Farewell to a ranger and bushfires extraordinaire!
A bittersweet moment was felt by many in the department last week, as we bid farewell to a cherished colleague who has been an integral part of the team for many years.
As we say goodbye, we also send our best wishes to Natalie Chester and we reflect on the contribution she has made to the department over 13 years of service.
Natalie joined the department in 2010 as a T1 ranger in Nitmiluk National Park and brought with her a spirit of enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence that quickly set her apart and turned her 3-month contract into a much longer stint! For the self-described tomboy from Adelaide, this initial role was a dream come true.
Her work ethic and influence quickly saw her progress in the department, and over the years she has taken on ranger roles in Nitmiluk and Litchfield National Parks and with the Darwin crocodile management team, before becoming a Senior Planner and most recently, Senior Risk Planner with Bushfires NT.
Natalie’s time with the department has been characterised by not only exemplary work but also by the warmth and camaraderie she brought with her. It's not just the work she did (there was plenty of it!), but the way she did it—with a smile, a helping hand, and an unwavering dedication to the success of the team.
While we are sad to see Natalie go, we also recognise that this farewell is not an end but a new beginning. As she embarks on the next chapter of her professional journey, as Operations Manager with Warddeken Land Management out in Arnhem Land, we wish her every success and fulfillment. We know Natalie’s passion for being in the field and on the ground whether it’s spraying weeds, mapping or on the fire front and we hope you have the chance to spend plenty of time back in the bush in your next role!
Natalie, your presence will be sorely missed by many rangers and firies and others in between, but your legacy will endure in the bonds of friendship and the impact you've made on the teams you’ve worked with. We all thank you for your kindness, professionalism, and unwavering spirit, and send you off with our very best wishes!
