Caring for Country

Council is proud to introduce our First Nations Fire Officer, Michael Willmot.

Australia's First Nations community have been custodians of country for tens of thousands of years and Council recognises the importance of cultural land management and burning as the most appropriate way to mitigate the effects of bushfires.

Respecting these cultural connections, Michael will work closely with the region's Traditional Owners to establish healthy management of country.

Get to know Michael

Michael is a proud Wakka Wakka man, born on the Cherbourg Aboriginal Settlement (Mission). He is a carpenter by trade and has extensive experience in both Federal and State Park management as a ranger. His fire journey began while working in park management at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park where he had the opportunity to learn from Anangu (Central Desert Aboriginal people) and build his skills as a fire practitioner. In turn, he was able to pass on this knowledge to the younger generation of the Uluru, Central Desert region. He now brings his passion and experience to the Gladstone Region and looks forward to sharing his knowledge with us.

This role has been made possible through funding from the Australian Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program.

First Nations Fire Volunteers 

Council would like to hear from First Nations people who are interested in volunteering to work with our First Nations Fire Officer. The volunteers will work as part of a team planning and preparing site to deliver cultural burns on Council reserves.

The main duties include inspecting sites and determining burn regime requirements; preparing sites using hand tools and light plant to create fire breaks, reducing fuel loads and protecting parent trees; and attending burning days as observers, participating as directed by the Burn Controller.

Applicants must be a minimum of 16 years of age.

For more information, please call Council on (07) 4970 0700 or email info@gladstone.qld.gov.au