Margaret Gebadi says she has the best job in the world! Since 2015 she has worked as a Ranger with Apudthama Land and Sea Rangers then eight months into the program she was promoted to Senior Ranger – Team Leader. Margaret is responsible for the management of the program and, together with the team, works on such projects as weed control, feral animal management, turtle protection, checking swimming holes for water quality, crocodile management, and carrying out patrols to check for illegal vessels in the region’s waters.

Margaret and the Rangers are also involved in cultural heritage management. Part of this work includes the sealing off of areas where middens are discovered.

Prior to her Senior Ranger position, Margaret worked in a part-time position as Project Coordinator for Training and Employment under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative with Northern Peninsula Area (NPAFACS) Family and Community Services, and from 2011-2015 she was Student Attendance Officer at the NPA State High School.

Margaret is studying Cert IV in Frontline Management, and has previously completed her Coxswain Certificate, the Excelling Leadership Course, and the Skilling Leadership Course through the Cape York Leaders’ Program. She holds a gun license, is a member of Australian Conservation Foundation, the GEMNA Women’s Group in Seisia which is a sister organisation to NPAFACS, and the recently formed Atambaya Corporation.

Her Country is Atambaya in Central Cape York, and her Clan group is Utaga. Her blood ties also connect her to the Samu Clan of Saibai Island Torres Strait.  In addition to raising her own son, Margaret has also raised five other boys.

Margaret enjoys volunteering in her community especially when it comes to cultural & family events.

Margaret is passionate about looking after Country and advocating for her people, and gets great pleasure from seeing her people become empowered.