Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Photo Competition Highlights Role of Indigenous Rangers Caring for Country
Media release
5 July 2012
A photographic exhibition depicting the land and sea management work of Indigenous rangers is on show at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra until 15 July 2012.
To celebrate NAIDOC Week, Acting Deputy Secretary Mr Sean Sullivan, officially opened the 2012 Working on Country Photography Exhibition today.
"This exhibition showcases the huge contribution Indigenous rangers make to Australia's environment," Mr Sullivan said.
"The outstanding photographs on display have been hand-selected from more than 120 photographic entries received from Indigenous rangers, and their communities across Australia.
"Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see 40 stunning photos up-close and read the accompanying captions that tell the story of the photo. Photographs in the exhibition depict the diverse work of Indigenous rangers employed to protect and conserve Australia's unique land and sea country.
"The Australian Government now employs close to 700 Indigenous rangers across 85 rangers groups through the Working on Country program – a vital contribution to Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage."
This year, winning entries captured the essential role of Traditional Owners in ecological and cultural knowledge transfer, the rangers' vital work protecting and conserving key threatened and endangered species and the enthusiasm of Indigenous youth learning to care for country.
A new category in 2012, the Women on Country Award, recognises the integral role women play in caring for country.
The award winning photographs, and those selected for the exhibition, were selected by a panel of three Indigenous judges.
The public is encouraged to vote for their favourite entry in the People's Choice Award category.
To view all entries in the exhibition and vote online for the People's Choice Award go to http://www.environment.gov.au/indigenous/workingoncountry/photo-competition.html
The exhibition will be open until 15 July at the Visitor Centre, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross Street, Canberra.
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