5 July, 2025
Forget Superman, Think Girl Power Rangers! That’s the empowering message after the inaugural week-long Aboriginal Ranger Gathering held at Trelawney Station, Somerton, near Tamworth last month.
Female Rangers from throughout the Land Rights Network were inspired by the Commonwealth Minister for Indigenous Peoples, the Hon. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, who visited on the Tuesday and met many of the Rangers.
“Last year we announced more than 1,000 new Indigenous Ranger jobs,’’ Senator McCarthy told the audience. “It was the first time in more than a decade that new Ranger groups were able to apply to join the Commonwealth Indigenous Rangers Program.
“115 projects received funding in that first round expansion, including 21 in New South Wales. I was especially pleased to see that First Nations women will take up the vast majority of the new roles. I want to see more of our women involved in Ranger groups.
“Of those 1,000 new roles, 770 positions are for women. Women Rangers play an important role in ensuring the protection of sacred women’s sites and the preservation of important cultural knowledge and practices,’’ the Senator said.
One group playing such an important role are the Warruwi Dhuurran Rangers, based at Walhallow LALC, pictured below, who were looking forward to a range of activities during the week.
“Ranger positions were funded in the (expansion) round and it was all women, so it really is girl power!’’ the excited Warruwi Dhuurran Rangers told NSWALC. “We are looking forward to meeting new people at the Ranger Gathering and learning from them; and blending cultural knowledge with modern conservation practices,’’ Ranger Michelle Saunders added.
Also protecting and managing Country were female Rangers, pictured below, from Darrunda Wajaarr Bush Regeneration (Coffs Harbour LALC), Gamay Rangers (La Perouse LALC), Merrimans LALC, Banbai Rangers (Guyra LALC), and Bunyah LALC to name a few!
Rangers attached to Red Chief LALC, Coonabarabran LALC, Nambucca Heads LALC, Walgett LALC, Eden LALC, Batemans Bay LALC, Bega LALC, and Brungle/Tumut LALC also attended the Gathering, which also included Warddeken Land Management from the Northern Territory, and the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor from Canberra.
Terri Whitton, the Operations Manager at Walaaybaa Rangers based out of Tamworth LALC, which hosted the event, spoke at the Opening Ceremony.
“It was amazing to drive Senator McCarthy around Trelawney Station and show her first hand what we are achieving. The Walaaybaa Rangers offer a whole range of services and it was great to share our vision and dreams for the future where Ancient Practice mixes with the best practice science and technology.
Friendships and connections made during the week will create future opportunities across NSW.
“Even seasoned rangers – those who have been in the role for 10 to 15 years – learned something new,” Terri said.
It was an amazingly positive and respectful environment created by Walaaybaa Rangers, and Tamworth LALC where sharing and bonding was easy and Uncle Roger Knox added to the welcoming atmosphere.
Perhaps Senator McCarthy summed it up best in her speech:
“Because you are, in my view, so pivotal to keeping our people together and keeping our people strong in amidst the winds, the cyclones of public discourse, often negative commentary about us, racist commentary, hurtful commentary.
“Anything that keeps us down, it is the Ranger groups who lift us up.
“And that’s a big responsibility on you.
“But it’s more than a responsibility, you are the guardians for our people, for keeping our spirit strong and good and kind and compassionate and loving.”
