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Wirrawandi Aboriginal Corporation Ranger Program Survey

1.Program Background

The Marduthhuni Ranger program is managed by Wirrawandi Aboriginal Corporation and will operate to proactively manage the Yaburara & Mardudhunera native title determination area east of Karratha. The land includes Karratha, Yalleen, Yarraloola and Mardie Pastoral Stations and the 40-Mile Beach recreational and camping areas near Cape Preston.

Marduthhuni Rangers will lead members in caring for their country to keep it healthy and support the elders in the transfer of cultural knowledge to members and more importantly Yaburara & Mardudhunera youth. Young people will learn from Elders and Rangers in how to care for country in the traditional and modern ways to ensure that traditional culture is learnt and retained.

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2.Environment

Marduthhuni Rangers will monitor the natural environment on country, including the flora and fauna. They will ensure that Industry is complying with formal environmental plans and in the future undertake Industry environmental monitoring contracts for WAC. Rangers as required, will undertake ad-hoc environmental monitoring projects that may become available for Industry, University or Department Parks and Wildlife.

Do you see this is an essential role for the Marduthhuni Rangers?
3.Weed Management

Marduthhuni Rangers will play a vital role in monitoring and removal of all invasive weed and the revegetation of the land on country. There are multiple varieties of weeds covering 1000’s of hectares of very rich patrol land on YM country. The Marduthhuni Rangers will also collect seeds from bush tucker and medicine plants and propagate in a nursery system and then re-introduce on country.

Do you see this as an essential role for the Marduthhuni Rangers?
4.Natural Waterways and Waterholes

Waterways and waterholes are key sites throughout YM country. A major part of Marduthhuni Rangers work is to locate, identify and look after waterways and waterholes, many of which have enormous cultural significance. Water quality is to be monitored, the damage that livestock are having on the waterways will also be monitored and once understood Rangers will work to, to intensively protect key sites and vulnerable waterways.

Do you see this as an essential role for the Marduthhuni Rangers?
5.Feral Animals

Feral animals may include wild cattle, pigs, wild dogs, cats and foxes, these feral animals can have major impacts to YM country and potentially damage the natural environment. Rangers will undertake monitoring of all feral animal species, ascertain the damages and impacts they may be having on YM country, implement trapping programs for the removal and eradication of these problem animals.

Do you see this as an essential role for the Marduthhuni Rangers?
6.40-Mile Camping Area/Tourism

Marduthhuni Rangers will be active in the 40-mile camping area, undertaking a learning process alongside the City of Karratha employees to enable WAC to develop capability to effectively undertake the management of the camp site in its entirety by 2025/2026.

The Marduthhuni Rangers will install signs with the correct YM names at many of the camp site locations as well at other significant sites on the country. Once established Rangers and Yaburara & Mardudhunera Elders will share their stories about their cultural and historical importance with the WAC youth rangers and tourists.

Do you see this is an essential role for the Marduthhuni Rangers?
7. Marduthhuni Rangers Training

Training is an essential part of the Marduthhuni Rangers program, Training will include Certificate II and III in Conservation and Ecosystems, four-wheel driver training, first aid, Cultural burning and introduction of firefighting, Horticultural propagation, Applying Chemicals, and the use of digital aides plus many other units as the ranger team evolves.

Do you see this is an essential role for the Marduthhuni Rangers?
8.Cultural Awareness

Rangers will assist and support the delivery of Industry across cultural awareness programs and provide for on country cultural programs.

Do you see this as an essential role for the Marduthhuni Rangers?
9.Cultural Capture Program

Rangers will assist and support the consultation and coordination regarding meetings with members and Elders on country to capture stories and information to inform the cultural capture program.

Do you see this as an essential role for the Marduthhuni Rangers?
10.Junior Ranger Program

To support the development the YM youth, and the transfer of cultural and environmental knowledge and experience, a Junior Ranger Program supported by the Rangers will be developed.

The Marduthhuni Rangers will play a major part in the development and delivery of this program, accompanied by the knowledge and experience of the YM Elders and teachers. The program will allow the youth, teachers, rangers and elders to undertake activities together on country that can be linked directly back to their education.

The program has been very successful in other corporations, with students learning about land management work and being encouraged to maintain their school attendance. WAC is looking to merge learning opportunities through the Karratha Senior Highschool and its Shooting Stars and Clontarf programs.

Do you see this is an essential role for the Marduthhuni Rangers?
11.If there is any additional training or information relating to tasks you would like to see the Marduthhuni Rangers team potentially provide, please leave a comment below.
Kind regards

Your Marduthhuni Rangers Team