Yarrabah's Stirling Ludwick is helping train the next generation of rangers after progressing from a trainee to a team leader and mentor.

Mr Ludwick was named the 2026 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards for his commitment to training, leadership, community and culture.

His training has given him a pathway to pass knowledge on to young people in Yarrabah.

"Training has been so important to me because with me getting my training, I can pass the knowledge over to the next generation or next leaders in our community," Mr Ludwick said.

Mr Ludwick began as a trainee ranger with the Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Peoples Prescribed Body Corporate (GMYPPBC) in 2023 through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

He progressed to supervising the 2024 cohort of trainee rangers before becoming Junior Ranger Team Leader in January 2025, supporting young people to develop practical skills and learn on Country.

Mr Ludwick completed the Ranger to Trainer Pathway Program and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment in 2025, preparing him to eventually deliver accredited training within the GMYPPBC Ranger Program.

Mr Ludwick described winning the award as a mind-blowing achievement and reflected on how the opportunities had helped build his confidence.

"When I started with the Queensland Indigenous land and Sea program, I didn't have so much confidence in myself, self-doubt," he said.

"But getting exposed to all these areas ... brings you out more.

"I want to thank them for giving me the opportunities and the networking ...I just love it."

Mr Ludwick is now preparing to work alongside the TAFE Queensland Cairns teaching team to deliver training to the 2026 Junior Ranger cohort of Year 10 students from Yarrabah State School.

His learning has also taken him beyond Yarrabah to represent GMYPPBC and his community at conferences and forums in Darwin, Melbourne, Karratha and Brisbane.

These opportunities have helped him develop as a speaker, leader and advocate for culturally grounded training.

The GMYPPBC motto, "Show up to Go Up!", also guides his encouragement of young people to pursue education and training.

"The biggest lesson that I've learned so far is you gotta show up to go up," Mr Ludwick said.

"I always tell my young community members to stay in school, you've got great opportunities now so take it with both hands and just run with it."

Mr Ludwick will progress to the Australian Training Awards, to be held in Sydney on November 20, 2026.