Women Rangers Take Part in Leadership Camp

Group photo of the 2026 Women’s Ranger Camp

In June, the KLC, in partnership with Women's Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA), delivered the inaugural Kimberley Indigenous Women's Ranger Leadership Camp on Yawuru Country. Held at the Broome Bird Observatory, the camp brought together women rangers from across the Kimberley Ranger Network for three days of leadership development, cultural connection and peer learning. 

The camp provided participants with practical leadership training focused on building self-confidence, strengthening communication skills, developing mentoring capabilities, and fostering supportive professional networks. Time on Country, shared experiences and opportunities for reflection were central to the program, recognising the importance of wellbeing alongside leadership development. 

A highlight of the camp was the generous knowledge sharing by Yawuru Elders, who guided participants through a range of cultural activities and experiences. Women learnt traditional weaving techniques, explored bush medicines, made damper together and shared in storytelling that strengthened cultural understanding and connection. Participants also visited a culturally significant women's site on Yawuru Country, providing a meaningful opportunity to learn from Elders, deepen cultural knowledge and reinforce the importance of caring for Country and continuing cultural practices. 

The camp was designed in direct response to feedback from the Women's Breakout Session at the 2025 Kimberley Ranger Network End of Year Debrief and contributes directly to the implementation of the Kimberley Indigenous Women's Ranger Strategy. The program supported the Strategy's priorities by creating opportunities for women to connect, exchange knowledge and experiences, strengthen leadership skills, and continue building a strong network of women ranger teams across the Kimberley. 

The KLC acknowledges the valuable support of Nyamba Buru Yawuru, the DBCA Yawuru Rangers, Yawuru Elders, WELA and all facilitators and partner organisations whose collaboration helped deliver a successful and culturally grounded leadership camp. Their contributions strengthened opportunities for women to lead, support one another and continue building a connected network of women ranger teams across the Kimberley.