Leschenault Catchment Council gets boost with Danju Program and Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation

One of the South West’s leading teams of Aboriginal rangers have partnered with the region’s biggest Aboriginal Corporation to benefit nature and culture. The Leschenault Catchment Council’s Danju Program and Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation have formalised a new partnership to work together on projects in the South West, joining to sign a memorandum of understanding. The new agreement recognises the shared goals and strengths of the organisations in protecting country, supporting Aboriginal skill development and employment, and delivering community-based conservation projects. Danju business manager Caroline Hughes said the partnership represented a strong step forward in co-designed, on-country action. “It’s about creating real opportunities for collaboration, sharing knowledge, and delivering meaningful outcomes that respect Noongar culture and protect and restore natural areas,” she said. Danju co-ordinator Lance McGuire said they see a lot of potential in working together on the ground. “Our programs align in many ways, and by sharing skills and resources, we can strengthen our impact across the region,” he said. Jackie Parker, CEO of GKB Impact — the business arm of Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation — said they were excited to walk alongside LCC, and the Danju Conservation Team, to restore natural areas within the catchment. “This partnership is a great opportunity to celebrate and support the mob in their pursuit of caring for country and informing western approaches to conservation with traditional ecological knowledge formed over 60,000-plus years ago,” she said. The partnership builds on the relationship between the LCC and GKB, which has taken on several projects in the region already. These included work on projects such as the Collie River cultural walk feasibility study and sharing stories projects about the Leschenault Estuary. Both initiatives aim to bring together environmental knowledge and cultural values, centred on input from Noongar voices. A key focus of the partnership is exploring ways for LCC’s Danju Conservation Team to collaborate with the GKB Rangers — creating training, mentoring and work opportunities while fostering mutual learning and shared stewardship of country.