Cyclone Yasi arrived at Cardwell on the 3rd February 2011. It was the biggest Cyclone to hit our shores in living memory – a massive Catagory 5 storm.

There was an immediate response from other Indigenous Ranger Programs from across North Queensland. Our colleagues felt obligated to assist their fellow Indigenous countrymen in their time of need. People felt confused and emotionally drained after this massive natural disaster. Indigenous Rangers from Cooktown, Mareeba and Burketown rushed to Cardwell to be a part of the specific Indigenous relief program. These guys where completely self-motivated, independent and self-reliant with their own food, water, camping facilities, fuel, chainsaws, vehicles and other resources at the ready.

We often hear people speak about Indigenous people saying that we must be in control of our own future, we must be more responsible, we must be a real part of the broader community, we must contribute to the overall wellbeing of the broader community, we have to contribute to the financial health of our community and so on. The decisions and the actions of these Indigenous Rangers to come to the aid of their fellow Indigenous countrymen at a time of desperation and need, has established a platform and a conviction to establish the first “North Queensland Indigenous Rangers Disaster Contingency Plan”. The vision of this plan will be to unite Indigenous Rangers and Indigenous SES volunteers across North Queensland, and to be able to mobilise these guys immediately in event of any future disaster. Under this Plan these guys will be able to respond to any diaster anywhere in the State. Under this Plan when Mother Earth needs its people the most we will be ready, willing and able to respond quickly and efficiently.

– Philip Rist, Executive Officer, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation