Larrakia Nation’s rangers are doing what Indigenous people consider the most sacred of jobs – caring for Country.

They carry out a wide range of tasks, everything from weed management to cleaning up wildlife trails, from checking for invasive aquatic pests to shorebird surveys.

Ranger manager Michael Carter says: “Larrakia people are proud to work for us.”

The Larrakia Land and Sea Rangers promote their work during school visits and regularly take on trainees.

Darwin-born Taylah Hill joined the rangers after graduating from year 12 at Casuarina Secondary College.

“I wanted to connect with Country more,” she says. “It’s a good job. I’m learning so much.”

Like all trainees, Taylah is studying for a Certificate lll in Conservation and Eco Management.

Larrakia Nation is made up of the original inhabitants of Darwin from the Batcho, Browne/Talbot/Kenyon, Cubillo, Fejo, McLennan, Raymond/Mills, Roman and Shepherd families.

It carries out many tasks, including:

• Larrakia Patrol
• HEAL, healthy engagement and assistance in the long grass
• Return to Country
• Larrakia Host
• Visitor and Information Centre
• Palmerston Family Culture Centre
• Family and Children’s Intensive Support
• Aged and disability care
• Assistance with care and housing
• Tenancy Support Program
• Family Kinship (Minbani Bebe)
• Transport support

The organisation’s 14-strong ranger division performs several fee-for-service jobs, including weed management for Defence at the RAAF-controlled Darwin International Airport, Defence Establishment Berrimah and Larrakeyah Barracks.

Rangers, who use two LandCruisers with 600 litre herbicide tanks and a buggy with a 300 litre tank, have been taught how to identify and eradicate invasive species, such as gamba grass, snake weed, the hyptis herb and mission grass.

“Our people know how to tell the difference between weeds and native plants,” says Michael. “Most of the work is done during the wet season. It’s hard work in the stifling heat.”

The rangers also patrol Darwin Harbour and other waterways as part of a biosecurity program supported by the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

They use two boats, a 5.3 and 4.7 metre, made by Darwin-based Custom Works, and have a 7.3 metre vessel on order.

“We look for environmental threats, such as invasive mussels and ghost nets,” says Michael.

The rangers hope to play a part in the Territory Government’s long-running crocodile control program, including checking traps.

One of the lesser-known jobs is maintenance of the Gurambi Trail along Rapid Creek at Darwin Airport.

“It’s a little hidden paradise,” says Michael. “We carry out general maintenance, including clearing away rubbish after flooding.”

Rangers also check air quality for the Federal Government at Gunn Point.

The team never stops learning – for instance, team leader Nathan Neave was seconded to NT Fisheries for five months.

As Michael says: “We want our people to keep learning and growing.”