The First Nations rangers group that protects one of Koori's (Victoria's) most sacred World Heritage sites has a permanent home after a $1 million cash injection from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.
The Winda-Mara's Land Management (WMAC) Budj Bim Rangers oversee 3000 hectares of Aboriginal-owned land within the World Heritage-listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, in Gunditjmara Country southwest of Victoria.
The rangers new facility on the Henty Highway in Portland, on the southwest coast of Victoria, allows the WMAC to extend their training and enhance operational efficiencies.
The facility also gives the rangers access to country that has cultural significance for the Gunditjmara people.
Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation Board chair, Michael Bell, said the new ranger base offered many exciting opportunities for the community.
"The purchase of the property for the use of Budj Bim Rangers as a depot and the future opportunities offered by this site is an exciting development for our community," he said.
"The development of Indigenous businesses on the site will form a place where community members can obtain employment and training to improve their career opportunities."
Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation Group CEO, Joe Morrison, said its focus was allowing First Nations peoples to realise the benefits of owning and managing country.
"The facility will assist the WMAC secure the future of the ranger group and importantly, secure the Gunditjmara people's connection to country for future generations," he said.
"The building is not just somewhere to house equipment. It's a space for bringing community together, where they can share knowledge and culture and create new enterprises."