Gooniyandi Rangers Aid Flood Relief Efforts
Gooniyandi Rangers Aid Flood Relief Efforts
Gooniyandi Rangers look at damage caused by the 2023 Fitzroy Flood.
The Kimberley Land Council would like to recognise the contributions of the Gooniyandi Rangers, who have been hard at work supporting the Fitzroy Valley flood relief efforts over the past few months.
The Royal Australian Air Force plane that transported the Gooniyandi Ranger Vehicle back to Fitzroy Crossing.
The Gooniyandi ranger vehicle was flown over to Fitzroy from Broome by the Royal Australian Airforce earlier this month, enabling the ranger team to provide much needed support on the ground.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services assisted with the return of the Ranger Vehicle.
Head ranger Virgil Cherel alongside rangers Kaunell, Cody & Dano have been assisting in the relief effort by delivering essential supplies and helping tidy up homes and communities in the Fitzroy region.
Head Ranger Virgil Cherel next to the Gooniyandi Ranger Vehicle after it was flown back to Fitzroy.
Gooniyandi Ranger Coordinator Russell Chestnut says the recovery is going to be a slow process.
Gooniyandi Ranger Coordinator Russell Chestnut has played a key role in supporting services to communicate with and reach affected communities around the Fitzroy Valley.
Russell said the community is learning how to recover, but it’s going to be a slow process.
“It’s the first time we’ve experienced floods of this severity. Our bridge is destroyed, meaning the Eastern and Western parts of the Fitzroy Valley and the wider Kimberley community are separated.
The community of Fitzroy Valley is very resilient, and we are learning as we go very quickly but there is a very long road ahead. Hopefully we come back stronger and more united than before.”
Thank you to all the ranger teams, help services, organisations, PBCs and community members who have been involved in the flood recovery efforts.
Photo taken by Gooniyandi Ranger Coordinator Russell Chestnut of the Fitzroy Bridge, destroyed by the 2023 flood.