Simakal Senior Ranger on Dauan, Laurie Elisala from the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) has taken out second place in national ranger video competition, Healthy Country, Healthy Waters, Healthy Communities.
Filmed entirely in Kala Kawa Ya language, the powerful three-minute video showcases TSRA Ranger work around the Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) of Warul Kawa.
In the video, Ranger Laurie said rangers have a huge responsibility and an important role.
“There is a lot of responsibilities, caring for Country, sea, land, sky conserving our eco-system,” Ranger Laurie said.
“The people within our communities must understand and practice cultural knowledge and western knowledge, sharing that same knowledge with generations after us.
“We must preserve and practice our culture, paving the way for the next generation.”
The award-winning video shares footage of the pristine waters and environment, providing a glimpse into the work of TSRA Rangers.
TSRA Chairperson George Nona said the achievement reflected the strength of Torres Strait storytelling and the leadership of local rangers.
“TSRA Rangers on the frontline of caring for Country, guided by cultural knowledge that has been passed down many generations,” Mr Nona said.
“This award recognises not only the dedication of Ranger Laurie Elisala, but the pride our people have in their islands and their identity.”
Ranger Laurie said he was honoured to share the important work by rangers with a national audience.
“Everything we do as rangers is for our people, communities and environment,” he said.
“This achievement was a team effort and is about celebrating all Torres Strait Rangers.”
The video acknowledged Maluilgal RNTBC for permission, support and guidance.
World Ranger Day is celebrated each year on 31 July.
View all winning entries here.
About TSRA Rangers
The TSRA Rangers started in 2009 with one ranger group on Mabuiag and has grown to 13 Ranger groups across 14 remote Torres Strait communities (13 islands).
TSRA Rangers play a critical role in preserving the cultural and ecological integrity of the Torres Strait including the northernmost tip of the Great Barrier Reef.
TSRA’s Ranger team stands out not just for its size – as one of Australia’s largest and most diverse ranger programs – but also the diversity of its people, project and priorities.
It supports up to 60 ranger roles, bolstered by a local team with culturally informed technical experience in fields including marine biology, environmental management and ecology.
Women work in almost every TSRA Ranger team and make up about one third of the ranger workforce.
The Torres Strait region is the northernmost part of Australia and includes the communities of Bamaga and Seisia in the Northern Peninsula Area to the outer Torres Strait islands bordering Papua New Guinea. The 48,000 km² area includes more than 270 islands and reefs.
About TSRA
Established on 1 July 1994, TSRA is a statutory body and the lead Commonwealth agency in the Torres Strait for Indigenous Affairs, operating under the direction of a community-elected board.
As one of the most remote Australian Public Service (APS) agencies, TSRA supports programs across the region, including for 17 inhabited islands of the Torres Strait and the communities of Bamaga and Seisia on the Northern Peninsula Area of mainland Australia.
TSRA’s nation-leading Environmental Management Program – delivered by its Land and Sea Management Unit (LSMU) – aims to protect the ecological complexity and biodiversity of the Torres Strait region and recognise the strong and enduring connection of people to their islands and sea.
This nation-leading program supports job opportunities for local people to weave traditional knowledge and western science to care for land, sea and culture, including as rangers.