Narrandera Local Land Services (LLS) has appointed four new trainees and a team supervisor as part of the New South Wales Government’s Aboriginal Ranger Program.

The $5.95 million program has recruited 22 new Aboriginal staff, including 16 trainee rangers – four each at Narrandera, Tamworth, Coonabarabran and Deniliquin.

LLS Business Partner Aboriginal Cultural Engagement Graham Kelly was pleased to have the trainees on board.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our new recruits to gain experience and exposure through our land services and biosecurity teams,” Mr Kelly said.

“I’m really looking forward to watching our trainees develop over the course of the program and I’m sure they’ll be a valuable asset to their local communities, landholders and stakeholders.

“Our aim is to get the trainees exposure and training to all the work and learning aspects with LLS.

“They will get various qualifications and will work on cultural site identification, fire training and working on Travelling Stock Routes.

“They’ll also gain knowledge in pest animal control.”

Mr Kelly said the trainees would undertake a Certificate 3 in Conservation and Ecosystem Management.

“It’s about getting employment and it’s hoped that at least 50 per cent of the trainees will become permanent with LLS,” Mr Kelly said.

“The program came from an aspiration within our Aboriginal Engagement Strategy.

“It creates an opportunity in places where often, there is no opportunity.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for all involved and it’s exciting to see where it can go.”

One of Narrandera’s new trainee Aboriginal Rangers, Kaneesha Williams, is particularly interested in certain aspects of the work she will face as a trainee.

“The most exciting part for me is caring for Country and it’ll be good to go and work out on Country and enjoy that,” she said.

“My family motto has always been, care for the land and rivers and the land and rivers will care for you.

“Another big part for me is identifying scarred (significant) trees and documenting them.

“Sometimes these trees have had timber carved out to use as canoes, shields, coolamons for carrying water – the trees could be 300 or 400 hundred years old.

“It connects you back to your culture.”

Riverina Local Land Services general manager Ray Willis said the new recruits would significantly boost the LLS staff.

“The new trainees have basically doubled our staff,” Mr Willis said.

“It’s all about education.

“The trainees will educate us on cultural ways.”

Another new ranger, Malek Lyons, a diehard Lizards’ fan, said the traineeship was a great career opportunity.

“It’s pretty big for me and my family and it’s in my home town,” Mr Lyons said.

“I’m really looking forward to it.

“It also opens doors for the local youth.”

Another of the new recruits, the trainees’ supervisor Lee Reavley, is keen to take the team under her wing.

“Part of my job is to guide and support the trainees and make work plans,” Mrs Reavley said.

“Their work could involve cultural sites, identifying significant trees, areas that need maintenance and fencing lines.

“The work gives them different skills.

“The Certificate in Conservation and Land Management is a good stepping stone and it opens the world up to them for different types of work.”

Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Dugald Saunders congratulated the new recruits from all four centres.

”This program is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to advance the aspirations of Aboriginal people, culture and communities by championing opportunities that offer experience, development and a career pathway,” Mr Saunders said.

”The trainee rangers are ready to undertake important work on the ground, including assisting landholders with biosecurity matters, livestock health, weed management, native vegetation and managing travel stock routes.”

Trainees will receive culturally safe training, mentoring and support across all areas of LLS business including conservation and ecosystem management, animal pest control and Aboriginal site identification.

Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Dugald Saunders congratulated the new recruits.

“This program is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to advance the aspirations of Aboriginal people, culture and communities, by championing opportunities that offer experience, development and a career pathway,” Mr Saunders said.

“The trainee rangers are ready to undertake impor-tant work on the ground, including assisting landholders with biosecurity matters, livestock health, weed management, native vegetation and managing travel stock routes.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said the program ensures sustainable jobs for Aboriginal Australians by caring for country on country.

The Aboriginal Rangers Program recognises that country and culture are intrinsically connected to Aboriginal communities and I look forward to the positive outcomes this important program will deliver,” Mr Franklin said.

Trainees will receive culturally safe training, mentoring and support across all areas of the Local Land Services business including conservation and ecosystem management, animal pest control, Aboriginal site identification and more.

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 28 July 2022.