Being a ranger on country at Carnarvon Gorge | ABC Australia

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It’s a dream job – but for Sheridan Lawton, being a ranger where her ancestors used to walk, sing and live is “by far the most unreal feeling”.

The Bidjara, Butchulla and Ghungalu woman has worked at Carnarvon National Park in central Queensland for two years.

The 30-year-old experienced her first taste of being a ranger at Carnarvon Gorge when she took a month off from her previous job to volunteer in the role.

As the son of a Bidjara man and Ghungalu woman, Milton Lawton said having two Indigenous rangers at the park was significant.

The traditional owner and his family have played a role at Kooramandangie, known as the Carnarvon Ranges, for many years. 11 members of his family have worked as park rangers, including Mr Lawton.

Ms Lawton said the job was extremely rewarding and visitors treated the area respectfully, for the most part.

Ranger-in-charge Lindie Pasma said despite signage, people had continued to illegally jump barriers and post photos on social media.

Ms Pasma said people were entering culturally significant sites and putting their lives at risk by standing on cliff edges.

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