Indigenous Women Rangers Network - Australia (IWRN Australia)
Connecting Indigenous Women Rangers
from all over Australia
Leveraging the Queensland Indigenous Women Rangers Network (QIWRN) model, IWRN Australia will deliver forums and programs (for individuals and established networks alike) that will provide culturally safe networking, support and opportunities that celebrates, recognises and empowers Indigenous women rangers.
​IWRN Australia kicked off strong welcoming over 210 women to the the Network at Australia's 1st National Indigenous Women Rangers Network Forum in Cairns in March 2025.
Australia's 1st Indigenous Women Rangers Network Forum
In the lead up to International Women's Day 2025 (8 March 2025), Larissa welcomed over 210 women from every Australian state, territory and the Torres Strait Islands to Australia’s 1st National Indigenous Women Rangers Network and Forum, hosted by QIWRN women. The collective experience in the room was epic, ranging from aspiring rangers to day 2 rangers all the way up to 37 years of service. The rangers enjoyed a rich and diverse program:
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Presentations by:
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Indigenous women rangers
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Michelle Heupel, Executive Director – IMOS
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Dr Cass Hunter and Dr Angie Reid – NAILSMA
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Zane Hughes, Rae Young and Dakota Woodley from Curtin University
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Workshops:
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Challenges and support needed for Indigenous women rangers, led by QIWRN
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Skills to improve mindset, overcome challenges and lead, led by James Fa’Aoso, Leadership Coach
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Team building to communicate, collaborate and create, resulting in a collaborative painting representing Indigenous women rangers, original design by Larissa Hale
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Snake awareness training
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QIWRN Mentoring and Leadership Panel – Zeila Wallace, Laurissa Mundraby, Francis Joyce and Angelina Williams, moderated by Larissa Hale
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On Country Activities:
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Mossman Gorge Cultural Tour
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Fitzroy Island Day Trip
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Gala Dinner & Awards
In support of IWRN’s first gala dinner, Formally Ever After donated 100 dresses and jewellery so women had the opportunity of choosing a formal dress. We had a “dress room” which was a buzz of activity with women trying on and selecting dresses, adding a really special point of difference, and some extra fun and connection to the forum.
​IWRN held it’s very first Gala Dinner, which included a moving performance from Sacred Creations Dance. Tamara Pearson led Tayhanee, Aida, Aiyanna, Shavonne from Bentley Park College in beautiful cultural dance (https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15cxj7P9kt/). The girls practiced in their lunch hours to perform for the women and set the tone for a night celebrating Indigenous women.
Australia's (and world) 1st National Indigenous Women Ranger Awards
There is not enough recognition for Indigenous women rangers and so we decided to create our own – starting an Australian (and world) 1st National Indigenous Women Ranger Awards. Women could be nominated or self-nominate across five categories with finalists/winners selected by a panel with assessors representing from several states. A special recognition of service award was given, nominated by Larissa. The awards added an empowering element to the evening for all the women who were excited to celebrate the 2025 Indigenous Women Ranger Award Winners:
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Young Ranger Award – Taylah Mitchell & Zalhi Hayden
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Collaboration Award – Markeeta Sullivan & Alice Manas
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Mentoring & Leadership Award – Hayleigh Graham
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National Ranger of the Year Award – Cindy-Lou Togo
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Lifetime Achievement Award – Cindy-Lou Togo
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Recognition of Service – Sue Marsh
Launch at the 2024 Dangkal Gwo’yal-wa First Nations Land and Water Management Forum
Larissa, Karin and Bec from the QIWRN team attended the 2024 Dangkal Gwo'yal-wa First Nations Land and Water Management Forum on Larrakia Country (Darwin) to launch IWRN Australia! The forum was for Indigenous rangers from across Australia and was attended by 648 people, 299 of which were women.
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Larissa and Karin delivered a women only workshop to announce our National Indigenous Women Rangers Network (IWRN Australia) and our very 1st National Indigenous Women Rangers Network Forum in March 2025, and work with women to understand needs, challenges and solutions of Indigenous women rangers across Australia.
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It was exciting to see a high level of interest in the network and forum and hear from many groups who are already establishing or have aspirations to establish women ranger teams!
