In partnership with the International Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Foundation (IWSH), 13 Reece Foundation volunteers travelled to Central Arnhem Land recently to install four rainwater tanks, a filtration system to access bore water on site, and new water infrastructure throughout the Mimal Ranger Base.

Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation  (Mimal) is an independent, Indigenous-run not-for-profit that employs Rangers to care for and manage 20,000 square kilometres of diverse land systems in Central Arnhem Land. Through traditional practices like controlled burning, Mimal preserves diverse ecosystems while promoting cultural and environmental sustainability.

As a hub between the two remote communities of Bulman and Weemol, the Mimal Ranger Base has become a central meeting place providing cultural programs, community services and vocational education to the local community.

Maintaining these vital services requires reliable water infrastructure. With the hardness of the water reaching extreme levels, equipment and infrastructure were being damaged, creating challenges for the Base.

“The role of the Ranger Base goes beyond land management. It is a hub for the community and provides on-country learning programs and different services to support the community. But without water – good, safe, clean water – there isn’t a community. Having access to water solutions that are both safe and culturally appropriate is essential to helping our community thrive and delivering our Healthy Country Plan”. Michelle Dunscombe, Program Manager, Bidwern Butj Uni.

Due to its remote location, access to trade skills to support the upgrades to existing infrastructure also presents an ongoing challenge for the Base.

The water solution was co-designed with Mimal to ensure it met the needs of the community and supported the ambitions of their Healthy Country Plan.

Access and affordability of hiring trades is an ongoing issue for the community, so while the team of volunteers was up in Mimal they also supported with some small plumbing jobs around the community, like fixing toilets or leaky taps or installing toilets. Glenn, one of the Reece Foundation volunteers said, “This isn’t about making money out here. It’s about improving lives by simply using the skills we’ve been fortunate enough to learn. I feel quite fortunate to be able to give back.”

If you’d like to use your skills to make a difference and join the Reece Foundation on future projects, click HERE to learn more about the Foundation’s work.

Reece has expressed its thanks to all their suppliers who participated in this project.