This week marks 50 years of NAIDOC week and we honour the First Nations people’s deep and enduring connection to Country and Traditional Knowledge. Combined they play a vital role in protecting Australia’s unique plants, animals and ecosystems.
This year’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, is a profound reminder of the importance of nurturing young leaders. We create and support opportunities that help First Nations communities to pass on Traditional Knowledge to sustain the perpetual stewardship of Land and Sea.
As part of our school engagement activities for First Nations students, our Biosecurity Officers visit classrooms in northern Australian to talk about how exotic and invasive pests, diseases and weeds can harm our environment. Using our tailored classroom resources we teach kids how to recognise and report anything unusual.
We also proudly support the Caring for Country Music Competition – an innovative way to deliver the biosecurity message to the creative community. Musicians and dancers are invited to participate in the competition run by MusicNT in collaboration with the Northern Territory Government and Anima Co. Entries open Monday 14 July and close Sunday 5 October.
Through trainees and apprenticeship programs we are also investing in the next generation of First Nations biosecurity leaders. In late July, 5 First Nations trainees will graduate with a Certificate III in Government, marking a significant step in their professional journey.
Support also continues through our grants programs.
From 1 July 2025 the Future Drought Fund’s Strengthening Drought Resilience on Country, will invest $12 million in First Nations-led, community-driven projects. These projects will build resilience to dry times and climate impacts - by Mob, for Mob.
Delivery partners will work with First Nations communities to identify and co-design projects and manage the distribution of funds for economic, environment and social activities that build resilience to drought.
From school programs and traineeships to funding grants, we’re backing the next generation of First Nation’s leaders.
