Eight local First Nations people will be more equipped to manage country on Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa traditional land, after completing a NSW Rural Fire Service bushfire training course.
Aunty Tracy Hamilton, Kobi Baxter, Leroy Edwards, Keisha Egan, Jacoby Smith, Liticia Ross, Tyron Ross-Graham and Jamahl Wilson were presented their certificates for completing the five-day bush firefighter course last week.
The course, which is funded by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, is a part of a multilayered approach to conserve the environment.
The intention is to train First Nations people in land and heritage management, and reintroduce past cultural practices such as cultural burns.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services Aboriginal joint management coordinator Gary Currey said the training will be applied to a cultural burn planned for later in the year, and any future burns.
“The course provided training on how to manage bush fires, knowledge on fire behaviours and how to work as a team in an emergency situation,” Mr Currey said.
“The training is about building the skill sets of young Aboriginal people in particular, and ensuring they stay connected to country and know how to look after and protect it.
“It is a little part of a way National Parks can assist in developing the skills and create opportunities for Aboriginal people.”
Mr Currey said the training will also benefit the management of the Werai Reseve, which will be declared an Indigenous Protected Area after the land is transferred to the Werai Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation.
Yarkuwa River Ranges program coordinator Luke Egan said there is potential to offer sole fire management after handover.
“They can have their own brigade, do their own firefighting and cultural burns,” said Mr Egan.
“The course has also helped them to upskill in an area which can also be of great use to the wider community.”
Participant Jacoby Smith said the course was a great experience.
“It was great to learn skills which will be used in our burn off and will help us progress our skills sets.”