03 Dec Gidarjil’s New Vessel Guardian Warrior is officially launched
Recently I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Gidarjil Development Corporation’s newest vessel the ‘Guardian Warrior’. The new custom-built vessel will operate in offshore waters and will allow the organisation to undertake fee for service activities across a much broader area of sea country.
The Gidarjil Land and Sea Rangers are doing amazing things to protect and preserve the values and traditions of the traditional lands of Indigenous people. These activities Include expanding turtle protection, traditional fire stick burning for weed and forest management, and water quality management support. The Liberals National Government is investing in Indigenous Rangers and delivering important environmental, biosecurity, cultural and economic outcomes for remote communities, as well as all Australians.
The vessel was made possible thanks to a grant from the Federal Government of over $1 million. This funding helps to support the Indigenous Rangers Strategy to expand the work of Gidarjil rangers and to employ more locals in the program.
The funding will also support up to 59 training placements for existing Indigenous rangers to get the training they need to expand their work and provide training and work experience for up to 16 Indigenous secondary students to learn what it is like to be a ranger. Training opportunities for locals include Certificates II and III in Conservation and Land Management as well as opportunities in fields such as pest management, tourism, and hospitality.
