Indigenous fire management recognised at National Landcare Awards

Joseph Guenzler Published September 24, 2025 at 3.10pm (AWST)

achievement

Paul Buckman, Preston Cox, Azton Howard and Sarah Legge. Image: Supplied.

The Dampier Peninsula Fire Working Group has been recognised with the 2025 First Nations Landcare Collaboration Award at the National Landcare Awards, held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The group, based in Western Australia, brings together Indigenous rangers and partners to restore landscape health through cultural fire practices.

Their work combines traditional knowledge with ecological science to manage large wildfires and protect cultural, ecological and economic assets across the peninsula.

Nyul Nyul ranger Preston Cox said the award was significant for the group.

"Extremely proud this Indigenous-led group has been recognised nationally," he said.

"It's a really big deal for us, when we started over 10 years ago, we thought enough is enough of seeing our land burn – and here's the proof of what can be achieved."

Bardi Jawi ranger Phillip McCarthy said the recognition reflected the value of collaboration.

"It feels really good, was amazing to come all this way, it's our first time over here to the Gold Coast," he said.

"Over the years we've worked collaboratively, and it really matters and it's great to get this recognition."

Paul Buckland from Rangelands NRM, who works alongside the group, said it had been a remarkable partnership.

"It's really exciting to work with these land managers, building this collaboration across the peninsula – it's been an incredible journey," he said.

The awards ceremony, hosted by ABC TV Gardening Australia presenter Costa Georgiadis, recognised 11 national winners.

Other recipients included Holbrook Landcare Network in New South Wales, which received the Bob Hawke Landcare Award, Dr Susan Orgill from the ACT for the General Jeffery Soil Health Award, and Bryce Watts-Parker from Victoria, who won the NextGen Landcare Award.

Queensland winners included Grant and Carly Burnham for the Climate Innovation Award and Leather Cattle Co for the Sustainable Agriculture Award.

Other awardees were Vivienne Briggs (TAS), Merri Creek Management Committee (VIC), Kingston Beach Coastcare (TAS), Nell Chaffey (NSW), and Tavish Bloom (VIC).

The National Landcare Awards highlight significant contributions from individuals, groups and organisations across the country working to protect the environment, strengthen communities and build a more sustainable future.