Forging the way: Desert Women's Leadership Trip 2024

4 minute read

In March, eight Indigenous women rangers from four ranger teams across the desert travelled to Naarm (Melbourne) for the 2024 Desert Women's Leadership trip. Lisa, Roberta, Sunny, Kalina, Caitlin, Pricilla, Sheena and Jeanina were selected from Nyangumarta Warrarn AC, Nantawarrina IPA, Goldfields AC and Tjuwanpa Women Rangers. The leadership exchange had a strong focus on giving women rangers opportunities to strengthen their public speaking skills for various audiences, building their confidence and creating leadership pathways for themselves into the future.

Participants of the Desert Women's Leadership trip in Naarm.

With desert women increasingly being asked to share knowledge and stories about their work on a large scale, public speaking is a priority skill for women rangers of all ages. With community Elders often up front speaking strong, the women went on the trip for them, with their permission and support.

"'Forging the way for other women,' that's what I am thinking and was thinking before coming."

Pricilla Reynolds, GACS Ranger

Tjuwanpa women rangers Sheena and Jeanina with Jen from the TGL team.

The women spent the first few days getting to know the TGL team and preparing their presentations. Then they travelled to the Cathedral Ranges where they connected up with Taungurung Rangers, who work alongside Parks Victoria to care for Taungurung country. Aunty Jo Honeysett welcomed the ladies to country with a smoking ceremony.

"Meeting peoples and all the other rangers from everywhere in the desert. We get to know them, and we all go together and looks like we all known each other for years!"

Lisa Toby, Nyangumarta Ranger

(Clockwise from left) Nyangumarta rangers Roberta and Lisa; Parks Vic ranger Melanie with GACS ranger Pricilla and Nantawarrina IPA ranger Sunny; and GACS rangers Pricilla and Caitlin. All pictured at Cathedral Ranges National Park.

The rangers presented for the first time to the Taungurung mob, yarning up about the ranger work they do on the varying desert country they all care for. In return, Taungurung rangers also yarned up about their work, and then took the group on a guided visit to Cathedral Ranges National Park. This was a great opportunity to reconnect with country after the hustle and bustle of the CBD.

Nyangumarta ranger Lisa and Jedda, IDA, presenting.

Nantawarrina IPA rangers Sunny and Kalina presenting.

The group also joined the Parks Victoria Women in Operations forum, where they learnt about urban ranger work and the challenges that come with this. Despite the obvious differences between desert and city, there were also many similarities and lots of women were keen to do exchanges following these conversations.

DWL participants at the Parks Vic Women in Operations forum.

"This was really good learning about different things what rangers do from different places and I was happy to meet ladies and learn about this different country."

Roberta Hunter, Nyangumarta Ranger

In between presenting to different groups, there was time for some sightseeing around Naarm, checking out the aquarium and BBC Earth Experience, and doing a city tour with Koorie Heritage Trust.

Tjuwanpa women rangers Jeanina and Sheena at the aquarium.

Over the course of the trip, the women rangers gave seven presentations to over 600 people and various groupzs, including Taungurung Rangers, Mornington Secondary School, Parks Vic Rangers, family business AP Touring, plus corporate groups and sponsors.

Clockwise from left. Nyangumarta ranger Roberta; GACS rangers Caitlin and Pricilla; and Tjuwanpa women rangers Sheena and Jeanina. All presenting at various locations.

The trip was a great opportunity for the women to connect with the wider Australian conservation network, and to speak up strong about country, culture and being a ranger, to put the desert on the map.

With thanks to IDA partner The Thin Green Line for hosting and facilitating this professional development opportunity.