In the heart of Dyirribarra/Bagirbarra Country near Innisfail, Far North Queensland, a story of resilience and determination is unfolding. The Goondoi Rangers, spearheaded by the wisdom of Elders, are on a mission to heal their land and revive the waterways that cradle their heritage. They've embarked on a journey not just to protect the environment, but to preserve a symbol of their culture: the cassowary, embodied in their very name, Goondoi.
In 2021, Cultural Education Officer, CEO and Ranger, Manni Edwards noticed declining cassowary numbers in the region and suspected a deeper ecological imbalance was at play.
The cassowary's natural food source, the cassowary plum tree, was in decline due to the spread of an invasive species, pond apple. The cassowaries had resorted to eating pond apple, which has inferior nutritional value and is brimming with seeds. This dietary shift not only compromised their health but also, due to the cassowaries nomadic behaviour, contributed to a wider spread of pond apple, further threatening the native flora.
The situation was aggravated by other invasive species commonly used in landscaping, which competed with the native vegetation and slowed the water flowing through the wetland forest. This caused the cassowary plum seeds that remained to be trapped on the overgrown forest floor, where they were burned by the heavy nitrogen load running off nearby cane farms, thwarting their growth and adding to the decline of the cassowaries vital food source.
The Rangers, recognising the urgency of restoring the ecological balance, knew they needed to act.
Goondoi Rangers Mitchell Purcell, Magnus Edwards and Jordan Rudkin perform
Traditional dancing at Etty Bay Beach. Credit: Our Reef Stories.
#Collaborating for a sustainable future
The Goondoi Rangers had already made efforts to prevent run-off from the adjacent farmland from reaching the wetlands by building a sediment pond between the farm and the wetland. This engineered pool was designed to collect water running off the farm and filter out pollutants before the water reached the wetlands, by allowing the heavier sediment particles to settle at the bottom.
To advance this work, the Rangers received a Healthy Water Stage 2 grant to construct a second sediment pond downstream to further reduce waterborne pollutants. This dual-pond system was designed to maximise filtration - the first sediment pond intercepts the initial run-off, and the second sediment pond completes the cleansing process, ensuring that by the time the water re-enters the ecosystem, it is significantly purer and less harmful to the surrounding flora and fauna.
Manni Edwards, the driving force behind these projects, said "It lets us know exactly what's going on with the water once it's left the cane fields and travelled through Goondoi wetland."
The Goondoi Rangers then invited their Junior Rangers to help them revitalise a creek flowing from the second sediment pond, enhancing the hydrological continuity and water quality even further. By weaving this crucial task into the curriculum at the local school, Radiant Life College, Goondoi helped preserve its environmental legacy and shared the values of ecological and cultural custodianship with the younger generation.
Cultural Education Officer/CEO and Ranger Manni Edwards and Head Ranger John Fejo inspect Sediment Pond 2 on the Goondoi wetland. Dyirribarra/Bagirbarra (Innisfail). Credit: Our Reef Stories.
#A Vision for the future
Through their work on water quality management, the Goondoi Rangers are demonstrating how applying Western scientific methods with Traditional Knowledge are leading to big impacts for the environment and for their community. Theirs is a holistic approach, combining every available tool to nurture their environment back to health. This collaboration is not only about restoring water quality or protecting the cassowaries, it is a continuation of their connection to Country and their journey of self-determination.
Acknowledging the invaluable role of the Elders, the Rangers engage them as mentors to guide the youth, passing on wisdom and forging a connection with their cultural heritage. This intergenerational exchange is vital as it empowers the young Goondoi to be custodians of their lands and help preserve their culture.
Pastor Anthony Edwards Sr, Goondoi Elder, shared his feelings about the work being done by the Goondoi Rangers, "We've been in the back of the bus for too long. Now, we're steering it, steering towards our dreams, our vision. Goondoi can set the benchmark. It's about breaking cycles and building futures."
This sentiment resonates at the heart of Goondoi's mission, signaling that cultural pride and environmental guardianship walk hand-in-hand, guiding the next generation towards a brighter and sustainable future.
Goondoi Ranger and Strong Peoples-Strong Country Community Research Assistant Ki-Shaun Fejo and Ranger Magnus Edwards inspect the beach at Flying Fish Point. Credit: Our Reef Stories
Story created in collaboration with Goondoi Traditional Owners and Our Reef Stories.
