Funded by the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund under the Firesticks Project and the NSW Rural Fire Service Bushfire Resilience for Aboriginal Communities (BRAC) program, Aboriginal land managers from across Northern NSW met at the Yarrawarra Cultural Centre to participate in fire fighting training whilst increasing the awareness of the cultural significance of burning practices and values.
During the three day workshop program, more than 30 rangers received training in NSW Rural Fire service Bushfire Fighting while 10 NSW Rural Fire Service Community Safety Officers received training in Aboriginal cultural awareness from the Yarrawarra community, Coffs Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Firesticks project members.
A total of 33 Aboriginal rangers from Boorabee and the Willows, Wattleridge, Minyumai and Ngunya Jargoon Indigenous Protected Areas; and Ngulingah, Casino Boolangle Aboriginal Land Councils participated in firefighting training, as partners of the Firesticks Project. All participants to complete the training receive the five competencies attached to the NSW Rural Fire Service Bushfire Fighter (BF) course through Riverina TAFE, and the Rural Fire Service staff that attended Cultural Awareness training will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
