IDA Ranger of the Year Awards 2022

The 2022 awards were staged at Yulara in the Northern Territory, the township located near the iconic Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. The awards were attended by Traditional Owners and 375 Indigenous ranger delegates from 40 groups across the desert. The awards formed part of the 2022 IDA Conference, the largest gathering of Indigenous rangers in Australia, dedicated to strengthening knowledge, skills and connections between Indigenous land management organisations and rangers.

Men and women ranger award recipients included:

• Emerging Ranger of the Year (Male), Kevin Malthouse, Tjuwanpa Rangers
• Emerging Ranger of the Year (Female), Kitana Shaw, Aputula Rangers
  Ranger of the Year (Male), Sam Stuart, Arabana Rangers
• Ranger of the Year (Female), Bronwen Cavanagh, Ltyentye Apurte Rangers
  Senior Ranger of the Year (Male), Paul Carnegie, Warnpurru
• Senior Ranger of the Year (Female), Jeannie (Langaliki) Robin, Walalkara IPA Rangers
• Ranger Coordinator, Aaron Eulenstein, Gingirana Rangers

This outstanding group of rangers were recognised for their leadership journey and commitment to either learning from their elders or sharing knowledge with emerging rangers.

Looking after country is a big job. The world is now looking to Traditional Owners and Indigenous rangers to lead the way forward on protecting country. Global challenges like climate change and protecting threatened species are big topics of discussion, but with so many Indigenous rangers committed to looking after country, the future is looking bright.

The IDA would like to thank all the IDA members, rangers, directors and staff for showing up and standing up for desert country and culture in 2022.