First identified traineeship opens doors to careers on Country: Hinchinbrook Shire

Greening Australia, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, Nywaigi and Girramay Elders, and other regional partners involved in the Palm Creek Restoration Project are celebrating the creation of a First Nations traineeship, thanks to philanthropic funding from the Caterpillar Foundation.

Radayne Spina, a Girramay, Kalkadoon, Nywaigi, and Gia man has been appointed to the role.

Radayne Spina in Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s nursery.

This traineeship is Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s first identified position for Greening Australia’s Palm Creek Restoration project, and will see Radayne undertake a Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management with the Hinchinbrook Shire Council Biosecurity Team.

Radayne said he has always wanted to be a ranger and work on Country with and for community. He has previously undertaken placements with the Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service and is now bringing this passion and commitment to his traineeship.

“This traineeship is helping me build skills and experience, learning from Council staff, Elders, and mentors at Greening Australia. I’m grateful for the support through the Palm Creek project and I’m excited to use what I’m learning to care for Country.”

Besides undertaking accredited training as part of his formal qualification, Radayne is gaining practical field experience in digital mapping and reporting using spatial tools, managing invasive plant and animal species including in sensitive littoral forest ecosystems, and various tasks and operations within Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s nursery.

The traineeship involves a formal qualification as well as practical experience such as operations in the nursery.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Mary-Anne Uren said strong cultural leadership and genuine community partnerships were key to shaping the role.

“This is a great opportunity made possible through the support of Greening Australia and the Caterpillar Foundation.”

“We’d also like to thank the local Nywaigi and Girramay Elders who have taken the time to talk with us about this role, helping ensure it is shaped by local knowledge and led by community.”

Greening Australia’s Sharon Marks, the lead on the Palm Creek Restoration Project, said the dialogue that this identified position has opened between local Elders and Council representatives is in itself an important outcome and hopefully the start of many more conversations to come.

Since 2022, Greening Australia’s Palm Creek Restoration Project has partnered with Nywaigi Traditional Owners, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, local businesses and the landholders of a former cane farm to develop a sustainable grazing operation, while also fencing off and planting beside waterways to create links to remnants of original habitat.

These thriving plantings along a waterway are part of the Palm Creek Restoration Project.

Most significantly, this project is an important avenue for local First Nations people to learn restoration techniques on-Country and build local conservation capacity, creating opportunities for intergenerational knowledge transfer and for pathways to pursue careers on Country. This traineeship forms part of the Palm Creek Restoration Project’s commitment.

The project’s activities have been entirely funded by philanthropic contributions.

Radayne’s traineeship is for two years, and he is already thinking of other training avenues, with plans to also gain experience and qualifications in firefighting to explore cultural burning for looking after Country.
 
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