Kids on Country has a tremendous impact on Aboriginal young people in high schools across South Australia. School feedback is overwhelmingly positive, and the list of returning schools wanting to participate grows each year. Through Aboriginal networking days within the Department for Education South Australia, our reputation for providing a culturally safe Junior Ranger program is spreading, with new schools contacting us weekly.
Due to the success of the program and recent support to build the program's capacity over the coming years, Nature Foundation had the opportunity to grow the team by including Aboriginal Trainees. This enables Nature Foundation to meet one of our key objectives: offer past participants of the Kids on Country program a defined career pathway within Nature Foundation by providing tangible support for careers in Conservation and Ecosystems Management, Caring for Country and Ranger work.
Nature Foundation is delighted to have taken on board not one but two Aboriginal trainees who commenced employment with us in July: Harrison (Harry) Lovegrove-Parry from Ngarrindjeri country and Raijieli (Chelli) Bovoro from Adnyamathanha, Kuyani, Yawarawarka and Western Arrernte country.
Harry and Raijieli are being supported to complete their training in Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystems Management with TAFE SA while learning and working across the organisation with Kids on Country, the Science and Knowledge team, the Volunteer and Visitor Engagement team and more.
“Taking on Aboriginal trainees has been a long-term goal for the Kids on Country program,” says Katie Perry, Youth Programs Coordinator.
“Providing an opportunity for Aboriginal young people to learn more about caring for country and Nature Foundation through joining the team is a major achievement. The program is all about empowering Aboriginal young people to be the best they can be through building self-esteem, pride in identity and developing our participants existing strengths and assets.
“Having two past participants with firsthand experience join the team is amazing. Chell and Harry bring different dynamics, skills and knowledge to the team, and it’s an exciting time with the growth of the Kids on Country program.
“To realise one of our long-term goals of inspiring careers in conservation and land management makes the hard work of the past seven years worthwhile. I am really looking forward to mentoring and sharing my knowledge with two enthusiastic brilliant young Aboriginal people”.
We are very excited to not only have the capacity to grow the Nature Foundation team but also to assist Harry and Chelli in beginning their careers in conservation.
Meet our Team.
Learn more about our Kids on Country program.