Southern Desert Ranger Forum

The Ngaanyatjarra Council are pleased to welcome Southwest desert ranger teams to the Southwest Desert Ranger Forum 2026. It will be a time to share, learn and have fun together.

Fire up, we look forward to seeing you there! 

Please read the event information below and register using the form.

Waru @ Walu 

• The theme of the forum is fire.  
• Two of the four training sessions at the forum will focus on fire work.  
• We will also spend time in groups talking about planning and doing firework.    

Download Event Poster

Registration

• 13 ranger teams have shown an interest in attending the Southwest Desert Ranger Forum and we can’t wait to see you all! 
• Please register your attendance at the forum by completing the form at the bottom of this page.
• For catering purposes all registrations must be finalised by Wednesday 15/04/26. 
• To make sure that we have space for a group from every ranger team we ask that you try to limit your numbers by travelling in 1 vehicle.  
• This limit of 1 vehicle (5 people) may be too low for your group and we welcome you to send 2 cars if: 
  • You have a men’s and women’s team and both will attend 
  • You need 2 cars for safe travel. 
• If you’d like to discuss your team’s numbers, please contact Tracy Carboon, SW Regional Support Officer at the IDA: tracycarboon@indigenousdesertalliance.com / 0428 593 840. 

Getting there  

• The forum will be held at Walu, see google maps link here.  
• If you need travel information you can contact Tracy Carboon, SW Regional Support Officer at the IDA: tracycarboon@indigenousdesertalliance.com / 0428 593 840.

Permits 

• All non-Aboriginal people who attend the forum will need a permit.  
• When you register you will be asked for the relevant information.  
• Ngaanyatjarra Council will then send your permit direct to your email.  

Camping  

• We will be camping on Country without any services.  
• Prepare for the forum like you would for any camp on Country.  
• Think about the things you will need like: 
  • all the medication you need for the time you are away 
  • plenty of blankets 
  • communication devices 
  • toilet paper 
  • water 
  • swags 
  • tents  
  • camp chairs. 

Water 

• We will have large containers of water at the forum, which we can refill if needed.  
• We will provide a minimum of five litres of drinking water per person per day. 

Food 

• Ranger teams will need to provide and manage their own breakfast meals.   

• A contractor will provide catering for the following meals: 

  Monday 11/05/26	Dinner
  Tuesday 12/05/26	Lunch & dinner, morning & afternoon tea
  Wednesday 13/05/26	Lunch & dinner, morning & afternoon tea
  Thursday 14/05/26	Lunch & dinner, morning & afternoon tea
  Friday 15/05/26	Bacon and egg breakfast

Toilets and handwashing 

• We will construct drum toilets around the site.  
• We will provide toilet paper and hand sanitiser next to each toilet.  
• There will be 12 handwashing stations around the dining area. 

 Equipment  

• You will need to bring everything you need for camping (as outlined above under the heading ‘Camping’).  
• The caterers will bring disposable tableware.  
  • To lessen waste, we encourage ranger teams to bring their own cups, plates and cutlery as well as the supplies they need to wash up after each meal.  
• Please bring the personal protective clothing (PPC) you would normally use for ranger work.  
  • During the training we will be using fire equipment like drip torches and rakehoes.  
  • You will need to wear PPC to participate in the training.   

Supporters 

• The Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA) is supporting Ngaanyatjarra Council to host the forum.  
• This event has been made possible through the IDA’s Southern Desert Right Way Fire Project, which is funded by Aboriginal Ranger Program Round 6 Innovation Fund and administered by the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions.