Safety is paramount for the 13 rangers working for the Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation.

The corporation accessed $20,000 under the Territory Government’s Aboriginal Responsive Skilling Grants program for work health and safety training.

The funding supports the Yolŋu vision to develop an Aboriginal-based workforce offering long-term, on-Country sustainable employment.

The rangers manage 550,000 hectares of land and sea country across the Dhimurru Indigenous Protected Area.

Corporation managing director Djawa “Timmy” Burarrwanga said they’re focused on ensuring the program is successful.

“Safety is paramount for our rangers, who travel and work remotely,” he said.

“Having a good understanding of how to be safe in these conditions is key to a successful program.

“These grants are very important for Dhimurru. They help us manage our risk and keep our staff safe.

“It’s great for small organisations like ours to be able to access them.”

The Aboriginal Responsive Skilling Grants program supports accredited and non-accredited training to improve work skills, open the way to better employment pathways or opportunities, and obtain nationally recognised qualifications.

Funding may cover the entire cost of training for people looking for work or up to 50% of the cost for training existing workers.

Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation is celebrating 30 years of operation.