National Indigenous Australians Agency funds SAC Female Ranger Team

MEDIA RELEASE: Growing Regions Program Investment in Noongar Language and Culture welcomed by Southern Aboriginal Corporation

Southern Aboriginal Corporation (SAC) has today welcomed the announcement that the Federal Government, via the National Indigenous Australians Agency, will invest $3 million in SAC’s existing Aboriginal Rangers Program, to establish a dedicated Female Rangers Team.

Guided by environmental and cultural priorities developed in consultation with Traditional Owners, Elders and relevant stakeholders, the Female Rangers Team will undertake land and sea management activities that empower young women to consolidate their connection to culture, combine traditional knowledge with contemporary land management practices and effectively care for Country.

SAC CEO, Asha Bhat, said the funding would enable SAC to provide an increased number of Aboriginal women with tangible opportunities to generate a sustainable income, in ways that allow them to grow and meaningfully connect to culture and Country:  

Thanks to this investment from the Federal Government, Aboriginal women, including SAC clients, will by supported to build sustainable career pathways in the Indigenous Land and Water Management sector.

SAC is excited to create culturally safe and appropriate opportunities for Aboriginal women to work on and manage Country, in accordance with the objectives of Traditional Owners.

Activities carried out by the Female Rangers Team will include cultural heritage management; marine, waterway and wetland protection; monitoring and survey of terrestrial species; seed collection and propagation; vegetation rehabilitation; biosecurity and feral species control; freshwater management; weed management; fire management; native plant and animal management; and knowledge sharing.

To ensure that traditional ecological knowledge for the management of Country underlies all activities, Ms. Bhat said the ARP team will work with Elders and engage Land Managers:

Project planning, management and implementation will be delivered with due regard to the cultural heritage of the Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Country, and all activities will be culturally appropriate.

This will include facilitation of women’s only knowledge sharing and on-Country sessions, separate to activities already carried out by SAC’s existing Aboriginal Rangers Team.

SAC will commence recruitment for the dedicated Female Rangers Team in early 2026.

Download the media release below:

251204 Media Statement - Rangers Expansion.pdf

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