Woppaburra – Develop a Traditional Land and Sea Country Ranger Program
Woppaburra Peoples identified that connection to Woppaburra Country (the Keppel Islands and sea Country) and to each other as Woppaburra Peoples is the custodianship value of greatest significance and priority.
Proposed strategy:
- Develop a Traditional Land and Sea Country Ranger program
Result from reduction of identified threat:
A key threat to Woppaburra Country is that Woppaburra cultural values are not always understood and respected by people living at and visiting the Keppel Islands and reefs.
The proposed strategy promotes increased respect for Woppaburra Country and Woppaburra Peoples through the establishment of a Traditional Land and Sea Ranger Program. The program will increase:
- Public understanding of the roles and responsibilities of Woppaburra Elders;
- Respect for Woppaburra cultural and engagement protocols;
- Woppaburra presence on Country and;
- Public education of Woppaburra cultural values.
The project plan identifies a staged approach guiding the establishment of a ranger training program with integral involvement from Woppaburra Elders and key learnings shared from established ranger programs in Queensland. Training of Woppaburra People and the implementation of the ranger program coincides with the delivery of a range of educational approaches to increase non-Indigenous and public understanding and respect of Woppaburra cultural values.
Interested in this project and want to learn more?
Chairperson: Dr. Sonny Van Issum – Woppaburra TUMRA Aboriginal Corporation
Contact person: Shelly McArdle (Woppaburra TUMRA Coordinator) tumracoordinator@woppaburra.com.au
Funded by ILSRP Qld. (4 Rangers funded to commence 2024 year)
The Capricorn Coast Reef Community Action Plan project is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation with support from Capricornia Catchments and Fitzroy Basin Association.
