First Nations Traineeship Opens Pathways To Careers Caring For Country In Hinchinbrook

Radayne Spina has begun a First Nations traineeship with Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s Biosecurity Team through Greening Australia’s Palm Creek Restoration Project. Photo supplied.

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A new First Nations traineeship role created through Greening Australia’s Palm Creek Restoration Project is helping open doors to careers caring for Country in the Hinchinbrook region.

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Girramay, Kalkadoon, Nywaigi and Gia man Radayne Spina has been appointed to the role, which is the first identified position created through the partnership between Greening Australia, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, local Nywaigi and Girramay Elders, and regional partners.

The traineeship, funded through the Caterpillar Foundation, will see Mr Spina complete a Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management with Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s Biosecurity Team while gaining hands-on field experience.

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Mr Spina said his passion for environmental work began while growing up around his father’s work as a ranger with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

“Growing up with my Father working at QPWS I always enjoyed being outside in the natural environment and learning about it and would like see the environment healthy for generations to come,” he said.

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“This traineeship is helping me build skills and experience, learning from Council staff, Elders, and mentors at Greening Australia. I’m grateful for the support through the Palm Creek project and I’m excited to use what I’m learning to care for Country.”

As part of the traineeship, Mr Spina is learning revegetation and nursery procedures, weed management and digital mapping, while also completing TAFE studies including safe chainsaw operation.

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“It’s good to learn from people who have experience within environmental fields and for them to pass their knowledge onto me,” he said.

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Mr Spina said he also hoped to gain rural firefighting qualifications in the future to explore cultural burning and further career opportunities in the environmental sector.

“As people are part of the environment I believe that if we take care of the land it will take care of us,” he said.

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Hinchinbrook Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Mary-Anne Uren said the identified position had been shaped through consultation with local Elders to ensure it was culturally informed and community-led.

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“This is an incredible opportunity provided through Greening Australia and the Caterpillar Foundation, and we want to thank the local Nywaigi and Girramay Elders who have chatted with us about this identified position to ensure it is culturally informed and community-led,” Ms Uren said.

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Greening Australia project lead Sharon Marks said the role was already creating positive outcomes within the community.

“Radayne is a great fit for this position and is already getting plenty of field experience. Sometimes opening doors for one person can have a ripple effect for a whole community,” Ms Marks said.

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Since 2022, the Palm Creek Restoration Project has worked alongside Traditional Owners, council and regional partners to restore habitat, improve water quality and support First Nations-led environmental outcomes in the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

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