Media Release 30th May 2023
Hardworking Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management Aboriginal Rangers Efforts Recognised
Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management (WNRM) is celebrating a great outcome for its Noongar Boodjar Rangers team.
Aboriginal NRM Project Delivery Officer Jermaine 'Bomber' Davis said he is very proud of the Rangers ongoing efforts winning a renewal of their current tender with the Shire of Northam.
“The provision of Northam Cemetery maintenance services has been an important part of our local service delivery work with our current Shire of Northam contract and to have won another new commercial contract to continue this important service, is something we are thrilled about”, he said.
Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management (WNRM) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Karl O’Callaghan said the Aboriginal Rangers program funded independently through WNRM is an important part of the work we do across the Wheatbelt.
“The Rangers workforce also provides landscape restoration services such as native seed collection, weed control for restoration projects, soil sampling, tree planting, and native fauna surveys and the Northam Cemetery maintenance contract provides all year round employment for the team”, he said.
“It is particularly pleasing to be able to announce this Aboriginal Ranger success story during National Reconciliation Week 2023. I would like to extend my thanks to the Shire of Northam for joining with us this today to celebrate the positive competitive bid outcome”, Dr O’Callaghan said.
Shire of Northam President, Cr Chris Antonio, said the Shire of Northam is pleased to award the cemetery maintenance contract to the Wheatbelt NRM Aboriginal Rangers which they have won through a competitive tender process.
“It is really special that we get to sign the contract during National Reconciliation Week, which is a time where we celebrate Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander culture and acknowledge the role we all play in building relationships and communities that value and respect Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, their culture and their history. We look forward to our continuing our relationship with the Aboriginal Rangers and the Wheatbelt NRM”, Cr Antonio said.
A formal agreement between the parties was signed today at Northam’s Bilya Koort Boodja (BKB) Centre for Nyoongar Culture and Environmental Knowledge.
ENDS - For further comment or photo opportunities please contact:
Engagement and Communications Manager Rose Crane 0427 902 265, rcrane@wheatbeltnrm.org.au