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Djelk Ranger group wins the 2016 Working on Country Photography Competition

21 June 2016
Community Maningrida
Jobs, Land and Economy
Working on Country winning photograph, by the Djelk Ranger group from Maningrida in central Arnhem Land, shows Traditional Owner Leila Nimbadja sharing conservation knowledge with the Djelk Women Rangers.

Working on Country winning photograph, by the Djelk Ranger group from Maningrida in central Arnhem Land, shows Traditional Owner Leila Nimbadja sharing conservation knowledge with the Djelk Women Rangers.

The exhibition of the 2016 Working on Country Photography Competition launched today at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

The biennial competition is a celebration of the 170 Indigenous land and sea management groups working to protect almost 60 million hectares of Australia’s natural and cultural assets.

Forty photographs were chosen from more than 250 entries for this year’s exhibition. The award-winners of each category were announced at the launch and representatives of the first-place award-winning Indigenous ranger group were in Canberra to collect their prize.

The winning photograph, by the Djelk Ranger group from Maningrida in central Arnhem Land, shows Traditional Owner Leila Nimbadja sharing conservation knowledge with the Djelk Women Rangers.

The rangers have created an education programme that gives women in the Maningrida region the opportunity to share traditional conservation knowledge with future generations.

Winning photographer Ms Tina Yeganeh said the photograph depicts a new Djelk Women Ranger programme encouraging the community’s older women to share their traditional knowledge with rangers.

“We are all excited at the opportunity this award presents to highlight and celebrate the key role women play in sharing traditional conservation knowledge,” Ms Yehaneh said.

“For our rangers, to travel to Canberra and accept this award in person, is an opportunity to represent their community on a national stage, share their stories as female rangers and reinforce the importance of the work Indigenous Rangers are doing all over Australia.”

Australian National Botanic Gardens General Manager Peter Byron, said the exhibition is always warmly received by people visiting the gardens.

“The photos give visitors a glimpse into the varied and incredible Indigenous conservation efforts across Australia,” Mr Byron said.

“Visitors love the stories each photo tells.”

The 2016 Working on Country Photography Competition exhibition is on display at the Australian National Botanic Gardens until 10 July. 

Find out more

You can still vote for your favourite Working on Country photograph in the People’s Choice Award.

The Indigenous Rangers - Working on Country program creates employment, training and career pathways for Indigenous people in land and sea management.