Out on Country with...Khairyn Briggs

Meet young Gumbaynggirr and Yuin man Khairyn Briggs. All set to finish school in year 10, life changed when he secured a Junior Ranger traineeship. Now 18, Khairyn not only finished school, but found a job that transformed his life.

I’m 18 and work as a Gumbaynggirr Ranger for Ngiyambandigay Wajaarr Aboriginal Corporation. I'm from the Coffs Harbour region.

I'm Gumbaynggirr and Yuin, I grew up around Sandy Beach area and lived there for most of my life.

Gumbaynggirr Sea Country. Photo: Annette Ruzicka.

At school, I was in one of the classes that were supposed to push us out of the school after year 10. I was looking for a job that was more on Country, and that's when this popped upfor a school Junior Ranger traineeship.

Gumbanyggirr Rangers

I couldn't ask for a better job. We do sea grass monitoring, fish ID, we do IMOS drops (a sea temperature data logger).

Gumbaynggirr Rangers Anthony Walker and Khairyn Briggs conduct quadrat sampling for quality analysis. Photo: Annette Ruzicka.

If we're doing on Country (land-based), we have (night) cameras for koalas to see any type of wildlife out at Bollanolla Farm.

My favourite part of the job is being able to be on Country and gain knowledge. I really love the marine side of it the most. I love seeing the animals, being able to be in the water and have that connection.

Rangers Khairyn Briggs and Della Byrnes head out on Sea Country on the ranger vessel. Photo: Annette Ruzicka.

For me, my challenges are social anxiety. I struggle with being around community, I’m getting better at it, but I'd say that's the part I struggle with.

At the start of my traineeship, we were partnered up with the other Rangers. Greg who I was partnered with was a good mentor, and he's taught me a lot of lessons. I've got a lot of knowledge from him.

On Sea Country - Greg Purcell, Kieran Marshall and Khairyn Briggs. Photo: Annette Ruzicka.

Out on Country

All of our Country is very special. If you're looking for a nice, calm place, you choose Sawtell. If you're looking for beaches that have waves in Coffs you've got Diggers. The fact that I get to work on Country every single day is a blessing.

Gumbaynggirr Ranger Team L to R: Katrina Widders, Anthony Walker, Amanda Williams, Greg Purcell, Della Byrne, Khairyn Briggs, Kieran Marshall. Photo: Annette Ruzicka.

In the future I'd like to be doing the exact same thing. At school, I wasn't doing the best, but my advice to other young people would be that if you’re in school stick it through. If you could get a job like this, you'd be so happy. It is an amazing job. I couldn't be happier with what I'm doing right now, so I'd love to be doing this in a couple of years.

Country and people work together. We need Country to survive off, we need food, shelter… and Country needs us to look after it as well.

'I couldn't be happier' - Khairyn Briggs. Photo: Annette Ruzicka.

We need to make sure that we're clearing weeds, making sure vegetation is okay. It's a 50/50, we work together.

- Khairyn J Briggs

KEY POINTS

18 year old Gumbaynggirr and Yuin man Khairyn Briggs became a ranger through the Junior Ranger program at his school.
Once set to finish school at year 10, the ranger program helped him complete school and find a job that would transform his life.
Khairyn loves being out on Country, gaining knowledge and doing marine work the best.

Indigenous rangers junior ranger gumbaynggirr coffs harbour nsw sea country ngiyambandigay wajaarr out on country

Country Needs People is a national not-for-profit organisation born from the support of hundreds of Traditional Owners around the country.

We pay our respects to all the First Nations people around Australia and their unbroken commitment to keep Country strong on land and sea. We acknowledge Indigenous partners, Traditional Owners, Elders past, present and emerging and extend our appreciation of their support and guidance of our daily work.

ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE, ABORIGINAL LAND.