YINHAWANGKA RANGERS CELEBRATE GRADUATION AND A STRONG FUTURE ON COUNTRY
Rangers and supporters at the Yinhawangka Ranger graduation. Credit: Jenson Pryar
Yinhawangka Rangers have celebrated their graduation in Paraburdoo, recognising more than a year of training, hard work and learning on Country.
The celebration marked an important step for graduates building careers caring for their ancestral lands, while inspiring the trainees following in their footsteps.
Speaking with Ngaarda Media, rangers and staff shared their pride in the achievement and their hopes for a program creating opportunities in leadership, land management and cultural education.
Graduate Ronald Chubby (middle) with supporters. Credit: Jenson Pryar
For graduate Ronald Chubby, the training has already opened a new chapter. He stepped into the Yinhawangka ranger coordinator role in August, taking on greater responsibility within the team.
Ronald said ranger work had taken him to places on his Country he had never visited before.
“I’ve learned a lot about the country,” he told Ngaarda.
Now, he hopes to support other rangers to develop their skills and eventually become coordinators themselves. Caring for creeks, springs and waterways remains central to the team’s work.
Fellow graduate Dwight Ingie, who is based in Perth and travels back for ranger work, said being on Country offered valuable opportunities to learn through practical experience.
His work has included learning about plants and animals and working alongside scientists. He hopes to continue training towards a fire coordinator role and encourage more Yinhawangka people living in towns and cities to return home.
“More people out on country would be really nice and it would be good to bring people back on country, just like me,” Dwight said.
The graduation also offered encouragement for trainee Lee, who attended to support his brothers, Dwight and Ronald.
Early in his own ranger journey, Lee is already thinking about how he can share what he learns. His ambitions include taking families and school students out on Country, teaching them about plants, waterholes and the lives and cultural knowledge of the old people.
Lands Manager Hamish said the graduates had shown dedication throughout their training, turning up early and working through demanding conditions.
“I can honestly say that the country’s in good hands,” he said.
Hamish described the graduates as emerging leaders whose responsibilities would extend beyond practical environmental work to making decisions and building relationships.
Rangers celebrating with a well-deserved cake. Credit: Jenson Pryar
Trainer and assessor James also praised their commitment. Having previously worked as ranger coordinator, he has shifted his focus to training as Ronald takes on coordination.
James said watching graduates pursue their own goals was rewarding. His longer-term ambition is for the team to develop the skills and confidence to operate without needing him.
With graduates taking on new responsibilities and another group of trainees learning alongside them, the celebration recognised both an achievement and the possibilities ahead.
Congratulations to the graduates, their families, cultural knowledge holders and everyone supporting their journey — a proud milestone in caring for Yinhawangka Country.