Programs
Our land's natural resources have spiritual meaning; they provide healing and are valued for the educational and employment opportunities they create. The Aboriginal people’s environmental knowledge associated with our natural resources is of high value to us all and their culture. The management of the environment, both now and in the future, has to be appropriately acknowledged and respected.
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The innovation is changing the way the caves are managed and protected, to be known as cultural places – not just geological interest points. This integrated work, sharing of knowledge, and integrating into mainstream management plans, is the way of doing this. This will have flow-on benefits for making the public more aware of the cultural landscape that we all now share.
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You'll get an overview of the type of work we've been doing in the region.
Undalup Ranger Program
The Undalup Association Inc in partnership with Act-Belong-Commit and Mentally Healthy WA, together we provide support for a positive state of mental health and well-being for all.
We respect and promote the local Culture, create collaboration and communication amongst all, educate and share Cultural knowledge to encourage ways to build better working relationships with each other with a greater understanding of Caring for Country and our Coastlines, aiming to achieve great outcomes that provide social and economic benefits for our community.
The positive outcome of the Undalup Community Ranger program is for all participants to gain as much knowledge and qualifications during the program, with the education requirements to become a future ranger and to be employed in a ranger position.
The Undalup Wadandi Ranger program is open to participants with Aboriginal heritage. Participants will have the opportunity to be employed by the Undalup Wadandi Ranger program which will be a pathway to finding employment in Conservation organisations.
Wadandi Surf Academy
Following the vision of Wadandi Elders the late George Webb and Vilma Webb, who believed that Aboriginal Communities should gather strength through sharing Culture between themselves and the wider non-Indigenous community, we have come together to bring back the Wadandi Surf event to the heart of Wadandi Boodja, salt water peoples place where the river meets the sea, to promote the healthy lifestyle and enjoyment of surfing amongst the first nations people.
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Through the development of genuine partnerships, the Undalup Association together with Surfing WA and Josh Palmateer’s Surf Academy presented the “Wadandi Surf Academy”. A six-week workshop for the local Indigenous Youth from the region's High Schools, who participate in the surfing workshops with the ultimate goal of competing in future Indigenous surfing events. This all-inclusive program will help introduce the Koolungas in surfing and at the same time reconnect them with their Culture.
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This program is only available for local Indigenous kids attending the following schools:
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Busselton Senior High School
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Cape Naturaliste College (Vasse)
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Margaret River Senior High School
Undalup Ranger Program
The Undalup Association Inc in partnership with Act-Belong-Commit and Mentally Healthy WA, together we provide support for a positive state of mental health and well-being for all.
We respect and promote the local Culture, create collaboration and communication amongst all, educate and share Cultural knowledge to encourage ways to build better working relationships with each other with a greater understanding of Caring for Country and our Coastlines, aiming to achieve great outcomes that provide social and economic benefits for our community.
The positive outcome of the Undalup Community Ranger program is for all participants to gain as much knowledge and qualifications during the program, with the education requirements to become a future ranger and to be employed in a ranger position.
Members, who are of Aboriginal heritage, will have the opportunity to be employed by the Undalup Wadandi Ranger program, if they are non-Aboriginal, they will have the opportunity to be employed by DBCA, Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, and with the advantage, they will already have done their cultural awareness training.
