
EMPOWERING FUTURE GENERATIONS TO PROTECT COUNTRY AND HERITAGE
Caring for Sea Country: Keeping tradition alive through partnership and purpose.
Story created in collaboration with Gidarjil Development Corporation
For countless generations, the Gurang and Gooreng Gooreng Peoples have maintained an unbroken connection to the lands and waters of their ancestors. The three sacred rivers flowing through their Country on their way to the Great Barrier Reef hold deep cultural and spiritual significance.
The Gidarjil Development Corporation, named for these rivers, is based in Bundaberg and embodies a vision of cultural preservation and environmental stewardship. Established by Gurang and Gooreng Gooreng Peoples to provide Traditional Owner leadership to care for Country, Gidarjil has created economic, social and cultural opportunities for First Nations people.
Supported by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and a network of collaborators, Gidarjil is at the forefront of a movement that blends Traditional Knowledge with modern science to safeguard the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Their efforts not only protect ecosystems but also empower the community.
Traditional Knowledge Meets Modern Science
With the support of the Foundation and partnerships with institutions such as the University of the Sunshine Coast, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the Department of Environment and Science, the Gidarjil Sea Rangers are tackling critical knowledge gaps about inshore coral reefs and water quality. Using methodologies like photo quadrant surveys and Coral Point Count software analysis, the rangers have gathered over 80,000 data points to inform marine monitoring programs.
These data-driven efforts are complemented by Traditional Knowledge, with Elders guiding the identification of culturally significant sites and the integration of sustainable practices. At locations like Barolin Rocks and Lady Musgrave Island, the rangers are conducting coral surveys, fish identification, and macro-invertebrate monitoring, blending ancient wisdom with cutting-edge technologies such as drone operations and underwater photogrammetry.
Restoring Ecosystems
Gidarjil is also leading a revegetation project that’s helping reduce the amount of pollutants that wash into Reef catchments and out to the Reef. Their Bundaberg nursery is stocked with native species, which are used at various re-veg sites in the region.
Innovation in Action
Gidarjil is a key partner in CQUniversity’s SeaGrow—the world’s first large-scale seagrass nursery that has been built in Gladstone to help repair damaged seagrass meadows, which are critical habitats for marine life and important carbon sinks.
According to Sea Ranger Markeeta Sullivan, who manages the seagrass nursery: “What I love about my job is being out on Country and helping it heal—bringing back our mammal life, turtles and dugong.”
Healing Country, Empowering People
Gidarjil opened the first Aboriginal-owned and operated water testing laboratory, further underscoring the organisation’s leadership in environmental innovation. Managed by Elizabeth Newsom, this lab not only ensures the health of waterways, but means water quality testing can happen on-site—providing training and job opportunities and inspiring the next generation to engage deeply with their heritage and environment.
A Vision for the Future
As Gidarjil continues to grow, so do the opportunities for its people. By upskilling community members through training programs and fostering connections with Elders, the organisation is ensuring that Traditional Owners remain at the heart of conservation efforts. Plans to expand coral monitoring and explore technologies like LiDAR signal a future where cultural preservation and environmental sustainability thrive hand-in-hand.
Gidarjil recently announced emerging First Nations leader Margaret Blackman as the new CEO and managing director.
Margaret says: “I’m bringing in new ideas and ways for working with Traditional Owners, focusing on Sea Country management. Gidarjil has thrived with good people working here and we’ll continue to build the capability of the organisation through the strength of our people and culture.”
Join the Movement
The work of the Gidarjil Development Corporation is a testament to the power of collaboration and cultural pride. By supporting these initiatives, you contribute to the preservation of one of the world’s most remarkable ecosystems and the cultures that sustain it.
Find out more about the Gidarjil Development Corporation and their work for healing Country.