NAIDOC Week 2025 has wrapped up, but it's still a time to reflect, listen and learn. The theme 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy' invites us to celebrate First Nations excellence and deepen our understanding of Country and culture.
Our On-Country Exchange program is a profound experience of connection to people, Country, culture, history and story. The program is a collaboration between Telstra Foundation, Telstra's First Nations Directorate and the Indigenous Desert Alliance. Led by Elders, Traditional Owners and the Rangers over five days, the team was immersed in the rhythms of the desert - tracking Malleefowl, gathering bush foods and medicines, visiting and learning about sacred sites and yarning around the fire.
This is the story of a team of employees who recently experienced this exchange.
We travelled to Morapoi Station on Wangkatha Country in the Goldfields of Western Australia, hosted by Traditional Owners and Rangers from Goldfields Aboriginal Community Services - Esperance Rangers.
Out here you lose yourself in the country - it's desert for as far as the eye can see. But it's much more than just sunburnt country. It has a whole life force connecting all its parts to each other in an incredible, networked system. It’s also off-grid, except for the much loved (and free) Telstra community phone - a literal digital lifeline for this community.
First Nations people have cared for this land for tens of thousands of years, passing down knowledge through generations to keep Culture and Country strong. Indigenous rangers continue this living legacy by sharing knowledge and practices to care for the desert. It's tough, hard work that carries deep responsibility built on generations of refined ways of working at a systems level.
When you take care of Country, Country takes care of you.
The longer you spend with rangers, the deeper you appreciate the meaning of this quote. And it's true, we all benefit from a healthy country.
All the ways we're helping First Nations Australians connect to each other from all corners of Country.
Yet, for all its awe (and ore), this remote desert Country is often overlooked. It’s a vast place that's home to some of the wealthiest mineral extraction businesses, but its communities face real disadvantage including digital exclusion.
The land carries scars of destruction: man-made wounds from the mining industry and trauma made by feral and introduced species that threaten native wildlife. The force of climate change will be felt hard in the desert as things heat up and water becomes scarce. However, amongst these challenges, it remains one of the most culturally and environmentally significant areas on the planet.
The On-Country Exchange program is built on a simple but transformative idea: deeper connection drives shared understanding and action. For me, this trip was a potent reminder that walking together is good for everyone and it starts with each of us. Connecting to the wisdom and strength of First Nations people, reinforced for me a vision for Australia where Indigenous voices are not only heard but also lead the way - that’s the future to embrace.
Telstra Foundation is proud to support young women rangers across remote Australia and this employee-led initiative is an extension of that commitment. As we celebrate NAIDOC Week, let’s continue to listen, connect and walk together.
All the ways we're working to support our First Nations customers: account help, community programs and connecting remote communities.
Telstra Foundation’s mission is to create a better-connected world for children and young people so they can live healthier lives online.
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