Marra and Yanyuwa Sea Rangers wrap up 2024 with a bang
Parks and Wildlife collaborates with ranger groups like li-Anthawirriyarra Sea Rangers and Marranbala Sea Rangers in NT, presenting innovative sea country management efforts at TNRM, with Shaun Evans winning Ranger of the Year.
Parks and Wildlife works collaboratively with a number of ranger groups, in particular, li-Anthawirriyarra Sea Ranger Unit within Mabunji Aboriginal Resource Indigenous Corporation, and Namultja Aboriginal Corporation, who are establishing the Marranbala Sea Rangers from the Gulf of Carpentaria NT. Both organisations presented jointly at the TNRM conference alongside project partners from the Northern Institute at Charles Darwin University and Parks Australia, highlighting the excellent collaborative work being undertaken in both Marra and Yanyuwa country. They presented two papers; ‘Traditional owner-led planning for Yanyuwa and Marra Sea Country’, and ‘Managing Country - Collaborating across disciplines and jurisdictions.’ Both presentations were very well received by the audience, in particular the other ranger groups present, and they were acknowledged for their collaborative efforts.
David Barrett, chairperson of Namultja Aboriginal Corporation, and Liam Golding, CEO, also presented a poster on the collaborative work with Parks and Wildlife NT, Parks Australia, Northern Institute, the li-Anthawirriyarra Sea Ranger Unit, and James Cook and Flinders Universities. The poster highlighted some recent achievements made possible through the partnership as well as the breadth of work that can be achieved when working together as one. They had some copies of the Marranbala Land and Sea Country Plan on hand to share with interested parties, about the strategic goals and aspiration of the Marra people to look after Country.
Fiona Keighran, li-Anthawirriyarra Sea Ranger Unit Coordinator also gave a presentation at the Water Country Workshop, which showcased work being undertaken by ranger groups throughout the NT focusing on water, from terrestrial to coastal examples. She spoke about the turtle monitoring that the Sea Ranger Unit coordinates annually as well as the potential to use the turtle camp as a tourist venture, bringing additional resources into the organisation.
A final highlight of the week was the awards night. Li-Anthawirriyarra Senior Sea Ranger and Cultural Liaison Officer, Shaun Evans, was recognised for his excellent work over the last year, advocating for both Marra and Yanyuwa Sea Country. Shaun received the TNRM Ranger of the Year award in honour of his hard work and was also interviewed on ABC Country Hour about his nomination and the work he has been involved with.
All in all, a very successful week for both li-Anthawirriyarra Rangers and Namultja Aboriginal Corporation and all their project partners. What a great wrap up to 2024, and we are excited to see what 2025 may bring.
