides a valuable net-

work that enables rangers to stay in touch, share

their experiences, develop stronger working relation-

ships and support each other in managing challenges

faced daily in this profession.

The QRA commits itself to rangers helping rangers,

and for over 20 years , QRA members have worked

together strongly to ensure Queensland rangers can

operate effectively and efficiently protecting, con-

serving and, where possible, restore our protected

area’s biodiversity and the continued existence of its

wilderness for the benefit of present and future gen-

erations.

For the last 20 years, Queensland rangers have also

connected with other international rangers, sharing

their experiences and knowledge, and even providing

training or ranger exchange initiatives. It has been the

last 5 years that the QRA has concentrated on

strengthening partnerships with other Australian and

Oceania associations, especially those less fortunate.

Oceania countries such as Fiji, Solomon Islands, New

Zealand, Papau New Guinea and New Caladonia have

recognised that natural resource challenges are simp-

ly too great for any one organisation to face alone

and have either reached out to Australian rangers for

their assistance, expertise and learnings, to achieve

their objectives.

Vision Statement

Together Oceania rangers will benefit from developing strategic plans to share, network

and exchange their skills, knowledge and expertise. Through ranger exchange programs,

organised training and awareness programs both parties members will strengthen their

professional and personal skills enabling them to carry out their varied roles as conserva-

tion managers in their constantly-changing work environments more effectively.

FIJIAN ISLANDS RANGER ASSOCIATION (FIRA)

While on a family holiday during June/July school hol-

idays 2012, the QRA connected with Fijian rangers,

and with funding raised beforehand, presented them

with equipment and uniform donations.

Three years later, the QRA assisted the Fijian Rangers

through the formal process of establishing the Fijian

Island Ranger Association (FIRA). They were officially

inducted into the International Ranger Federation

during the 2017 World Rangers Congress in Colorado.

SOLOMON ISLAND RANGER ASSOCIATION (SIRA)

With only one Marine Park declared in 2017, and no

official government agency or department dedicated

to protecting the environment, SIRA was developed

in 2014, with assistance from the QRA, to bring com-

munity, NGO and other rangers together into one

unified ranger association.

Since then, the QRA has endeavoured to deliver on

their commitment to partner with SIRA and share

their knowledge and skills with Solomon Island rang-

ers through ranger exchange and training initiatives.

During 2017, saw the QRA further connect with SIRA

members and show their commitment to this rela-

tionship by officially signing an International Ranger

Federation (IRF) twinning agreement—a first for the

Oceania region.

Today’s Situation

The QRA have assisted Oceania rangers since 2012 when they connected with Fiji and, in

2014, the Solomon Island rangers. The QRA have supplied uniforms and equipment needed,

along with guidance through the formal process of developing their ranger associations

and joining the International Ranger Federation family.

New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia have also reached out in more recent

years seeking assistance or initiating ranger exchange opportunities.

Goal and Strategies

The overall goal of the QRA/Oceania strategy is to provide an avenue for QRA

and Oceania members to connect, share their experiences, develop stronger

working relationships and support each other in managing challenges faced

daily in this profession.

Through this interaction, all QRA members should be proud of their support

helping developing nations and will be given opportunities to participate and

potentially further develop themselves personally and professionally.

GOAL 1

To build strong mutually beneficial relationships be-

tween QRA and Oceania rangers.

GOAL 2

To assist rangers from other Oceania countries, espe-

cially those less developed, to improve the environ-

mental, financial and environment management ca-

pacity within their countries and their communities.

GOAL 3

To provide personal and professional development

opportunities for QRA rangers.

GOAL 4

Ensure QRA members understand and be proud of

their support for developing nations.

Strategic Directions

GOAL STRATEGY ACTION

To build strong mutually

beneficial relationships

between QRA and Oce-

ania rangers.

Facilitate interactions and

provide initiatives where

QRA and Oceania rangers

will benefit mutually.

Showcase the success of

the QRA/SIRA twinning

agreement and network

with international ranger

associations broadening

knowledge and skillset to

become influential con-

servation leaders.

ACTION 1

Develop and encourage mentoring opportunities,

and professional and personal development through

ranger exchanges or project management between

QRA and Oceania rangers.

1.1. QRA members apply through the QRA Ranger

Development Fund for financial or other support de-

veloping exchange programs or projects with other

Oceania rangers.

1.2. QRA executive obtain permission for successful

QRA members to be granted Special Leave for the

duration of such initiatives.

ACTION 2

Co-write and co-present with SIRA members on the

success of the QRA/SIRA twinning agreement to oth-

er International ranger associations , ie: World Rang-

ers Congress 2019.

2.1. Seek funding for representatives from QRA and

SIRA to attend WRC 2019.

2.2. QRA executive obtain permission for successful

QRA members to be granted Special Leave for the

duration of such initiatives.

2.3. Conduct EOI process to select suitable QRA rang-

ers.

2.4. Organise logistics.

Strategic Directions

GOAL STRATEGY ACTION

To assist rangers from

other Oceania countries,

especially those less de-

veloped, to improve the

environmental, financial

and environment man-

agement capacity within

their countries and their

communities.

Provide training, educa-

tion and equipment to

rangers of undeveloped

countries.

ACTION 1

Encourage QRA members to develop, or be involved

with initiatives between QRA and Oceania rangers,

improving the skillset of each.

1.1. QRA members need to develop Project Brief’s for

any proposed initiative and seek support from the

QRA executive.

1.2. If financial or other support is required for any

proposed initiative, then QRA members are to submit

an Expression of Interest and funding application

through the Ranger Development Funding Scheme.

ACTION 2

As part of QRA’s commitment to the QRA/SIRA twin-

ning arrangement, develop a ‘Travelling Ranger

Training’ initiative between QRA and SIRA rangers to

improve environment, legislative and financial man-

agement capacity in SIRA rangers.

2.1. Develop Project Brief detailing, itinerary and

budget for proposed Travelling Ranger Training initia-

tive, and obtain support from the QRA executive to

progress forward.

2.2. Submit funding application through The Thin

Green Line Foundation for partial financial support.

2.3. Explore Crowdfunding options for financial sup-

port.

Strategic Directions

GOAL STRATEGY ACTION

Promote professionalism

pride, safety and integrity

by wearing a ranger un-

form and using appropri-

ate equipment.

2.3. Initiate a meeting between QPWS and QRA exec-

utive’s to communicate the strategic directions and

support required of the QRA/Oceania strategy and

the QRA/SIRA twinning arrangement.

2.4. Conduct EOI process to select suitable QRA rang-

ers.

2.5. Organise logistics.

2.6. Conduct Travelling Ranger Training initiative in

August/September 2018.

ACTION 3

Obtain uniforms and equipment needed to enable

rangers from developing countries to undertake their

job efficiently and safely.

3.1. Seek QPWS executive permission to send old,

unused QPWS uniforms and equipment to other Oce-

ania countries needing uniforms, including the Solo-

mon Islands.

Strategic Directions

GOAL STRATEGY ACTION

To provide personal and

professional develop-

ment opportunities for

QRA rangers.

Facilitate personal and

professional develop-

ment opportunities for

QRA rangers to either

initiate or be involved.

ACTION 1

Invite QRA members to develop, or be involved with,

personal and professional development opportuni-

ties available through the QRA Oceania strategy.

1.1. QRA members need to develop Project Brief’s for

any proposed initiative and seek support from the

QRA executive.

1.2. If financial or other support is required for any

proposed initiative, then QRA members are to submit

an Expression of Interest and funding application

through the Ranger Development Funding Scheme.

Strategic Directions

GOAL STRATEGY ACTION

Ensure QRA members

understand and be proud

of their support for de-

veloping nations.

Communicate with all

QRA members and other

ranger associations of

QRA’s support helping

developing nations.

ACTION 1

Raise awareness of achievements to other members,

via presentations, sharing on social media or in re-

ports, publications and articles.

ACTION 2

Present QRA achievements at National and Interna-

tional meetings.

2.1. Develop a Project Brief for QRA’s attendance at

CARA 2018 and WRC 2019 with costings.

2.2. Apply to QRA executive for funding and leave

approvals.

2.3. Advertise an Expression of Interest (CARA 2018—

July, WRC 2019—September ) to all QRA members

for interested delegates . Select appropriate candi-

dates and determine appropriate sponsorship.

2.4. QRA members attend CARA 2018 in Tasmania in

September and present on the QRA/Oceania strategy

and the QRA/SIRA twinning agreement.

2.5. QRA members attend WRC 2019 in May(?) in

Nepal and co-present with SIRA representatives on

the success of the QRA/SIRA twinning agreement.