Ngukurr born ranger and respected leader Julie Roy has been recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 Territory Natural Resource Management Awards.
The honour celebrates more than twenty four years of dedicated service to caring for Country, strengthening culture and guiding her community in South East Arnhem Land.
Ms Roy's story began on an outstation outside Ngukurr where she spent her childhood learning from her Elders. The knowledge she absorbed while growing up on Country shaped the foundation of her life's work.
"When I look back on my journey there are moments that shaped the way I lead and protect my homelands. Looking back now to where I left off, it meant a lot to me," she begins.
In 2001, she joined the Yugul Mangi Rangers and stepped into a role that would become a lifelong commitment.
"When I first started my journey way back, it was just nothing. Nobody was out there. It was just us women going out, learning and doing everything on Country," she said.
"When I look back now, it is worse, so sad and happy at the same time." The sadness reflects the increasing pressures on Country, while the happiness comes from the progress and resilience built through years of hard work.
Over more than twenty years she worked her way up to Assistant Ranger Coordinator and completed an extensive list of qualifications including Certificates One and Two in Conservation Land Management and Certificates One Two and Three in Fisheries Compliance. Her dedication led her to become one of only two Indigenous Class One Fisheries Inspectors in South East Arnhem Land, a significant achievement that reflects her discipline and leadership.
Her ecological knowledge has guided important work responding to weeds, hot fires and feral animals. She collaborated with Macquarie University and the Ngukurr Language Centre to document flora and fauna in the South East Arnhem Land Indigenous Protected Area, recording species in local languages and preserving cultural knowledge for future generations.
Her passion for supporting young people has been equally important. Through the Learning on Country Program, on Country camps and cultural education, she has helped young people reconnect with identity, language and land. She smiles when remembering the early ranger days.
"I remember those days. We were just women rangers. We had lots of fun. We were strong together. We learned from our Elders and we learned from each other. That is what made me strong. That is how I learned to lead. By being there. By seeing how Country was changing. By knowing we had to step up."
Her influence reaches far beyond her own ranger group. Ms Roy has supported neighboring Traditional Owner groups with their Healthy Country Planning, offering guidance on environmental priorities, cultural responsibilities, youth engagement and threats facing their landscapes. She has also shown how women strengthen ranger groups through leadership, decision making and on ground work.
Her long-term commitment has provided stability, cultural continuity and strong leadership to the Yugul Mangi Rangers since 2001. She reflects on the responsibility that has guided her throughout her life.
"In those days no one was out there. It was just empty. And we were thinking, who is going to look after this place if we do not. So we went out every day. We kept going back. We kept showing up."
Today she continues to inspire the next generation. As a respected member of the Strong Women for Healthy Country Network and a lifelong protector of Country, her legacy continues to grow. Her commitment to Country, culture and community will carry forward across South East Arnhem Land for many years to come.
