Volunteers and Careers
Park Ranger Experience
Jeremy Dawson
“I like meeting people and talking about my country. I really like taking tourists on bush tucker walks and talks around Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), plus working with Traditional Owners jointly in the National Parks through the Flexible Employment Program.”
“We had a fire workshop in the Davenport Ranges and a part of it was going out burning with Rangers from other parks around Alice Springs…but the best part was going up in a helicopter and seeing the park from the air. This was the first time I had ever been flying. It was great!”
Shirley Burgemeister
“What I like most about my job is the variety, no two days are the same. I also like working outdoors in the bush. Most people save up all year to go on their holiday and visit some of the parks I work in. Not only do I get to see much more of the park than what the average visitor does...I also get paid to see it!'
“Rangers in the Territory get out and get their hands dirty, but also are involved in planning and management decisions. I worked as a Ranger in another state and spent most of my time in front of a computer planning projects, while field officers did the rewarding job of actually implementing them.'
Hugh Woodbury
“On some days I could be checking dog traps or doing some erosion control on our walking tracks. That’s the best thing about being a Ranger, there’s so much to do.'
“The best thing about the job is the people you work with and working on some of the best National Parks in the world. Come on... who wouldn’t want to be a Ranger in the Territory!'
Peter McDonald
“There is so much variety in the job… there is heaps to learn, particularly in the first couple of years. Its amazing looking back and seeing what you’ve achieved and learned.”
“Living and working in a remote park is great. There is a real sense of freedom and also a sense of community.”
“When I worked in the West MacDonnell National Park, getting to walk and camp out on the Larapinta Trail was an amazing experience with spectacular scenery… getting paid to do it is a bonus.”
Leanne Forrest-Rathbone
"The best thing about being a Ranger is that every day is different… Some days are physically challenging, others intellectually but everyday has something interesting in it. Some of our core duties include: fence patrols, walking trail maintenance and patrols, fauna and flora surveys, community education mainly through the Junior Ranger program with local schools, campground maintenance and fire management, which can be lots of fun.”
“It is very refreshing working for an organisation that looks after and cares for its staff to the best of its ability. It is a great privilege to be able to work in and visit some of the most remarkable parks in Australia and contribute to their protection. Support for training always makes the future look brighter and there is lots of opportunity for personal development.”
“Living remote does the bank balance wonders too, it’s a great way to get ahead financially (if you use your money wisely!)”
Sheridan Martin
Memorable moments - "First seeing Rainbow Valley claypans with water and the reflections made by the orange/red cliffs in the glass calm waters - finding Shield Shrimp wriggling around the claypan edge - driving through one of our parks south of Alice Springs and seeing a carpet of wildflowers after winter rains... looked just like snow!"
