Lotterywest grant of $52,580 to the Goldfields Land and Sea Council Aboriginal Corporation
Towards a new four-wheel drive vehicle to support the activities of the Ngadju landcare ranger program
Premier Colin Barnett today presented the Goldfields Land and Sea Council Aboriginal Corporation (GLSC) with a Lotterywest grant of $52,580 towards a new four-wheel drive to support the Ngadju ranger program.
Supported by GLSC, the ranger program sees 16 rangers carry out land management projects throughout Norseman and the greater Goldfields region. The program combines contemporary landcare practices with traditional land management regimes including land management training, commercial seed collecting, cultural awareness training to non-Aboriginal audiences and flora and fauna surveys.
The Premier acknowledged the far-reaching benefits of the ranger program.
"This program does more than just care for land - it enables the transfer of traditional environmental knowledge to younger generations and provides training and employment opportunities for Ngadju people," Mr Barnett said.
"The availability of a suitable vehicle solely for the use of the Ngadju landcare rangers will allow their valuable work to continue and expand."
It will mean more rangers, their equipment and materials can be safely transported to remote locations throughout Norseman and the Goldfields.
The current ranger team has provided more than 240 days of paid employment for more than 10 Ngadju men in the past two years and has created strong social, cultural and health outcomes for the participants.
"I look forward to seeing this program continue to grow and provide more training and work opportunities through land management projects into the future," the Premier said.
Fact File
GLSC represents the collective interest of Aboriginal people of the Goldfields Esperance region on matters of land, waters, governance, social and economic development, heritage and justice
WA is the only Australian State where money raised from lottery products is distributed directly back to the community
In 2013-14, Lotterywest distributed a total of $274.5 million to beneficiaries
The full list of grants is available at http://www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au
Premier's office - 6552 5000
