The Riverland Rangers Program has marked its first anniversary. 

An Indigenous ranger team had been an aspiration for the community for a long time. 

‘Having the rangers on board has been really exciting… the Elders are proud, seeing the young ones out on Country in their uniforms,’ said Julie Cook, Chair of the River Murray and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (RMMAC).

The team works to protect and preserve their Country’s unique cultural and environmental values.

They take care of the cultural heritage throughout the Riverland, covering a large area from the bottom of Morgan, South Australia, to the New South Wales / Victoria border. 

The rangers look after Indigenous burial sites, cultural heritage sites of significance, tree health, fencing and they monitor wildlife.

Susie Cook is proud to be a ranger. ‘I love learning more about my culture and my history, so the more I learn the better to teach the younger generation about it,’ she said. ‘So we can pass it on to them, so they can learn and take the lead and teach their younger generation.’

The program also aims to create positive social outcomes for the rangers, their families, the local Aboriginal community and the broader community.

RMMAC Chair Sheryl Giles has watched the team thrive as rangers and members of their community. 

‘It’s a benefit to them emotionally, socially, financially. It benefits them in the community, their self-confidence has grown, they are exposed to people they’d never have the opportunity to talk to or work alongside,’ she said.

As the program has become established, the team’s confidence has grown.

‘It makes me feel like I’m a part of something and gives me pride in my job,’ said Junior Ranger Anton Motto.

The River Murray and Mallee people includes the Ngaiawang, Ngawait, Nganguruku, Erawirung, Ngintait, Ngaralte and Ngarkat peoples.

Check out the rangers on Country: RMMAC Rangers Performance Story 2022 - YouTube.